16
And if the man said unto him, They will surely burn the fat first, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would say, Nay, but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
17
And the sin of the young men was very great before Jehovah; for the men despised the offering of Jehovah.
18
But Samuel ministered before Jehovah, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
19
Moreover his mother made him a little robe, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
20
And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, Jehovah give thee seed of this woman for the petition which was asked of Jehovah. And they went unto their own home.
21
And Jehovah visited Hannah, and she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before Jehovah.
22
Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did unto all Israel, and how that they lay with the women that did service at the door of the tent of meeting.
23
And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings from all this people.
24
Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make Jehovah's people to transgress.
25
If one man sin against another, God shall judge him; but if a man sin against Jehovah, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding, they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because Jehovah was minded to slay them.
26
And the child Samuel grew on, and increased in favor both with Jehovah, and also with men.