1 Samuel 2:18

18 But Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod.

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1 Samuel 2:18 in Other Translations

KJV

18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.

ESV

18 Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy clothed with a linen ephod.

NLT

18 But Samuel, though he was only a boy, served the LORD . He wore a linen garment like that of a priest.

MSG

18 In the midst of all this, Samuel, a boy dressed in a priestly linen tunic, served God.

CSB

18 The boy Samuel served in the Lord's presence and wore a linen ephod.

1 Samuel 2:18 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 2:18

But Samuel ministered before the Lord
The ministration of Samuel, though a child, is observed both before and after the account of the ill behaviour and wickedness of Eli's sons; partly to the shame and disgrace of them, and as serving to aggravate their sin, and make it appear the more black and heinous; and partly to his honour and reputation, that he was not corrupted and turned aside from God by their evil practices. The phrase here used is different from that in ( 1 Samuel 2:11 ) there he is said to minister before Eli, under his direction and guidance, but here before the Lord; being now engaged in higher services, and which he could perform without the assistance of Eli, as in the presence of God more immediately; it seems to have respect to him when more grown in age, stature, knowledge, and experience, though here related: yet still being "a child"; not got out of his childhood, or arrived to manhood:

girded with a linen ephod;
such as priests used to wear, but not Levites in common, nor extraordinary persons on extraordinary occasions, see ( 1 Samuel 22:18 ) ( 2 Samuel 6:14 ) . This seems to be a peculiar favour, and a special honour which Eli granted to Samuel when so very young, on account of the grace of God bestowed on him in a wonderful manner; and because brought up in the tabernacle as a holy person, and a Nazarite; and because his birth was foretold, and he asked of God, as his name signified, as Procopius Gazaeus observes.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

1 Samuel 2:18 In-Context

16 If the person said to him, “Let the fat be burned first, and then take whatever you want,” the servant would answer, “No, hand it over now; if you don’t, I’ll take it by force.”

17 This sin of the young men was very great in the LORD’s sight, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt.

18 But Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod.

19 Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.

20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the LORD give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the LORD.” Then they would go home.