1 Samuel 2:26

26 The boy Samuel continued to grow stronger. He also became more and more pleasing to the LORD and to people.

1 Samuel 2:26 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 2:26

And the child Samuel grew up
Increased in stature and in grace, grew more and more in all respects, and better and better, while Eli's sons grew worse and worse; the contrast between these make the one to shine and appear illustrious, and the other to look the blacker: or "he went on, and grew, and was good" ^F26; as he proceeded on in years, and grew in stature, he appeared more and more to be a good man, a virtuous, holy, and gracious person:

and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men;
the Lord was pleased to give him some tokens of his favour, that he delighted in him, that he was wellpleasing in his sight, and that his person and services were acceptable to him; and the more Eli's sons disgusted the people by their ill lives and conduct, the greater esteem among them did Samuel obtain by his becoming life and conversation; all admired him, spoke well of him, and thanked God that in such bad times he was raising up one among them, of whom they had the most hopeful prospect of usefulness to them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 (bwjw ldgw Klh) "ambulans, et grandescens et bonus", Montanus; so Vatablus & Drusius.

1 Samuel 2:26 In-Context

24 No, my sons. The report I hear isn't good. And it's spreading among the LORD's people.

25 If a man sins against someone else, God can help that sinner. But if a man sins against the Lord, who can help him?" In spite of what their father Eli said, his sons didn't pay any attention to his warning. That's because the LORD had already decided to put them to death.

26 The boy Samuel continued to grow stronger. He also became more and more pleasing to the LORD and to people.

27 A man of God came to Eli. He told him, "The LORD says, 'I made myself clearly known to your relatives who lived long ago. I did it when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh.

28 I chose your father Aaron to be my priest. I chose him out of all of the tribes of Israel. I told him to go up to my altar. I told him to burn incense. I chose him to wear a linen apron when he served me. I also gave his family all of the offerings that are made with fire by the people of Israel.