11
Then Elkanah went to his house at Ramah. But the child ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest.
12
Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the Lord.
13
And the priests' custom with the people was that when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged fleshhook in his hand while the meat was boiling.
14
Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; and the priest would take for himself all that the fleshhook brought up. So they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there.
15
Also, before they burned the fat, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who sacrificed, "Give meat for roasting to the priest, for he will not take boiled meat from you, but raw."
16
And if the man said to him, "They should really burn the fat first; then you may take as much as your heart desires," he would then answer him, "No, but you must give it now; and if not, I will take it by force."
17
Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.
18
But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod.
19
Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
20
And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, "The Lord give you descendants from this woman for the loan that was given to the Lord." Then they would go to their own home.
21
And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the Lord.
22
Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
23
So he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people.
24
No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the Lord's people transgress.
25
If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?" Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the Lord desired to kill them.
26
And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men.