1 Samuel 2:26

26 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and with the 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.


FOOTNOTES:

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

1 Samuel 2:26 In-Context

24 No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad.
25 If one person sins against another, someone can intercede for the sinner with the Lord; but if someone sins against the Lord, who can make intercession?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father; for it was the will of the Lord to kill them.
26 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and with the people.
27 A man of God came to Eli and said to him, "Thus the Lord has said, "I revealed myself to the family of your ancestor in Egypt when they were slaves to the house of Pharaoh.
28 I chose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to offer incense, to wear an ephod before me; and I gave to the family of your ancestor all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.