17
Wherefore 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, [being] a child, girded with a linen ephod.
19
Moreover his mother made him a little coat, 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, The LORD give thee issue of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went to their own home.
21
And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bore three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
22
Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did to all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
23
And he said to them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.
24
No, my sons; for [it is] no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD'S people to transgress.
25
If one man shall sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man shall sin against the LORD, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not to the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.
26
And the child Samuel continued to grow, and was in favor both with the LORD, and also with men.
27
And there came a man of God to Eli, and said to him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear to the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?