The Contrasting Behaviour Of Samuel and His Family (1 Samuel 2:18-21).
In total contrast the young Samuel, dressed similarly to a priest even though still a child, ministered before YHWH, and continued to grow in righteousness. He must have been both bewildered and grieved at what he saw. And no doubt he came in for some stick because of it. But in contrast with the house of Eli, Samuel's family were greatly blessed. It demonstrated that there were still some who looked faithfully to YHWH.
‘ But Samuel ministered before YHWH, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.'
“Samuel ministered before YHWH.” We are not told what Samuel's duties consisted of, but he clearly carried them out faithfully. And there in the Tabernacle he diligently served YHWH, and wore a linen ephod, which distinguished him as a ‘holy' child, a child set apart wholly to the worship of YHWH. An ephod was a garment which went over the head and covered the shoulders and was secured round the waist. It was mainly distinctive of the priests (1 Samuel 2:28; 1 Samuel 22:18), although it could be worn by others when engaged in sacred activities (2 Samuel 6:14). There was a special ephod for ‘the Priest' (the High Priest) or whoever was standing in for him (Exodus 28:6 ff). Thus the ephod demonstrated that Samuel was continually engaged in sacred duties. There is no suggestion, however, that he offered sacrifices at this stage.
‘ Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and used to bring it to him from year to year (literally ‘from days to days'), when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice (the sacrifice of days').'
The ‘little robe' was similar to the garment that ‘the Priest' wore under the ephod. A new one was brought by his mother every time that she attended the regular feasts, which she did regularly in order to offer a sacrifice through her husband. She never forgot her son, and she never neglected to worship YHWH.
‘ And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, “YHWH give you seed of this woman for the petition which was asked of YHWH.” And they went to their own home.
It would seem that Eli watched out for Samuel's parents and gave them his personal attention. No doubt Samuel had won his heart, and he was undoubtedly thankful to have him ministering in the Sanctuary. Thus when he offered sacrifice on their behalf he blessed Elkanah and his wife, and prayed that God would continue to answer her petition by giving her more children. And with that blessing they went to their own home.
‘ And YHWH visited Hannah, and she conceived, and bore three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before YHWH.'
And so partly in response to her prayer, and we are no doubt intended to see partly due to the blessing of the Priest, YHWH again ‘visited' Hannah, and the result was that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. God was giving her a family to fill the gap that Samuel's departure had unquestionably left. God is no man's debtor. Meanwhile her first child, Samuel, ‘grew before YHWH'. He grew in His presence both physically and spiritually, for he was separated totally to YHWH.