1 Samuel 2:26

26 And the child Samuel kept on growing and was in favour both with the LORD and also with men.

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, for it is no good report that I hear that ye cause the people of the LORD to transgress.

25 If one man sins against another, the judges shall judge him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they did not hearken unto the voice of their father because the LORD had already decided to kill them.

26 And the child Samuel kept on growing and was in favour both with the LORD and also with men.

27 And a man of God came unto Eli and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I not plainly appear unto the house of thy father when they were in Egypt in the house of Pharaoh?

28 And I chose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me, and I gave unto the house of thy father all the offerings on fire of the sons of Israel.