1 Samuel 2:18-26

18But Samuel served the Lord faithfully, as a young boy. He wore a linen ephod.

19Every year, Samuel's mother made a little coat for him. She took it to him when she went to Shiloh. She and her husband went there every year to offer their sacrifice to God.

20Each year, Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife. He said, ‘I pray that the Lord will give you more children to take the place of Samuel. Hannah has given her son to serve the Lord, so may she give birth to other children too.’ Then they would return to their own home.

21The Lord blessed Hannah. She gave birth to three more sons and two daughters. The boy Samuel continued to grow as he served at the Lord's house in Shiloh.

22Eli was very old now. He heard about everything that his sons were doing to all the Israelites. He knew that his sons had sex with some of the women helpers. Those women worked at the door of the Tent of Meeting.

23Eli said to his sons, ‘People have told me about all the evil things that you do.

24No, my sons, you should not do these terrible things. The Lord's people all complain about you.

25If you do something bad to another person, God can speak on your behalf. But if you do something bad against the Lord, nobody can speak on your behalf.’ Eli's sons did not listen to their father. The Lord had already decided to kill them.

26The young boy Samuel continued to grow. The Lord was pleased with him, and so were the people.