1 Samuel 2:18-26

18Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy clothed with a linen ephod.

19And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

20Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, "May the Lord give you children by this woman for the petition she asked of the Lord." So then they would return to their home.

21Indeed the Lord visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord.

22Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

23And he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people.

24No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad.

25If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death.

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