1 Samuel 2:18 Meaning and Explanation
“But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →In quiet contrast to the corrupt priests, the child Samuel faithfully ministered before the Lord, dressed in a linen ephod.
What Does 1 Samuel 2:18 Mean?
After the dark account of Eli's sons, the narrative returns to Samuel with a deliberate 'But.' While grown priests dishonored God, this child 'ministered before the LORD,' clothed in the linen ephod of one who served at the sanctuary.
The contrast could not be sharper: a small boy was more faithful than the appointed priests. Samuel's simple, obedient service shines against their corruption. God's purposes were quietly advancing not through the powerful but through a child who honored him. Faithfulness is not measured by age or rank but by a heart that ministers truly before the Lord.
1 Samuel 2:18 in the Original Language
ephod (אֵפוֹד), 'ephod' -- a sleeveless linen garment worn by those who served at the sanctuary.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 2:18
What does 1 Samuel 2:18 mean?
In quiet contrast to the corrupt priests, the child Samuel faithfully ministered before the Lord, dressed in a linen ephod.