^18 (A)Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy ^(B)clothed with a linen ephod. ¹⁹ And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year ^(C)when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. ²⁰ Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the Lord give you children by this woman ^(D)for the petition she asked of the Lord.” So then they would return to their home.

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