Christmas Season · First Sunday after Christmas Day · Year C
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
The Boy Samuel Ministers Before the Lord
December 26, 2027
Overview & Insights
"Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and with the people." (1 Samuel 2:26)
The child Samuel serves before the Lord at Shiloh wearing a linen ephod, while his mother Hannah visits yearly with a small robe she has made him. Samuel grows up in favor with God and with the people even as Eli's own sons act corruptly.
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Commentary
Working Preacher: Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 Working Preacher
Lutheran lectionary exegesis noting the parallel growth formulas for Samuel and Jesus.
CEP: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary linking Samuel's childhood service to Jesus' own growth.
Enduring Word: 1 Samuel 2 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.
StudyLight: 1 Samuel 2 Commentaries StudyLight
Many complete commentaries on 1 Samuel 2 gathered on one passage page.
BibleHub: Commentaries on 1 Samuel 2:18 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries keyed to Samuel's ephod and Hannah's yearly visit.
Background & Word Study
Sefaria: I Samuel 2 (Hebrew) Sefaria
Hebrew text with English and classical Jewish commentary on the passage.
BibleHub Interlinear: 1 Samuel 2:18 BibleHub
Hebrew text with parsing for the ephod and Hannah's yearly gift.
Enter the Bible: 1 Samuel Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on 1 Samuel and the rise of Samuel.
The Church Fathers
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