1 Samuel 2:11-26

1 Samuel 2:11-26

[11] And Elkanah  to Ramah  to his house.  And the child  did  minister  unto the LORD  before  Eli  the priest.  [12] Now the sons  of Eli  were sons  of Belial;  they knew  not the LORD.  [13] And the priests'  custom  with the people  was, that, when any man  offered  sacrifice,  the priest's  servant  came,  while the flesh  was in seething,  with a fleshhook  of three  teeth  in his hand;  [14] And he struck  it into the pan,  or kettle,  or caldron,  or pot;  all that the fleshhook  brought up  the priest  took  for himself. So they did  in Shiloh  unto all the Israelites  that came  thither. [15] Also before they burnt  the fat,  the priest's  servant  came,  and said  to the man  that sacrificed,  Give  flesh  to roast  for the priest;  for he will not have  sodden  flesh  of thee, but raw.  [16] And if any man  said  unto him, Let them not fail  the fat  presently,  and then take  as much as thy soul  then he would answer  him, Nay; but thou shalt give  it me now: and if not, I will take  it by force.  [17] Wherefore the sin  of the young men  was very  great  before  the LORD:  for men  abhorred  the offering  of the LORD.  [18] But Samuel  ministered  before  the LORD,  being a child,  girded  with a linen  ephod.  [19] Moreover his mother  made  him a little  coat,  and brought  it to him from year  when she came up  with her husband  to offer  the yearly  sacrifice.  [20] And Eli  blessed  Elkanah  and his wife,  and said,  The LORD  give  thee seed  of this woman  for the loan  which is lent  to the LORD.  And they went  unto their own home.  [21] And  the LORD  visited  Hannah,  so that she conceived,  and bare  three  sons  and two  daughters.  And the child  Samuel  grew  before  the LORD.  [22] Now Eli  was very  old,  and heard  all that his sons  did  unto all Israel;  and how they lay  with the women  that assembled  at the door  of the tabernacle  of the congregation.  [23] And he said  unto them, Why do  ye such things?  for I hear  of your evil  dealings  by all this people.  [24] Nay, my sons;  for it is no good  report  that I hear:  ye make the LORD'S  people  to transgress.  [25] If one man  sin  against another,  the judge  shall judge  him: but if a man  sin  against the LORD,  who shall intreat  for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened  not unto the voice  of their father,  because the LORD  would  slay  them. [26] And the child  Samuel  grew  on,  and was in favour  both with the LORD,