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Commentary on "Hannah: Learning to Be Someone"
Day 7: Friday, October 15, 2010 - Further Study
Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD, as a boy wearing a linen ephod. And his mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him from year to year when she would come up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, ‘May the LORD give you children from this woman in place of the one she dedicated to the LORD.’ And they went to their own home. The LORD visited Hannah; and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew before the LORD. 1 Sam 2:18-21 NASU
Samuel wore a linen ephod (literally “was girded with”) like the priests who served at the Tabernacle. The ephod was a blue linen garment which was worn over the white linen robe. It was held in place with a belt. This was a priestly garment, and Samuel was not a priest; he was a Levite. Why would he wear an ephod like a priest? King David also wore a linen robe and an ephod when he rejoiced and worshipped before the Lord as they brought the ark into Jerusalem. He was the king – not a priest – from the tribe of Judah, yet he wore an ephod as he worshipped before the Lord.
Now David was clothed with a robe of fine linen with all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and the singers and Chenaniah the leader of the singing with the singers. David also wore an ephod of linen. 1 Chronicles 15:27 NASU
Although Samuel and King David were not priests, they wore the garments of the priests, including the ephod, while they ministered to the Lord. God had commanded that these garments would be worn by those who ministered before Him. (Exodus 35:19)
Our passage ends with the words “…the boy Samuel grew before the Lord.” 1 Samuel 2:21. The Bible is not merely noting that Samuel was “growing up,” but that Samuel was growing and maturing in every way. “Now the boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with the LORD and with men.” 1 Sam 2:26 NASU
In this little detail, Samuel is a type of the Messiah! “And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52 NASU Samuel was also growing in the people’s respect, and they were recognizing that God had raised him up to be a prophet. “And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.
And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD.
And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD.” 1 Sam 3:19-21 ESV
Hannah had prayed for a son, but God had something much more in mind. God moved on Hannah to pray for a son and then give him back to the Lord. God’s great plan was that Samuel would be a prophet and judge to bring the people back to the Lord and to bring God’s word to the people. It was a pivotal point in Israel’s history, and God was faithful to move circumstances and the heart of Hannah to accomplish His purpose in His promised plan to bring forth a king, “a man after God’s own heart” through whom the promised Savior/King would come.
Summary
- Samuel wore a linen ephod like the priests, but he was not a priest; he was a Levite.
- David, later, also wore a priestly ephod.
- Although Samuel and David were not priests, they wore priestly garments because they ministered to the Lord.
- Hannah had prayed for a son; God gave her more.
- God raised up a prophet for Israel who was a type of Christ, and Hannah was the blessed mother of this miracle baby who grew to be God’s messenger during a pivotal time in Israel’s history.
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