Samuel’s Childhood Ministry

^18 (A)But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, ^(B)wearing a linen ephod. ¹⁹ Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she ^(C)came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. ²⁰ And Eli ^(D)would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “The Lord give you descendants from this woman for the ^[a]loan that was ^(E)given to the Lord.” Then they would go to their own home.

²⁶ And the child Samuel ^(A)grew in stature, and ^(B)in favor both with the Lord and men.

Praise to the Lord from Creation

Character of the New Man

¹² Therefore, ^(A)as the elect of God, holy and beloved, ^(B)put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ^13 (C)bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ^14 (D)But above all these things ^(E)put on love, which is the ^(F)bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And let ^(G)the peace of God rule in your hearts, ^(H)to which also you were called ^(I)in one body; and ^(J)be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another ^(K)in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And ^(L)whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars

⁴¹ His parents went to ^(A)Jerusalem ^(B)every year at the Feast of the Passover. ⁴² And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the ^(C)custom of the feast. ⁴³ When they had finished the ^(D)days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And ^[a]Joseph and His mother did not know it; ⁴⁴ but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. ⁴⁵ So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. ⁴⁶ Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And ^(E)all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. ⁴⁸ So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

⁴⁹ And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be ^(F)about ^(G)My Father’s business?” ⁵⁰ But ^(H)they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor

⁵¹ Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was ^[b]subject to them, but His mother ^(I)kept all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus ^(J)increased in wisdom and stature, ^(K)and in favor with God and men.