What Does 1 Samuel 2:18 Mean in the King James?

But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.

1 Samuel 2:18 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Samuel is already serving in the LORD’s presence while still a child; the verse holds service and childhood together.

THE MEANING

Samuel ministers before the LORD, clothed in a linen ephod, and remains a child. His age and his service coexist in the same moment.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The verse loosens the belief that nearness to God or sacred service must wait until adulthood.

THE ROOT

מְשָׁרֵת

mesharet

GROWS FROM

שרת

To serve, minister, or attend.

The word behind “ministered” is ⁨מְשָׁרֵת⁩ (mesharet), “one serving” or “attendant”; it presents Samuel as actively serving in the LORD’s presence. The root’s attendant forms keep the sense of service before someone, giving “ministered” a relational depth as well as describing an action.

ALSO GROWS

mesharet: One serving; an attendant or minister.

מְשָׁרֵת

This form describes Samuel as someone actively serving, not merely carrying a title.

shēret: He served or attended.

שֵׁרֵת

This verb form expresses the same root as an act of service, illuminating the ongoing service conveyed by the form used for Samuel.

THE PATTERN

Scripture presents service as active attendance that can be carried by a child, a people, or the Son of Man for many.

And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

1 Samuel 3:1 · KJVSamuel is again called a child while ministering, holding youth and service together.

At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.

Deuteronomy 10:8 · KJVThe Levites’ service is described as standing before the LORD and ministering to him.

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45 · KJVHere the Son of Man’s service takes the form of giving his life for many.

THE THREAD

And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.

Exodus 24:13 · KJV

Joshua is called Moses’ minister with the same root, ⁨שרת⁩ (sharat), meaning “serve” or “attend.” That shared root lets Samuel’s ministry read as active attendance within a relationship of presence.

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