The Child in the Ephod

Narrator: Ivona Gentwo
 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 10
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It is somewhat startling to read in 1 Samuel 2:1818But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. (1 Samuel 2:18) that the child Samuel was “girded with a linen ephod”; for Samuel, although a Levite, was not of the priestly house. Only one other person outside the family of Aaron is ever spoken of as wearing an ephod
- David, on the occasion of his bringing up the Ark of the Lord from Kirjath-Jearim to Zion (2 Sam. 6:1414And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. (2 Samuel 6:14)). These circumstances make the Lord’s change of attitude towards Israel more vivid. The Aaronic priesthood under the head continued to perform its functions on behalf of the people in the sanctuary, but the high priest was no longer the medium of communication from the Lord. Samuel and David, prophet and king, symbolize the glorious One who is coming, in whom all the offices that man's need requires will be blessedly combined.
In a solemn message to Eli by an unnamed man of God, the Lord confirmed the promise of a king and showed plainly where the priesthood would stand thenceforward. “I will raise Me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in Mine heart and in My mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before Mine anointed forever” (1 Sam 2:35). Let the reader compare this with Numbers 27:18-2318And the Lord said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; 19And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. 20And thou shalt put some of thine honor upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. 21And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the Lord: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation. 22And Moses did as the Lord commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: 23And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses. (Numbers 27:18‑23). There Joshua is bidden to “stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the Lord: at his word (i.e. Eleazar's word) shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in.” Now the priest, although faithful, and working according to the Lord’s mind and heart must walk before the king. Moreover, the title “the anointed,” hitherto understood to refer to the High Priest, should henceforward belong to the king.