"Ministering Before Jehovah as a Boy"

 Samuel had an unusual childhood. Shortly after he was weaned, at perhaps three years of age or a little more, he began a life of service at the sacred tabernacle of Jehovah at Shiloh, over 20 miles from his home in Ramah. His parents Elkanah and Hannah, dedicated the boy to Jehovah in a special form of service, making him a lifelong Nazirite. Did this mean that Samuel was cast off, unloved by his parents?

Far from it! They knew that their son would be cared for at Shiloh. High Priest Eli no doubt supervised matters, for Samuel worked closely with him. There was also a number of women who served in some connection with the tabernacle, evidently in an organized way. - EXODUS 38:8; JUDGES 11:34-40. 

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