Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Samuel 2:19

"Moreover his mother made him a little robe, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice." — 1 Samuel 2:19 (ASV)

A little coat.—The “little coat”—Hebrew, m’il—no doubt closely resembled in shape the m’il, or robe apparently worn by the high priest, only the little m’il of Samuel was without the costly symbolic ornaments attached to the high priest's robe.

This strange, unusual dress no doubt was arranged for the boy by his protector and guardian, Eli, who regarded the child as destined for some great work in connection with the life of the chosen people. Quite probably, the old man, also well aware of the character of his own sons, hoped to train the favored child—whose connection with himself and the sanctuary had begun in so remarkable a manner—as his successor in the chief sacred and civil office in Israel.