Gregory the Great, on 1Sam 3:19

“And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and not one of his words fell to the ground.”

“27. What does it mean that after Eli explained the vision, Samuel is said to have grown, except that the order of our teachers, after it repelled the sons of the Synagogue by the word, found a glory of greater reverence among the Gentiles? He grew, therefore, because he who first confined himself through the ministry of the word to one nation, afterward spread the fame of his holiness and teaching throughout the whole world. Whence it is also said through the Psalmist: "Their sound has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world" (Ps. 19:4). Again, speaking of the holy Church, he says: "Instead of your fathers, sons have been born to you; you shall make them princes over all the earth" (Ps. 45:16). He grew, therefore, when he shone throughout the whole world. The Lord is also said to have been with him, because everything that gave forth the fragrance of holy fame, everything that shone brightly through the word, he received from the presence of the Redeemer whom he had with him. For even if Paul by the word penetrates not only what is weak and earthly, but also what is highest and heavenly, he obtains this power of speaking from him whom he affirms to be with him, saying: "Do you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me" (2 Cor. 13:3)? For he who spoke in him was with him. He gives forth fragrance to the whole world through his life, but he draws the odor of life from him whom he reveals, saying: "We are the good fragrance of Christ in every place" (2 Cor. 2:15). John indicates that all things come from the presence of the Redeemer, for he says: "Of his fullness we have all received" (John 1:16). Therefore, when Samuel is said to have grown, the Lord is recalled as being with him, because when the order of teachers shone throughout the whole world with the grace of great holiness and teaching, it was able to appear so great because of him who did not abandon it while it was placed in the world. There follows: (Verse 20.) "And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was a faithful prophet of the Lord."”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.