1 Samuel 3:10

KJV

And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} came {H935}, and stood {H3320}, and called {H7121} as at other times {H6471}, Samuel {H8050}, Samuel {H8050}. Then Samuel {H8050} answered {H559}, Speak {H1696}; for thy servant {H5650} heareth {H8085}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI came and stood, then spoke as at the other times: "Sh'mu'el! Sh'mu'el!"Then Sh'mu'el said, "Speak; your servant is listening."

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

American Standard Version

And Jehovah came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel said, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 3:10 marks the pivotal moment of divine revelation and human response, where the LORD directly addresses young Samuel, and Samuel, now instructed by Eli, humbly acknowledges God's voice and expresses his readiness to listen. This encounter signifies the true inauguration of Samuel's prophetic ministry, establishing him as God's chosen messenger for a new era in Israel and underscoring the profound importance of spiritual attentiveness and obedient submission to divine communication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of a short but crucial narrative arc within [1 Samuel chapter 3](/1_samuel/3 "1 Samuel 3 - Samuel's Call"). The chapter opens by lamenting the scarcity of God's word and visions in Israel during that time, setting a backdrop of spiritual famine ([1 Samuel 3:1](/1_samuel/3-1 "1 Samuel 3:1 - The Word of the LORD Was Rare")). Prior to this verse, God had called Samuel three times (at [1 Samuel 3:4](/1_samuel/3-4 "1 Samuel 3:4 - God Calls Samuel"), [1 Samuel 3:6](/1_samuel/3-6 "1 Samuel 3:6 - God Calls Samuel Again"), and [1 Samuel 3:8](/1_samuel/3-8 "1 Samuel 3:8 - God Calls Samuel a Third Time")), but Samuel, unfamiliar with the divine voice, mistakenly attributed the calls to Eli. It is Eli, despite his own spiritual failings and the corruption of his sons, who demonstrates a moment of spiritual discernment, realizing it is the LORD calling the boy. Eli then instructs Samuel on the proper response ([1 Samuel 3:9](/1_samuel/3-9 "1 Samuel 3:9 - Eli Instructs Samuel")), directly leading to Samuel's humble and pivotal reply in verse 10. This sequence highlights the divine persistence and the role of mentorship in spiritual discernment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described in [the book of Judges](/judges "The Book of Judges") and the early chapters of 1 Samuel was characterized by significant spiritual and moral decline in Israel. The central sanctuary at Shiloh, where Samuel served under Eli, was meant to be the heart of Israel's worship, but the priesthood under Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, was notoriously corrupt, bringing contempt upon the LORD's offerings ([1 Samuel 2:12-17](/1_samuel/2-12 "1 Samuel 2:12-17 - The Wickedness of Eli's Sons")). In this context of moral decay and prophetic silence, God's direct intervention to call Samuel is particularly striking. It signals God's intention to raise up a new, faithful leader and prophet to guide His people, bypassing the corrupt existing structures. The setting within the tabernacle, where Samuel slept near the Ark of the Covenant, emphasizes the sacred space where divine communication was expected, yet had become rare.

* **Key Themes:** [1 Samuel 3:10](/1_samuel/3-10 "1 Samuel 3:10 - Samuel Responds to God's Call") encapsulates several profound themes. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Initiative and Persistence**, as God repeatedly calls Samuel, demonstrating His unwavering desire to communicate and establish His will, even when His voice is initially unrecognized. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Spiritual Discernment**, illustrating that recognizing God's voice may require guidance from others, as Eli's counsel was crucial for Samuel. Thirdly, the verse showcases **Humble Obedience and Readiness**, with Samuel's response, "Speak; for thy servant heareth," embodying a posture of complete submission and willingness to receive and act upon divine instruction. This attitude is foundational for any relationship with God and for effective service. Finally, this moment marks **The Call to Prophetic Ministry**, formally initiating Samuel's lifelong role as a prophet, judge, and king-maker in Israel, setting the stage for a new era of leadership and the eventual establishment of the monarchy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yahweh_):** This is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, relational, and active presence. The use of _Yahweh_ here signifies that the God of Israel's covenant, the one who delivered them from Egypt and established them as His people, is personally intervening to call Samuel. It highlights the divine authority and intimate nature of the call.
* **Stood (Hebrew, _ʿamad_):** While often meaning simply "to stand," in this context, _ʿamad_ implies a purposeful, intentional presence. It suggests God's deliberate and sustained engagement with Samuel, not a fleeting appearance, but a firm and attentive posture, ready to deliver a significant message. This "standing" conveys a sense of divine patience and resolve in securing Samuel's attention.
* **Heareth (Hebrew, _shemaʿ_):** This crucial Hebrew verb means far more than merely perceiving sound. _Shemaʿ_ encompasses the idea of listening attentively, understanding, and, most importantly, obeying. Samuel's declaration "thy servant heareth" is not just an acknowledgment of sound, but a profound commitment to heed and act upon whatever God reveals. It signifies a posture of active, obedient reception, which is central to the covenant relationship between God and His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel."**: This opening clause emphasizes God's active and deliberate initiation of the encounter. The LORD's "coming" and "standing" denote a purposeful, personal presence. The phrase "called as at other times" highlights God's persistence and consistent method of calling, underscoring that it was Samuel's lack of recognition, not God's method, that caused the initial confusion. The repetition of "Samuel, Samuel" is a powerful rhetorical device, conveying urgency, intimacy, and a direct, personal address, ensuring Samuel understands he is specifically and emphatically being called by name.
* **"Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth."**: This is Samuel's pivotal response, indicating his newfound spiritual discernment and profound humility. "Speak" is an invitation for God to reveal His will, demonstrating Samuel's readiness to receive divine communication. The declaration "for thy servant heareth" is a profound statement of submission and obedience. It signifies not just an auditory perception, but a heart and will prepared to listen, understand, and act upon God's word. This response marks Samuel's transition from an unwitting servant to a conscious and willing instrument of God's purposes.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** is prominently featured in the double calling of "Samuel, Samuel," which serves to emphasize the directness, urgency, and personal nature of God's address, ensuring the message is received and understood. This form of address is often used in the Bible for significant moments of calling or warning. The description of God "came, and stood" can be seen as a form of **Theophany**, a visible or audible manifestation of God, though subtle here, it indicates a direct, personal divine presence rather than an indirect communication. The entire verse is structured as a **Dialogue** between God and Samuel, highlighting the relational aspect of God's interaction with humanity and the necessity of human response. Finally, Samuel's response, "thy servant heareth," is rich in **Symbolism**, representing not just physical hearing but spiritual attentiveness, humility, and complete obedience—a posture essential for anyone called to serve God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 3:10 is a foundational text for understanding the nature of divine calling and human response. It reveals God's active pursuit of individuals for His purposes, even in times of spiritual darkness, and underscores that God's word, though sometimes initially unrecognized, is persistent and clear. The verse emphasizes the necessity of a humble and obedient heart to receive divine instruction, positioning Samuel as a prototype of the faithful servant. This encounter establishes the principle that true spiritual authority and prophetic ministry stem from a direct, personal encounter with God and a willingness to submit entirely to His voice. It sets the stage for God to speak through Samuel, restoring prophetic guidance to Israel.

* [Isaiah 6:8](/isaiah/6-8 "Isaiah 6:8 - Isaiah's Willing Response") - "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me."
* [Luke 11:28](/luke/11-28 "Luke 11:28 - Blessed Are Those Who Hear and Obey") - "But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it."
* [Hebrews 3:7-8](/hebrews/3-7 "Hebrews 3:7-8 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts") - "Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound encounter in 1 Samuel 3:10 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God is actively speaking, and our primary task is to cultivate a heart attuned to His voice. Just as Samuel initially struggled to discern God, we too may need patience, discernment, and the wise counsel of spiritual mentors to recognize divine communication, whether it comes through the Scriptures, prayer, the Holy Spirit's promptings, or the guidance of the Christian community. The verse challenges us to move beyond mere auditory perception to a posture of deep listening and humble obedience, echoing Samuel's "Speak; for thy servant heareth." This readiness to submit our will to God's is essential for spiritual growth and for fulfilling the unique purposes He has for each of us. It calls us to a life of active reception, where we are not just hearers of the word, but doers, prepared to respond with faith and action to whatever God reveals.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might God be speaking to me that I am currently failing to discern or recognize?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more receptive and obedient heart, like Samuel's, in my daily life?**
* **Who are the "Eli figures" in my life whose wisdom and spiritual discernment can help me better hear God's voice?**
* **How does my response to God's word reflect a true "hearing" (shema) that leads to obedience and action?**

### FAQ
**Why did Samuel not recognize God's voice initially, even though God called him three times?**

Answer: Samuel was very young, likely around 12 years old, and had not yet had a personal, direct encounter with the LORD as a prophet. [1 Samuel 3:7](/1_samuel/3-7 "1 Samuel 3:7 - Samuel Did Not Yet Know the LORD") explicitly states, "Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him." This indicates a lack of experience with divine communication. He was accustomed to Eli's voice, and in the dark of night, it was natural for him to assume the calls were from his master. It was Eli, with his greater spiritual experience, who eventually discerned the divine origin of the calls and instructed Samuel on how to respond ([1 Samuel 3:8-9](/1_samuel/3-8 "1 Samuel 3:8-9 - Eli's Counsel to Samuel")). This highlights that spiritual discernment is often a learned process, sometimes requiring guidance.

**What is the significance of God calling Samuel by name twice ("Samuel, Samuel")?**

Answer: The repetition of a name in biblical narrative is a significant literary device used to convey urgency, intimacy, and a direct, personal address. It emphasizes that the call is specifically for that individual and requires their immediate and full attention. Examples include Abraham's call ([Genesis 22:11](/genesis/22-11 "Genesis 22:11 - Abraham, Abraham!")), Moses' call ([Exodus 3:4](/exodus/3-4 "Exodus 3:4 - Moses, Moses!")), and Martha's warning from Jesus ([Luke 10:41](/luke/10-41 "Luke 10:41 - Martha, Martha!")). In Samuel's case, it underlines the profound importance of this moment as the beginning of his prophetic ministry and God's personal selection of him. It ensures Samuel understands that this is no ordinary call, but a direct divine summons.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 3:10, with Samuel's humble and obedient response, "Speak; for thy servant heareth," profoundly foreshadows the ultimate example of perfect obedience found in Jesus Christ. While Samuel became a faithful prophet who heard and delivered God's word to Israel, Jesus is the very Word of God incarnate ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")). Unlike Samuel, who had to learn to discern God's voice, Jesus perfectly embodied the divine will, always doing what pleased the Father ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases the Father")). His entire life was a living "Speak; for thy servant heareth," culminating in His ultimate submission to the Father's will in the Garden of Gethsemane ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")) and His sacrifice on the cross. Through Christ, believers are given the Holy Spirit, enabling them to hear and obey God's voice, as Jesus promised His sheep would know His voice ([John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice")). Thus, Samuel's pivotal moment of listening and responding points forward to the One who perfectly heard, perfectly obeyed, and through whom all who believe can now truly hear and respond to God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 3:8

And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here [am] I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.

1 Samuel 3:4

That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here [am] I.

1 Samuel 3:6

And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here [am] I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.