1 Samuel 3:15

KJV

And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Samuel {H8050} lay {H7901} until the morning {H1242}, and opened {H6605} the doors {H1817} of the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}. And Samuel {H8050} feared {H3372} to shew {H5046} Eli {H5941} the vision {H4759}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sh'mu'el lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of ADONAI. But Sh'mu'el was afraid to tell 'Eli the vision.

Berean Standard Bible

Samuel lay down until the morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision,

American Standard Version

And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of Jehovah. And Samuel feared to show Eli the vision.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 3:15 captures a poignant moment in young Samuel's life immediately following his first direct encounter with God, where he received a devastating prophecy concerning Eli's household. The verse portrays Samuel's diligent return to his daily duties as a servant in the Tabernacle, meticulously opening its doors, yet simultaneously grappling with profound apprehension and fear about delivering the weighty divine message to his mentor and spiritual father, Eli. It encapsulates the tension between faithful obedience to routine and the daunting responsibility of prophetic revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the immediate aftermath of God's dramatic and revelatory call to Samuel, detailed in [1 Samuel 3:1-14](/1_samuel/3 "1 Samuel 3 - God Calls Samuel"). Up until this point, Samuel had been serving Eli in the Tabernacle, unfamiliar with a direct word from the Lord ([1 Samuel 3:7](/1_samuel/3-7 "1 Samuel 3:7 - Samuel Did Not Yet Know the LORD")). After Eli discerned that the Lord was calling Samuel, he instructed the boy to respond, "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening" ([1 Samuel 3:9](/1_samuel/3-9 "1 Samuel 3:9 - Speak, LORD, for Your Servant is Listening")). God then revealed a severe judgment against Eli's house due to the unrepentant wickedness of his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, and Eli's failure to restrain them ([1 Samuel 3:11-14](/1_samuel/3-11 "1 Samuel 3:11-14 - God's Judgment on Eli's House")). Samuel's fear in [1 Samuel 3:15](/1_samuel/3-15 "1 Samuel 3:15 - Samuel's Fear to Tell Eli") directly reflects the gravity and personal nature of the divine pronouncement he had just received.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold at the Tabernacle in Shiloh, which served as the central place of worship for Israel before the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Shiloh was the spiritual hub where the Ark of the Covenant resided, and the priesthood, led by Eli, ministered. Samuel was a young boy, dedicated to the Lord by his mother Hannah ([1 Samuel 1:28](/1_samuel/1-28 "1 Samuel 1:28 - Hannah Dedicates Samuel")), serving under Eli. In ancient Israel, the role of a prophet, especially one delivering a message of judgment, was weighty and often dangerous. For a mere boy to deliver such a devastating word to the revered high priest, his spiritual guardian, would have been culturally and personally daunting. The "doors of the house of the LORD" refer to the entrance of the Tabernacle, and opening them would have been a routine, yet significant, part of a servant's daily duties, signifying the commencement of daily worship and access to God's presence.

* **Key Themes:** [1 Samuel 3:15](/1_samuel/3-15 "1 Samuel 3:15 - Samuel's Fear and Obedience") powerfully illustrates several key themes. Firstly, it highlights **faithful obedience in mundane duties**, as Samuel, despite a profound divine encounter, returns to his regular tasks, demonstrating that spiritual experiences should deepen, not negate, daily responsibilities. Secondly, it underscores the **burden of prophetic truth**, revealing the immense personal cost and emotional difficulty involved in delivering God's often uncomfortable messages, especially when directed at those in authority or close relationships. Samuel's fear is a natural human reaction to a divine mandate that demands courage. Thirdly, this moment subtly foreshadows the **transition of spiritual authority** from the failing priestly line of Eli to the emerging prophetic and judicial ministry of Samuel, who would become a faithful and pivotal leader in Israel ([1 Samuel 7:15](/1_samuel/7-15 "1 Samuel 7:15 - Samuel Judges Israel")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **feared (Hebrew, יָרֵא, _yare'_):** This verb carries a broad semantic range, encompassing awe, reverence, dread, and apprehension. In this context, it primarily denotes Samuel's profound apprehension, reluctance, and natural human fear concerning the task of revealing God's severe judgment to Eli. It is not a fear of God Himself, but a fear of the difficult consequences and the personal discomfort of delivering such a painful message to his elder and mentor. It highlights the immense weight of the prophetic office.
* **house of the LORD (Hebrew, בֵּית יְהוָה, _beyt Yahweh_):** This phrase specifically refers to the Tabernacle at Shiloh, the portable sanctuary that served as the central place of worship for the Israelites before the Temple was built in Jerusalem. It was where the Ark of the Covenant resided and where God's presence was uniquely manifested. Samuel's daily duty of "opening the doors" signifies his role as a dedicated servant within this sacred space, providing access for the priests and worshippers to approach God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Samuel lay until the morning":** This clause emphasizes Samuel's immediate obedience to the command of God to "lie down again" ([1 Samuel 3:9](/1_samuel/3-9 "1 Samuel 3:9 - Eli's Instruction to Samuel")) after his initial confusion and Eli's guidance. It also suggests a night of profound contemplation and perhaps restlessness, as he processed the weighty revelation he had received from the Lord. The transition from the extraordinary divine encounter back to the ordinary rhythm of time highlights the integration of spiritual truth into daily life.
* **"and opened the doors of the house of the LORD.":** This describes Samuel's diligent return to his routine duties. Despite the earth-shattering revelation he had just experienced, he faithfully carried out his assigned task. This act signifies his commitment to service and the importance of consistency in fulfilling one's responsibilities, even amidst extraordinary spiritual events. It also symbolically opens the way for the day's spiritual activities within the Tabernacle, a place now imbued with even greater significance for Samuel.
* **"And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.":** This is the emotional core of the verse. Samuel's fear is a deeply human and relatable response. He was a young boy, tasked with delivering a message of divine judgment that would bring ruin to the family of his aged and respected mentor, Eli. This fear underscores the immense burden of being a prophet and the personal cost of conveying God's truth, especially when it is difficult, painful, or confronts those in authority. It reveals Samuel's compassion and respect for Eli, even as he wrestled with the divine imperative to speak.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several **literary devices** that enrich its meaning. **Foreshadowing** is evident as Samuel's apprehension about delivering God's word hints at the challenging nature of his future prophetic ministry, where he would repeatedly be called to speak difficult truths to kings and the nation. There is a subtle **irony** in the fact that the young, inexperienced boy is now the recipient of divine revelation, while the aged high priest, Eli, whose spiritual discernment has waned, must rely on the boy to convey God's will. The act of "opening the doors of the house of the LORD" can be seen as **symbolism**, representing Samuel's role as a new gateway for God's word to enter Israel, replacing the failing access provided by Eli's corrupt sons. The contrast between his mundane duty and his profound internal struggle creates a powerful **juxtaposition**, highlighting the intersection of the ordinary and the divine in Samuel's life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 3:15 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine communication, human response, and the transfer of spiritual authority. It teaches that God reveals His will not only through grand pronouncements but also through the ordinary lives of His chosen servants. Samuel's fear highlights the weighty responsibility of bearing God's truth, especially when it involves judgment or confrontation. Yet, his eventual obedience, compelled by Eli's insistence, demonstrates the necessity of prioritizing God's word above personal comfort or relational apprehension. The verse underscores God's sovereignty in choosing His messengers, often selecting the unlikely, and His commitment to holding His people, even leaders, accountable for their actions. It sets the stage for Samuel's faithful prophetic ministry, which would bring clarity and divine direction to Israel during a period of spiritual decline.

* [Jeremiah 1:6-9](/jeremiah/1-6 "Jeremiah 1:6-9 - Jeremiah's Call and Apprehension")
* [Ezekiel 2:6-7](/ezekiel/2-6 "Ezekiel 2:6-7 - Ezekiel's Commission to a Rebellious People")
* [Hebrews 4:12-13](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12-13 - The Word of God is Living and Active")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Samuel's experience in 1 Samuel 3:15 offers timeless lessons for believers today. His immediate return to the mundane task of opening the Tabernacle doors, even after a life-altering divine encounter, reminds us that true spirituality is not an escape from daily duties but an empowerment to perform them with greater faithfulness and purpose. Our most profound spiritual experiences should ground us more firmly in our responsibilities, not detach us from them. Furthermore, Samuel's fear in delivering God's difficult message resonates deeply. We too may face situations where we are called to speak uncomfortable truths—whether in personal relationships, professional contexts, or as witnesses to our faith. This verse validates the natural apprehension that comes with such tasks but implicitly calls us to courage, reminding us that the message, if from God, carries divine authority and necessity. It encourages us to trust that God equips those He calls, enabling us to overcome our fears to faithfully convey His word, even when it is met with resistance or pain.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Samuel's immediate return to his daily duties after a profound spiritual experience challenge or affirm your understanding of faithfulness in the mundane?**
* **When have you felt a similar "fear to show" a difficult truth to someone you respect or care about? What did you do, and what was the outcome?**
* **In what ways might God be calling you to speak a difficult truth, and what steps can you take to overcome your apprehension?**
* **How does Samuel's youth and inexperience in this moment encourage you about God's ability to use anyone for His purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why did Samuel fear to tell Eli the vision?**

Answer: Samuel feared to tell Eli the vision primarily because of the devastating nature of the message itself. God's message was a severe judgment against Eli's entire household, promising its destruction due to the wickedness of his sons and Eli's failure to restrain them ([1 Samuel 3:11-14](/1_samuel/3-11 "1 Samuel 3:11-14 - God's Judgment on Eli's House")). For a young boy like Samuel, who had been raised and mentored by Eli, delivering such a painful and condemning word to his elderly and respected guardian would have been an incredibly daunting and emotionally distressing task. His fear was a natural human response to the immense burden of prophetic truth and a testament to his respect and affection for Eli.

**What is meant by "the house of the LORD" in this context?**

Answer: In [1 Samuel 3:15](/1_samuel/3-15 "1 Samuel 3:15 - Samuel's Service at the Tabernacle"), "the house of the LORD" refers to the Tabernacle located in Shiloh. This was the central sanctuary for the Israelites during the period of the Judges, where the Ark of the Covenant was housed and where the priests, including Eli and his sons, ministered. It was the designated place where God's presence dwelt among His people. Samuel's duty to "open the doors" was a literal daily task, signifying the beginning of the day's activities and access to the sacred space for worship and priestly duties.

**Does Samuel's fear indicate a lack of faith?**

Answer: No, Samuel's fear does not indicate a lack of faith. Instead, it highlights his humanity and the immense weight of the prophetic office. True faith often coexists with natural human emotions like fear, apprehension, or doubt, especially when faced with daunting tasks from God. Samuel's eventual obedience, despite his fear, demonstrates his foundational trust in God and his commitment to fulfilling the divine mandate. Many biblical figures, including Moses ([Exodus 4:1-13](/exodus/4-1 "Exodus 4 - Moses' Objections")) and Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 1:6](/jeremiah/1-6 "Jeremiah 1:6 - Jeremiah's Initial Reluctance")), expressed similar fears or reluctance when called by God, yet they were still considered faithful.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 3:15, while depicting Samuel's nascent prophetic ministry, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Samuel, as a prophet, was called to deliver God's truth, even when it was a message of judgment, and to transition Israel into a new era of leadership. Christ is the ultimate Prophet, the very Word of God made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Unlike Samuel, who feared to deliver a difficult message, Jesus perfectly embodied obedience, willingly embracing the full burden of God's truth, including the most severe judgment against sin, which He bore upon Himself on the cross ([Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant")). While Samuel opened the physical doors of the Tabernacle, Jesus declared Himself to be the true "door" to the sheep, the only way to the Father ([John 10:7-9](/john/10-7 "John 10:7-9 - Jesus is the Door")). His perfect obedience, even unto death, removed the barrier of sin and opened the way for all humanity to enter into God's presence, not through a physical tabernacle, but through His own body, the true temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")). Thus, Samuel's apprehension and ultimate faithfulness foreshadow the perfect and fearless obedience of Christ, who fully revealed God's truth and opened the ultimate access 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

Jeremiah 1:6

Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I [am] a child.

Jeremiah 1:8

Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

1 Corinthians 16:10

¶ Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also [do].

1 Corinthians 16:11

Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

Malachi 1:10

Who [is there] even among you that would shut the doors [for nought]? neither do ye kindle [fire] on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

1 Samuel 1:9

¶ So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.