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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 1 Samuel 3:11–18. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here is, I. The message which, after all this introduction, God delivered to Samuel concerning Eli's house. God did not come to him now to tell him how great a man he should be in his day, what a figure he should make, and what a blessing he should be in Israel. Young people have commonly a great curiosity to be told their fortune, but God came to Samuel, not to gratify his curiosity, but to employ him in his service and send him on an errand to another person, which was much better; and yet the matter of this first message, which no doubt made a very great impression upon him, might be of good use to him afterwards, when his own sons proved, though not so bad as Eli's, yet not so good as they should have been, Sa1 8:3. The message is short, not nearly so long as that which the man of God brought, Sa1 2:27. For, Samuel being a child, it could not be expected that he should remember a long message, and God considered his frame. The memories of children must not be overcharged, no, not with divine things. But it is a sad message, a message of wrath, to ratify the message in the former chapter, and to bind on the sentence there pronounced, because perhaps Eli did not give so much regard to that as he ought to have done. Divine threatenings, the less they are heeded, the surer they will come and the heavier they will fall. Reference is here had to what was there said concerning both the sin and the punishment.
1.Concerning the sin: it is the iniquity that he knoweth, Sa1 3:13. The man of God told him of it, and many a time his own conscience had told him of it. O what a great deal of guilt and corruption is there in us concerning which we may say, "It is the iniquity which our own heart knoweth, we are conscious to ourselves of it!" In short, the iniquity was this: His sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. Or, as it is in the Hebrew, he frowned not upon them. If he did show his dislike of their wicked courses, yet not to that degree that he ought to have done: he did reprove them, but he did not punish them, for the mischief they did, nor deprive them of their power to do mischief, which as a father, high priest, and judge, he might have done. Note,
(1.)Sinners do by their own wickedness make themselves vile. They debauch themselves (for every man is tempted when he is drawn aside of his own lusts, Jam 1:14) and thereby they debase themselves, and make themselves not only mean, but odious to the holy God and holy men and angels. Sin is a vile thing, and degrades men more than any thing, Psa 15:4. Eli's sons made light of God, and made his offerings vile in the people's eyes; but the shame returned into their own bosom: they made themselves vile.
(2.)Those that do not restrain the sins of others, when it is in the power of their hand to do it, make themselves partakers of the guilt, and will be charged as accessaries: Those in authority will have a great deal to answer for if they make not the sword they bear a terror to evil workers.
2.Concerning the punishment: it is that which I have spoken concerning his house, Sa1 3:12 and Sa1 3:13. I have told him that I will judge his house for ever, that is, that a curse should be entailed upon his family from generation to generation. The particulars of this curse we had before; they are not here repeated, but it is added,
(1.)That when that sentence began to be executed it would be very dreadful and amazing to all Israel (Sa1 3:11): Both the ears of every one that hears it shall tingle. Every Israelite would be struck with terror and astonishment to hear of the slaying of Eli's sons, the breaking of Eli's neck, and the dispersion of Eli's family. Lord, how terrible art thou in thy judgments! If this be done in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? Note, God's judgments upon others should affect us with a holy fear, Psa 119:120.
(2.)That these direful first-fruits of the execution would be certain earnests of the progress and full accomplishment of it: When I begin I will proceed and make an end of all that I have threatened, Sa1 3:12. It is intimated that it might possibly be some time before he would begin, but let them not call that forbearance an acquittance, nor that reprieve a pardon; for when at length he does begin he will make thorough work of it, and, though he stay long, he will strike home.
(3.)That no room should be left for hope that this sentence might be reversed and the execution stayed or mitigated, Sa1 3:14.
[1.]God would not revoke the sentence, for he backed it with an oath: I have sworn to the house of Eli; and God will not go back from what he has sworn either in mercy or judgment.
[2.]He would never come to a composition for the forfeiture: "The iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. No atonement shall be made for the sin, nor any abatement of the punishment." This was the imperfection of the legal sacrifices, that there were iniquities which they did not reach, which they would not purge; but the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin, and secures all those that by faith are interested in it from that eternal death which is the wages of sin.
II.The delivery of this message to Eli. Observe,
1.Samuel's modest concealment of it, Sa1 3:15.
(1.)He lay till the morning, and we may well suppose he lay awake pondering on what he had heard, repeating it to himself, and considering what use he must make of it. After we have received the spiritual food of God's word, it is good to compose ourselves, and give it time to digest.
(2.)He opened the doors of the house of the Lord, in the morning, as he used to do, being up first in the tabernacle. That he should do so at other times was an instance of extraordinary towardliness in a child, but that he should do so this morning was an instance of great humility. God had highly honoured him above all the children of his people, yet he was not proud of the honour, nor puffed up with it, did not think himself too great and too good to be employed in these mean and servile offices, but, as cheerfully as ever, went and opened the doors of the tabernacle. Note, Those to whom God manifests himself he makes and keeps low in their own eyes, and willing to stoop to any thing by which they may be serviceable to his glory, though but as door-keepers in his house. One would have expected that Samuel would be so full of his vision as to forget his ordinary service, that he would go among his companions, as one in an ecstasy, to tell them what converse he had had with God this night; but he modestly keeps it to himself, tells the vision to no man, but silently goes on in his business. Our secret communion with God is not to be proclaimed upon the house-tops.
(3.)He feared to show Eli the vision. If he was afraid Eli would be angry with him and chide him, then we have cause to suspect that Eli used to be as severe with this towardly child as he was indulgent to his own wicked sons, and this will bear hard upon him. But we will suppose it was rather because he was afraid to grieve and trouble the good old man that he was so shy. If he had run immediately with the tidings to Eli, this would have looked as if he desired the woeful day and hoped to build his own family upon the ruin of Eli's; therefore it became him not to be forward to declare the vision. No good man can take pleasure in bringing evil tidings, especially not Samuel to Eli, the pupil to the tutor whom he loves and honours.
2.Eli's careful enquiry into it, Sa1 3:16, Sa1 3:17. As soon as ever he heard Samuel stirring he called for him, probably to his bed-side; and, having before perceived that God had spoken to him, he obliged him, not only by importunity (I pray thee, hide it not from me), but, finding him timorous and backward, by an adjuration likewise - God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me! He had reason enough to fear that the message prophesied no good concerning him, but evil; and yet, because it was a message from God, he could not contentedly be ignorant of it. A good man desires to be acquainted with all the will of God, whether it make for him or against him. His adjuration - God do so to thee, if thou hide any thing from me - may intimate the fearful doom of unfaithful watchmen; if they warn not sinners, they bring upon themselves that wrath and curse which they should have denounced, in God's name, against those that go on still in their trespasses.
3.Samuel's faithful delivery of his message at last (Sa1 3:18): He told him every whit. When he saw that he must tell him he never minced the matter, nor offered to make it better than it was, to blunt that which was sharp, or to gild the bitter pill, but delivered the message as plainly and fully as he received it, not shunning to declare the whole counsel of God. Christ's ministers must deal thus faithfully.
4.Eli's pious acquiescence in it. He did not question Samuel's integrity, was not cross with him, nor had he any thing to object against the equity of the sentence. He did not complain of the punishment, as Cain did, that it was greater than he either deserved or could bear, but patiently submitted, and accepted the punishment of his iniquity. It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good. He understood the sentence to intend only a temporal punishment, and the entail of disgrace and poverty upon his posterity, and not a final separation of them from the favour of God, and therefore he cheerfully submitted, did not repine, because he knew the demerits of his family; nor did he now intercede for the reversing of the sentence, because God had ratified it with a solemn oath, of which he would not repent. He therefore composes himself into a humble resignation to God's will, as Aaron, in a case not much unlike. Lev 10:3, He held his peace. In a few words, (1.) He lays down this satisfying truth, "It is the Lord; it is he that pronounces the judgment, from whose bar there lies no appeal and against whose sentence there lies no exception. It is he that will execute the judgment, whose power cannot be resisted, his justice arraigned, nor his sovereignty contested. It is the Lord, who will thus sanctify and glorify himself, and it is highly fit he should. It is the Lord, with whom there is no unrighteousness, who never did nor ever will do any wrong to any of his creatures, nor exact more than their iniquity deserves." (2.) He infers from it this satisfying conclusion: "Let him do what seemeth him good. I have nothing to say against his proceedings. He is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works, and therefore his will be done. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him." Thus we ought to quiet ourselves under God's rebuke, and never to strive with our Maker.
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Summary
1 Samuel 3:17 captures the intense and pivotal moment when Eli, the high priest, confronts young Samuel, demanding the complete and unvarnished disclosure of the divine message Samuel received during the night. Eli's urgent plea, backed by a potent imprecatory oath, underscores the profound gravity of God's word and the immense pressure placed upon Samuel to faithfully deliver a message of impending judgment against Eli's own household. This exchange highlights the solemn responsibility of conveying divine truth, regardless of personal cost or the recipient's status, marking a significant transition in prophetic authority within Israel.
Context
Literary Context
This verse serves as the dramatic climax of the narrative presented in 1 Samuel 3. The preceding verses meticulously detail the unique circumstances of Samuel's divine call, where the LORD repeatedly summons him, and Eli, through a process of discernment, eventually recognizes that God is speaking to the boy. The specific content of this divine revelation, articulated in 1 Samuel 3:11-14, announces a severe, irreversible judgment upon Eli's priestly house due to the flagrant wickedness of his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, and Eli's culpable failure to restrain them. Samuel, depicted as fearful and hesitant, is now faced with the daunting and emotionally charged task of delivering this devastating news to his spiritual mentor and guardian. The immediate aftermath, recounted in 1 Samuel 3:18, portrays Samuel's obedient, albeit reluctant, disclosure and Eli's resigned acceptance of God's decree.
Historical & Cultural Context
The events of 1 Samuel 3:17 unfold at the tabernacle in Shiloh, which functioned as the central sanctuary and primary place of worship for the Israelite nation during the period of the Judges, prior to the establishment of the monarchy and the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. This era, characterized by spiritual decline and moral decay, is explicitly described in 1 Samuel 3:1, noting that "the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision." This scarcity of direct divine communication renders Samuel's personal encounter with God exceptionally significant and marks a turning point. Eli's esteemed position as high priest placed him at the apex of Israel's religious authority, yet his failure to effectively discipline his corrupt sons reflected a broader spiritual malaise afflicting the nation. Oaths, such as the potent imprecation Eli employs in this verse, were deeply ingrained in ancient Near Eastern culture and were considered legally and spiritually binding, invoking divine judgment upon the oath-taker if they failed to uphold their word, thereby emphasizing the extreme seriousness and solemnity of the demand.
Key Themes
The verse contributes profoundly to several overarching themes woven throughout 1 Samuel:
Divine Revelation and Prophetic Authority
It powerfully underscores God's sovereign prerogative to raise up new prophets, even bypassing established, yet compromised, leadership. Samuel's call marks the dawn of a new era of direct and authoritative divine communication, starkly contrasting with the spiritual barrenness and lack of vision described earlier in the chapter. This divine initiative demonstrates God's faithfulness to His covenant people even amidst their spiritual decline.
Accountability and Judgment
Eli's desperate demand highlights the impending and irreversible judgment upon his house, a direct consequence of his sons' egregious unrighteousness and his own passive oversight and failure to intervene decisively, as elaborated in 1 Samuel 2:12-36. The severity of the oath Eli utters reflects the gravity of the spiritual decay and the unyielding nature of the divine response to unrepentant sin, especially within leadership.
Integrity and Obedience of the Prophet
Samuel, as a nascent prophet, is immediately subjected to a profound test of his integrity and obedience to God. His willingness to speak God's difficult and painful truth, even to his beloved spiritual father and mentor, establishes his credibility and authenticity as a true messenger of the LORD. This foundational act of unwavering fidelity to God's word, regardless of personal discomfort or relational strain, defines his subsequent ministry throughout the book of Samuel, setting the standard for prophetic ministry.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb (H3582) signifies to conceal, to keep secret, or to withhold. Eli's repeated and emphatic use of this word ("hide it not from me," "if thou hide any thing from me") underscores his absolute demand for complete and unvarnished disclosure. It highlights the profound cultural and spiritual expectation that a divine message, once received, must be fully and truthfully communicated, especially when it concerns the fate of individuals or the community. The act of hiding God's word would be seen as a grave dereliction of prophetic duty, akin to rebellion against the divine will.
This noun (H1697) is exceptionally rich in meaning, encompassing "a word," "a matter," "a thing," or "a cause." In this context, it refers to the specific divine communication Samuel received. Eli's inquiry, "What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee?" and his subsequent warning, "if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee," emphasize that he expects a full account of the entire divine message, not merely a partial or edited version. It underscores that God's revelation is a comprehensive "matter" or "word" that must be delivered in its entirety.
This verb (H1696) is a primitive root meaning "to speak," "to declare," or "to command." When applied to the LORD, as in "the LORD hath said unto thee," it denotes the authoritative and intentional act of divine communication. This word emphasizes that the message Samuel received was not a dream or a personal impression, but a direct, verbal pronouncement from God Himself, carrying the full weight of divine authority and requiring absolute fidelity in its transmission.
Verse Breakdown
"And he said, What [is] the thing that [the LORD] hath said unto thee?"
Eli initiates the conversation with a direct and probing question, immediately indicating his acute awareness that Samuel has received a significant and authoritative revelation from God. The phrasing suggests a sense of foreboding and an understanding that the message is likely personal and weighty, given Samuel's visible distress and the unusual circumstances of the night. Eli's question is not merely born of curiosity but carries the profound weight of a spiritual elder seeking divine truth, particularly as he is the high priest responsible for discerning God's will for Israel.
"I pray thee hide [it] not from me:"
This clause functions as an earnest plea, a direct command veiled in supplication, reflecting Eli's deep-seated need and desperation. Eli recognizes that Samuel, though young, is now privy to God's counsel, a privilege Eli himself no longer fully enjoys due to his compromised position. The repetition of "hide it not" underscores the urgency and Eli's profound desire to know the full, unedited message. It reflects a desperate longing for transparency regarding a matter of divine import, especially one that he likely suspects concerns his own house and destiny.
"God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide [any] thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee."
This is the climactic and most forceful part of Eli's demand, a solemn and binding imprecatory oath. By invoking a severe divine curse upon Samuel if he withholds even a single detail of the message, Eli highlights the immense pressure Samuel is under, not just from his human mentor, but from the spiritual consequences of disobedience to God's word. This oath emphasizes the absolute necessity for the prophet to deliver God's word completely and accurately, without fear or favor, even when that word is painful or damning to the recipient. Eli's desperation to know the truth, even if it is devastating, overrides any concern for Samuel's comfort or his own reputation.
Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices that amplify its dramatic impact and theological significance. Dramatic Irony is powerfully evident, as the reader is already fully aware of the devastating judgment pronounced against Eli's house in 1 Samuel 3:11-14, while Eli remains ignorant of the specifics, desperately seeking the very truth that will condemn him. This disparity in knowledge creates profound tension and anticipation for Samuel's inevitable disclosure. Foreshadowing is also deftly woven into the narrative, as the severity of Eli's oath and the gravity of his demand unmistakably hint at the dire and catastrophic nature of the message Samuel is about to deliver, preparing the reader for the unfolding consequences of divine judgment. Finally, the prominent use of an Oath/Imprecation ("God do so to thee, and more also") is a powerful rhetorical device that not only underscores the absolute seriousness of Eli's demand but also highlights the sacred, binding nature of prophetic truth. It functions as a verbal covenant, placing immense spiritual pressure on Samuel and emphasizing the profound responsibility of conveying God's unvarnished word.
Theological and Thematic Connections
1 Samuel 3:17 powerfully illustrates the solemnity and unalterable authority of divine revelation and the profound responsibility incumbent upon those entrusted with its delivery. Eli's desperate insistence on hearing God's full word, even under the threat of a self-imposed curse, reflects a deep-seated, albeit perhaps belated, understanding of the absolute sovereignty and immutable nature of God's decrees. It underscores the theological principle that God's word is not to be trifled with, concealed, edited, or selectively presented, regardless of its discomfort or the status of the recipient. For Samuel, this intense moment serves as his prophetic initiation, immediately testing his integrity and obedience to God above all human allegiances, even to his beloved mentor and guardian. The passage thus speaks to the universal principles of seeking and speaking truth, particularly divine truth, with unwavering fidelity, highlighting that faithfulness to God's word often requires immense courage and a willingness to confront difficult realities.
Reflection and Application
The intense exchange between Eli and Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:17 holds profound and enduring lessons for believers today. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of earnest desire for God's complete truth, even when that truth is challenging, convicting, or deeply uncomfortable. Like Eli, we must not shy away from the difficult or demanding parts of God's Word, but rather press in with a humble hunger to understand its full implications for our lives and our communities. For those who are called to speak God's truth, whether in formal ministry, in leadership roles, or in daily witness to those around us, Samuel's example is a powerful and sobering reminder of the imperative for unwavering integrity and courageous obedience. We are called to be faithful conduits of God's message, delivering it without fear of human disapproval, without favoritism, and without personal agenda, trusting that God's word, in its perfect timing, will accomplish its intended purpose. This passage also serves as a sobering reminder of accountability, particularly for those in positions of spiritual authority, highlighting that ignoring sin or failing to act decisively in accordance with God's commands carries severe, often far-reaching, consequences.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was Eli so insistent on Samuel revealing the message, even using such a strong oath?
Eli's profound insistence stemmed from a confluence of critical factors. Firstly, as the high priest, it was his sacred responsibility to discern and comprehend divine communication, particularly if it pertained to the spiritual well-being of Israel or, as he likely suspected, his own household. He undoubtedly sensed the immense gravity of the situation, perhaps even anticipating that the message concerned him, given the earlier, ominous prophecy against his house detailed in 1 Samuel 2:27-36. Secondly, the spiritual climate of the time was one of profound scarcity regarding divine revelation, as explicitly stated in 1 Samuel 3:1, where "the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision." This made any direct word from the LORD exceptionally rare and therefore immensely significant. Eli, despite his personal failings, understood the immense spiritual weight of such a revelation. Finally, the employment of the imprecatory oath ("God do so to thee, and more also") was a common and culturally potent practice in ancient Israel to ensure absolute truthfulness and compliance in matters of extreme importance. This reflects the depth of Eli's desperation, his recognition of the critical nature of the divine word, and his ultimate desire to hear the unvarnished truth, no matter how painful.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
1 Samuel 3:17, with its intense demand for the full and unreserved disclosure of God's word, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the quintessential Prophet and the very embodiment of God's truth. While Samuel, a young and fearful boy, was compelled by a solemn oath to reveal a difficult truth that brought judgment, Jesus willingly and perfectly revealed the Father's complete will, even when it led to His profound suffering and sacrificial death. He is the eternal Word made flesh (John 1:14), who did not "hide" or withhold any part of God's message, but declared the full counsel of God, encompassing both the severity of divine judgment and the boundless riches of divine grace (John 3:16-18). Unlike Eli, who was a compromised high priest receiving a message of impending judgment upon his house, Jesus is our perfect and unblemished High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16) who fully revealed God's redemptive plan, culminating in His ultimate and once-for-all sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:26). Through Him, the "word of the LORD" is no longer scarce or partially revealed, but fully and finally made known, offering salvation, eternal life, and complete access to the Father to all who believe (John 14:6).