1 Samuel 3:17

KJV

And he said, What [is] the thing that [the LORD] hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide [it] not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide [any] thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559}, What is the thing {H1697} that the LORD hath said {H1696} unto thee? I pray thee hide {H3582} it not from me: God {H430} do so {H6213} to thee, and more also {H3254}, if thou hide {H3582} any thing {H1697} from me of all the things {H1697} that he said {H1696} unto thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

'Eli said, "What did he say to you? Please, don't hide it from me; may God do to you whatever he said and worse, if you hide from me anything he said to you."

Berean Standard Bible

“What was the message He gave you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God punish you, and ever so severely, if you hide from me anything He said to you.”

American Standard Version

And he said, What is the thing thatJehovah hath spoken unto thee? I pray thee, hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide anything from me of all the things that he spake unto thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 3:17 captures the intense moment when Eli, the high priest, confronts young Samuel, demanding full 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 pivotal exchange highlights the transition of prophetic authority and the solemn responsibility of conveying divine truth, regardless of the personal cost or the recipient's status.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of the narrative in [1 Samuel 3](/1_samuel/3 "1 Samuel 3 - Samuel's Call"). The preceding verses describe the unique circumstances of Samuel's call, where the LORD repeatedly calls him, and Eli eventually discerns that God is speaking to the boy. The divine revelation, detailed in [1 Samuel 3:11-14](/1_samuel/3-11 "1 Samuel 3:11-14 - God's Judgment on Eli's House"), announces a severe and irreversible judgment upon Eli's house due to the wickedness of his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, and Eli's failure to restrain them. Samuel, though fearful and hesitant, is now faced with the daunting task of delivering this devastating news to his mentor and guardian. The immediate aftermath, described in [1 Samuel 3:18](/1_samuel/3-18 "1 Samuel 3:18 - Samuel's Obedience"), shows Samuel's obedient, albeit reluctant, disclosure and Eli's resigned acceptance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold at the tabernacle in Shiloh, which served as the central place of worship for Israel before the establishment of the monarchy and the building of the Temple in Jerusalem. This period, the time of the Judges, was marked by spiritual decline, as explicitly stated in [1 Samuel 3:1](/1_samuel/3-1 "1 Samuel 3:1 - Scarcity of Divine Revelation"), where "the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision." This scarcity of divine communication makes Samuel's direct encounter with God exceptionally significant. Eli's role as high priest placed him at the apex of religious authority, but his failure to discipline his sons reflected a broader spiritual malaise in Israel. Oaths, like the one Eli employs, were culturally binding and invoked divine judgment, emphasizing the extreme seriousness of the demand.

* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in [1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "The Book of 1 Samuel"):
* **Divine Revelation and Prophetic Authority:** It underscores God's sovereign choice to raise up new prophets, even bypassing established, but compromised, leadership. Samuel's call marks the beginning of a new era of direct divine communication, contrasting with the spiritual barrenness described earlier in the chapter.
* **Accountability and Judgment:** Eli's desperate demand highlights the impending judgment on his house, a direct consequence of his sons' unrighteousness and his own passive oversight, as elaborated in [1 Samuel 2:12-36](/1_samuel/2-12 "1 Samuel 2:12-36 - The Wickedness of Eli's Sons and Prophecy Against His House"). The severity of the oath reflects the gravity of the spiritual decay and the divine response to it.
* **Integrity and Obedience of the Prophet:** Samuel, as a nascent prophet, is immediately tested on his integrity and obedience. His willingness to speak God's difficult truth, even to his spiritual father, establishes his credibility as a true messenger of the LORD, a characteristic that defines his subsequent ministry throughout [the book of Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "The Book of Samuel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hide (Hebrew, _kāḥaḏ_):** This verb means to conceal, to keep secret, or to withhold. Eli's repeated use of this word ("hide it not from me," "if thou hide any thing from me") emphasizes 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.
* **God do so to thee, and more also (Hebrew, _kōh yaʿaśeh lĕḵā ʾĕlōhîm wĕḵōh yôsîf_):** This is a powerful and common Hebrew imprecatory oath, found frequently in the Old Testament (e.g., [Ruth 1:17](/ruth/1-17 "Ruth 1:17 - Ruth's Oath of Loyalty"), [1 Kings 2:23](/1_kings/2-23 "1 Kings 2:23 - Solomon's Oath Against Adonijah")). It functions as a self-curse, where the speaker invokes divine judgment upon themselves if they fail to uphold their word or if the person they are addressing fails to comply with the demand. In this context, Eli is essentially saying, "May God bring severe punishment upon you, Samuel, even more than I can imagine, if you conceal any part of what He said." This phrase underscores the extreme gravity and binding nature of his request, leaving Samuel no room for evasion and emphasizing the life-or-death seriousness of the divine word.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, What [is] the thing that [the LORD] hath said unto thee?"**: Eli initiates the conversation with a direct question, indicating his awareness that Samuel has received a significant revelation. 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 curious but carries the weight of a spiritual elder seeking divine truth.
* **"I pray thee hide [it] not from me:"**: This is an earnest plea, a direct command veiled in supplication. Eli knows that Samuel, though young, is now privy to God's counsel. The repetition of "hide it not" underscores the urgency and Eli's deep-seated need to know the full, unedited message. It reflects a desperate desire for transparency regarding a matter of divine import, especially one that he likely suspects concerns his own house.
* **"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. It is a solemn, binding oath, invoking a severe divine curse upon Samuel if he withholds even a single detail of the message. This oath highlights the immense pressure Samuel is under, not just from Eli, but from the spiritual consequences of disobedience. It 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.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Dramatic Irony** is evident, as the reader is already aware of the devastating judgment pronounced against Eli's house in [1 Samuel 3:11-14](/1_samuel/3-11 "1 Samuel 3:11-14 - God's Judgment on Eli's House"), while Eli remains ignorant of the specifics, desperately seeking the very truth that will condemn him. This creates tension and anticipation for Samuel's disclosure. **Foreshadowing** is also present, as the severity of Eli's oath and the gravity of his demand unmistakably hint at the dire nature of the message Samuel is about to deliver, preparing the reader for the unfolding consequences of divine judgment. Finally, the use of an **Oath/Imprecation** ("God do so to thee, and more also") is a powerful rhetorical device that underscores the absolute seriousness of Eli's demand and the binding nature of prophetic truth. It functions as a verbal covenant, placing immense pressure on Samuel and highlighting the sacred responsibility of conveying God's unvarnished word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 3:17 powerfully illustrates the solemnity of divine revelation and the profound responsibility of 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 understanding of the absolute authority and unalterable nature of God's decrees. It underscores that God's word is not to be trifled with, concealed, or edited, regardless of its discomfort or the status of the recipient. For Samuel, this moment serves as his prophetic initiation, immediately testing his integrity and obedience to God above all human allegiances, even to his beloved mentor. The passage thus speaks to the universal principles of seeking and speaking truth, particularly divine truth, with unwavering fidelity.

* [Deuteronomy 18:18](/deuteronomy/18-18 "Deuteronomy 18:18 - A Prophet Like Moses")
* [Jeremiah 1:7](/jeremiah/1-7 "Jeremiah 1:7 - God's Call to Jeremiah")
* [Ezekiel 3:17](/ezekiel/3-17 "Ezekiel 3:17 - Watchman for Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The intense exchange between Eli and Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:17 holds profound 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 uncomfortable. Like Eli, we must not shy away from the difficult parts of God's Word, but rather press in with a 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 or in daily witness, Samuel's example is a powerful reminder of the imperative for integrity and courage. We are called to be faithful conduits of God's message, delivering it without fear, favor, or personal agenda, trusting that God's word will accomplish its 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 consequences.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How eager am I to hear God's full truth, even when I suspect it might be challenging or convicting to me personally?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to "hide" or soften God's truth, either from myself or from others, to avoid discomfort or conflict?**
* **What does Samuel's immediate obedience, despite his youth and fear, teach me about responding to God's call to speak difficult truths?**
* **How does this passage inform my understanding of accountability, both for myself and for leaders in my community or church?**

### FAQ

**Why was Eli so insistent on Samuel revealing the message, even using such a strong oath?**

Answer: Eli's insistence stemmed from several factors. Firstly, he was the high priest, and it was his responsibility to discern and understand divine communication, especially if it concerned the spiritual state of Israel or his own household. He likely sensed the gravity of the situation, perhaps even suspecting that the message concerned him, given the earlier prophecy against his house in [1 Samuel 2:27-36](/1_samuel/2-27 "1 Samuel 2:27-36 - Prophecy Against Eli's House"). Secondly, the spiritual climate of the time was one of "no open vision" ([1 Samuel 3:1](/1_samuel/3-1 "1 Samuel 3:1 - Scarcity of Divine Revelation")), making any direct word from the LORD exceptionally rare and precious. Eli understood the immense significance of such a revelation. Finally, the use of the imprecatory oath ("God do so to thee, and more also") was a common cultural practice to ensure absolute truthfulness and compliance in matters of extreme importance, reflecting the depth of Eli's desperation and his awareness of the critical nature of the divine word.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 3:17, with its intense demand for the full disclosure of God's word, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the perfect Prophet and the very embodiment of God's truth. While Samuel, a young and fearful boy, was compelled by an oath to reveal a difficult truth, Jesus willingly and perfectly revealed the Father's complete will, even when it led to His suffering and death. He is the Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), who did not "hide" any part of God's message, but declared the full counsel of God, encompassing both judgment and grace ([John 3:16-18](/john/3-16 "John 3:16-18 - God So Loved the World")). Unlike Eli, who was a compromised high priest receiving a message of judgment, Jesus is our perfect High Priest ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus Our High Priest")) who fully revealed God's redemptive plan, culminating in His ultimate sacrifice for sin ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Sacrifice")). Through Him, the "word of the LORD" is no longer scarce or partially revealed, but fully and finally made known, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life")).

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

2 Samuel 3:35

And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.

Ruth 1:17

Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, [if ought] but death part thee and me.

Micah 2:7

O [thou that art] named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? [are] these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?

1 Samuel 20:13

The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father [to do] thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.

Daniel 4:19

¶ Then Daniel, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream [be] to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.

2 Samuel 19:13

And say ye to Amasa, [Art] thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.

Psalms 141:5

Let the righteous smite me; [it shall be] a kindness: and let him reprove me; [it shall be] an excellent oil, [which] shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also [shall be] in their calamities.