TRV
Translation
King James Version
And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
Complete Jewish Bible
Then he ran to 'Eli and said, "Here I am - you called me?" But he said, "I didn't call you; go back, and lie down." So he went and lay down.
Berean Standard Bible
He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” “I did not call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
American Standard Version
And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
World English Bible Messianic
He ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” He said, “I didn’t call; lie down again.” He went and lay down.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And he ranne vnto Eli, and said, Here am I, for thou calledst me. But he said, I called thee not: goe againe and sleepe. And he went and slept.
Young's Literal Translation
And he runneth unto Eli, and saith, `Here am I, for thou hast called for me;' and he saith, `I called not; turn back, lie down;' and he goeth and lieth down.
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Commentary on 1 Samuel 3 verses 1–10
1 ¶ And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
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.
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
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.
9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
To make way for the account of God's revealing himself first to Samuel, we are here told, 1. How industrious Samuel was in serving God, according as his place and capacity were (Sa1 3:1): The child Samuel, though but a child, ministered unto the Lord before Eli. It was an aggravation of the wickedness of Eli's sons that the child Samuel shamed them. They rebelled against the Lord, but Samuel ministered to him; they slighted their father's admonitions, but Samuel was observant of them; he ministered before Eli, under his eye and direction. It was the praise of Samuel that he was so far from being influenced by their bad example that he did not in the least fall off, but improved and went on. And it was a preparative for the honours God intended him; he that was thus faithful in a little was soon after entrusted with much more. Let those that are young be humble and diligent, which they will find the surest way to preferment. Those are fittest to rule who have learnt to obey. 2. How scarce a thing prophecy then was, which made the call of Samuel to be the greater surprise to himself and the greater favour to Israel: The word of the Lord was precious in those days. Now and then a man of God was employed as a messenger upon an extraordinary occasion (as Sa1 2:27), but there were no settled prophets, to whom the people might have recourse for counsel, nor from whom they might expect the discoveries of the divine will. And the rarity of prophecy made it the more precious in the account of all those that knew how to put a right value upon it. It was precious, for what there was (it seems) was private: There was no open vision, that is, there were none that were publicly known to have visions. Perhaps the impiety and impurity that prevailed in the tabernacle, and no doubt corrupted the whole nation, had provoked God, as a token of his displeasure, to withdraw the Spirit of prophecy, till the decree had gone forth for the raising up of a more faithful priest, and then, as an earnest of that, this faithful prophet was raised up.
The manner of God's revealing himself to Samuel is here related very particularly, for it was uncommon.
I. Eli had retired. Samuel had waited on him to his bed, and the rest that attended the service of the sanctuary had gone, we may suppose, to their several apartments (Sa1 3:2): Eli had laid down in his place; he went to bed betimes, being unfit for business and soon weary of it, and perhaps loving his ease too well. Probably he kept his chamber much, which gave his sons the greater liberty. And he sought retirement the more because his eyes began to wax dim, an affliction which came justly upon him for winking at his sons' faults.
II. Samuel had laid down to sleep, in some closet near to Eli's room, as his page of the back-stairs, ready within call if the old man should want any thing in the night, perhaps to read to him if he could not sleep. He chose to take Samuel into this office rather than any of his own family, because of the towardly disposition he observed in him. When his own sons were a grief to him, his little servitor was his joy. Let those that are afflicted in their children thank God if they have any about them in whom they are comforted. Samuel had laid down ere the lamp of God went out, Sa1 3:3. It should seem he lay somewhere so near the holy place that he went to bed by that light, before any of the lamps in the branches of the candlestick went out (for the main lamp never went out), which probably was towards midnight. Till that time Samuel had been employing himself in some good exercise or other, reading and prayer, or perhaps cleaning or making ready the holy place; and then went softly to his bed. Then we may expect God's gracious visits, when we are constant and diligent in our duty.
III. God called him by name, and he took it for Eli's call, and ran to him, Sa1 3:4, Sa1 3:5. Samuel lay awake in his bed, his thoughts, no doubt, well employed (as David's Psa 63:6), when the Lord called to him, bishop Patrick thinks out of the most holy place, and so the Chaldee paraphrase reads it, A voice was heard out of the temple of the Lord; but Eli, though it is likely he lay nearer, heard it not; yet possibly it might come some other way. Hereupon we have an instance, 1. Of Samuel's industry, and readiness to wait on Eli; supposing it was he that called him, he hastened out of his warm bed and ran to him, to see if he wanted any thing, and perhaps fearing he was not well. "Here am I," said he - a good example to servants, to come when they are called; and to the younger, not only to submit to the elder, but to be careful and tender of them. 2. Of his infirmity, and unacquaintedness with the visions of the Almighty, that he took that to be only Eli's call which was really the call of God. Such mistakes as these we make oftener than we think of. God calls to us by his word, and we take it to be only the call of the minister, and answer it accordingly; he calls to us by his providences, and we look only at the instruments. His voice cries, and it is but here and there a man of wisdom that understands it to be his voice. Eli assured him he did not call him, yet did not chide him for disturbing him with being over-officious, did not call him a fool, and tell him he dreamed, but mildly bade him lie down again, he had nothing for him to do. If servants must be ready at their masters' call, masters also must be tender of their servants' comfort: that thy man-servant and thy maid-servant may rest as well as thou. So Samuel went and lay down. God calls many by the ministry of the word, and they say, as Samuel did, "Here am I;" but not looking at God, nor discerning his voice in the call, the impressions of it are soon lost; they lie down again, and their convictions come to nothing.
IV. The same call was repeated, and the same mistake made, a second and third time, Sa1 3:6-9. 1. God continued to call the child yet again (Sa1 3:6), and again the third time, Sa1 3:8. Note, The call which divine grace designs to make effectual shall be repeated till it is so, that is, till we come at the call; for the purpose of God, according to which we are called, shall certainly stand. 2. Samuel was still ignorant that it was the Lord that called him (Sa1 3:7): Samuel did not yet know the Lord. He knew the written word, and was acquainted with the mind of God in that, but he did not yet apprehend the way in which God reveals himself to his servants the prophets, especially by a still small voice; this was altogether new and strange to him. Perhaps he would have been sooner aware of a divine revelation had it come in a dream or a vision; but this was a way he had not only not known himself, but not heard of. Those that have the greatest knowledge of divine things must remember the time when they were as babes, unskilful in the word of righteousness. When I was a child I understood as a child. Yet let us not despise the day of small things. Thus did Samuel (so the margin reads it) before he knew the Lord, and before the word of the Lord was revealed unto him; thus he blundered one time after another, but afterwards he understood his duty better. The witness of the Spirit in the hearts of the faithful is often thus mistaken, by which means they lose the comfort of it; and the strivings of the Spirit with the consciences of sinners are likewise often mistaken, and so the benefit of their convictions is lost. God speaketh once, yea, twice, but man perceiveth it not, Job 33:14. 3. Samuel went to Eli this second and third time, the voice perhaps resembling his, and the child being very near to him; and he tells Eli, with great assurance, "Thou didst call me (Sa1 3:6-8), it could be no one else." Samuel's disposition to come when he was called, though but by Eli, proving him dutiful and active, qualified him for the favour now to be shown him; God chooses to employ such. But there was a special providence in it, that he should go thus often to Eli; for hereby, at length, Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child, Sa1 3:8. And, (1.) This would be a mortification to him, and he would apprehend it to be a step towards his family's being degraded, that when God had something to say he should choose to say it to the child Samuel, his servant that waited on him, and not to him. And it would humble him the more when afterwards he found it was a message to himself, and yet sent to him by a child. He had reason to look upon this as a further token of God's displeasure. (2.) This would put him upon enquiring what it was that God said to Samuel, and would abundantly satisfy him of the truth and certainty of what should be delivered, and no room would be left for him to suggest that it was but a fancy of Samuel's; for before the message was delivered he himself perceived that God was about to speak to him, and yet must not know what it was till he had it from Samuel himself. Thus even the infirmities and mistakes of those whom God employs are overruled by infinite Wisdom, and made serviceable to his purposes.
V. At length Samuel was put into a posture to receive a message from God, not to be lodged with himself and go no further, but, that he might be a complete prophet, to be published and made an open vision. 1. Eli, perceiving that it was the voice of God that Samuel heard, gave him instructions what to say, Sa1 3:9. This was honestly done, that though it was a disgrace to him for God's call to pass him by, and be directed to Samuel, yet he put him in the way how to entertain it. Had he been envious of this honour done to Samuel, he would have done what he could to deprive him of it, and, since he did not perceive it himself, would have bidden him lie down and sleep, and never heed it, it was but a dream; but he was of a better spirit than to act so; he gave him the best advice he could, for the forwarding of his advancement. Thus the elder should, without grudging, do their utmost to assist and improve the younger that are rising up, though they see themselves likely to be darkened and eclipsed by them. Let us never be wanting to inform and instruct those that are coming after us, even such as will soon be preferred before us, Joh 1:30. The instruction Eli gave him was, when God called the next time, to say, Speak, Lord, for they servant heareth. He must call himself God's servant, must desire to know the mind of God. "Speak, Lord, speak to me, speak now:" and he must prepare to hear, and promise to attend: Thy servant heareth. Note, Then we may expect that God will speak to us, when we set ourselves to hearken to what he says, Psa 85:8; Hab 2:1. When we come to read the word of God, and to attend on the preaching of it, we should come thus disposed, submitting ourselves to the commanding light and power of it: Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth. 2. It should seem that God spoke the fourth time in a way somewhat different from the other; though the call was, as at other times, a call to him by name, yet now he stood and called, which intimates that there was now some visible appearance of the divine glory to Samuel, a vision that stood before him, like that before Eliphaz, though he could not discern the form thereof, Job 4:16. This satisfied him that it was not Eli that called; for he now saw the voice that spoke with him, as it is expressed, Rev 1:12. Now also the call was doubled - Samuel, Samuel, as if God delighted in the mention of his name, or to intimate that now he should be made to understand who spoke to him. God hath spoken once, twice have I heard this, Psa 62:11. It was an honour to him that God was pleased to know him by name (Exo 33:12), and then his call was powerful and effectual when he called him by name, and so brought it particularly to him, as Saul, Saul. Thus God called to Abraham by name, Gen 22:1. 3. Samuel said, as he was taught, Speak, for thy servant heareth. Note, Good words should be put into children's mouths betimes, and apt expressions of pious and devout affections, by which they may be prepared for a better acquaintance with divine things, and trained up to a holy converse with them. Teach young people what they shall say, for they cannot order their speech by reason of darkness. Samuel did not now rise and run as before when he thought Eli called, but lay still and listened. The more sedate and composed our spirits are the better prepared they are for divine discoveries. Let all tumultuous thoughts and passions be kept under, and every thing be quiet and serene in the soul, and then we are fit to hear from God. All must be silent when he speaks. But observe, Samuel left out one word; he did not say, Speak, Lord, but only, Speak, for thy servant heareth, way was made for the message he was now to receive, and Samuel was brought acquainted with the words of God and visions of the Almighty, and this ere the lamp of God went out (Sa1 3:3) in the temple of the Lord, which some of the Jewish writers put a mystical sense upon; before the fall of Eli, and the eclipsing of the Urim and Thummim for some time thereby, God called Samuel, and made him an oracle, whence they have an observation among their doctors, That the sun riseth, and the sun goeth down (Ecc 1:5), that is, say they, Ere God maketh the sun of one righteous man to set, he makes the sun of another righteous man to rise. Smith ex Kimchi.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–10. Public domain.
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John CassianAD 435
CONFERENCE 2.13.12-2.14
And therefore by no means let the ignorance or shallowness of one old man or of a few deter you and cut you off from that salutary path about which we have spoken and from the traditions of our forebears. The clever enemy misuses their gray hairs to deceive the young. But everything should be revealed to the elders without any obfuscating embarrassment, and from them one may confidently receive both healing for one’s wounds and examples for one’s way of life. Thanks to them we shall experience the same assistance and a like result if we strive to aim at nothing whatsoever by our own judgment and presumption.Finally, it is evident that this understanding is greatly pleasing to God, for not without reason do we find this same instruction even in holy Scripture. Thus, the Lord did not desire of himself to teach the boy Samuel through divine speech, once he had been chosen by his own decision, but he was obliged to return twice to the old man. He willed that one whom he was calling to an intimate relationship with himself should even be instructed by a person who had offended God, because he was an old man. And he desired that one whom he judged most worthy to be selected by himself should be reared by an old man so that the humility of him who was called to a divine ministry might be tested and so that the pattern of this subjection might be offered as an example to young men.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Samuel
And he ran to Eli, etc. Christ, called by the Father, who was always in him, to contemplate the miracles of his eternal majesty, responds that he will remain eternally with the Father by divine presence; and among these, suddenly appearing in human flesh, he speaks to the teachers of the Jews: And he himself, whom you sought for so long, and desired to come in the flesh, who was often called by the prayers and vows of the faithful for the salvation of the world, I myself have come, I who spoke, behold, here I am.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Samuel
He said, "I did not call," etc. The Scribes and Pharisees deny that they sought the coming of Christ; at whose birth, upon hearing, not only King Herod was troubled, but also all Jerusalem with him. And they instructed to sleep again in the temple the one whom, having repulsed from their disbelief, they sent back to reveal the secrets of the father's child. However, when he was a young man, that is, after the thirtieth year of his age, some from their number believed him to be the Son of God. And this is similar to how Eli, after the third coming of Samuel to him, understood that the Lord was calling him; after the third decade of his years, the Jews knew and believed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
1 Samuel 3:5 recounts the initial, pivotal interaction in God's call to young Samuel, where the boy, awakened by a divine voice, dutifully runs to Eli, the High Priest, believing it to be his master's summons. This scene vividly portrays Samuel's innate readiness and obedience, juxtaposed with Eli's initial unawareness of God's direct intervention, setting the stage for the unfolding of divine revelation in an era of spiritual scarcity and foreshadowing Samuel's future role as a prophet.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage employs several effective literary devices to convey its profound message. Repetition is a key technique, as the pattern of Samuel being called, running to Eli, and Eli denying the call is repeated three times (culminating in 1 Samuel 3:8). This repetition not only builds narrative suspense but also emphasizes Samuel's unwavering obedience and Eli's initial spiritual dullness, gradually revealing the divine source of the call. There is a poignant Irony in Samuel's earnestness to serve Eli, when in fact, he is being called by God to ultimately supersede Eli's compromised lineage and become the nation's spiritual leader. The scene also serves as powerful Characterization, revealing Samuel's pure-heartedness, diligence, and profound readiness to serve, contrasting sharply with the spiritual lethargy and moral decay of Eli's sons. Furthermore, the repeated calls and Samuel's eventual recognition of God's voice, guided by Eli, serve as Foreshadowing Samuel's future role as a prophet, a mediator of God's word to Israel, and a key figure in the momentous transition from the era of judges to the monarchy.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple interaction between a boy and an old priest is pregnant with profound theological significance. It illustrates God's persistent and patient nature in calling individuals, even when they are initially unable to discern His voice. The divine initiative to speak directly to Samuel, bypassing the compromised priestly establishment, powerfully underscores God's sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to raising up faithful leadership when existing structures fail or become corrupt. Samuel's immediate "Here am I" response, though initially misdirected, reflects a heart posture of availability, humility, and obedience that God honors and ultimately uses. This account serves as a foundational narrative for understanding the process of divine calling, highlighting that God often speaks in unexpected ways and to unexpected people. It also emphasizes the crucial importance of spiritual mentorship in discerning God's will, as Eli, despite his own shortcomings, plays a vital role in guiding Samuel towards recognizing the divine voice. True spiritual authority, the passage suggests, stems from divine appointment and a responsive heart, not merely inherited position or human expectation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Samuel's call in 1 Samuel 3:5 offers profound and enduring insights for contemporary believers. It challenges us to cultivate a spirit of readiness and availability, echoing Samuel's immediate "Here am I," even when the source or nature of a prompting is not immediately clear. Our willingness to respond to perceived calls, whether from God, a spiritual mentor, or a pressing need in our community, is a crucial step in our spiritual journey. The passage also highlights the indispensable importance of spiritual discernment and the role of wise counsel. Just as Eli, despite his own spiritual dullness, ultimately helped Samuel recognize God's voice, we too should humbly seek guidance from mature believers when we feel a spiritual prompting or are unsure of God's direction. God's patience and persistence in calling Samuel multiple times remind us that He is not easily deterred by our initial lack of understanding or our spiritual immaturity. Developing the ability to hear and respond to God's voice is a lifelong process that requires attentiveness, humility, and a deep commitment to obedience, nurtured by both personal receptivity and the wisdom gleaned from spiritual community.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Samuel keep running to Eli if Eli wasn't calling him?
Answer: Samuel was very young, likely around 12 years old, and had been serving Eli in the tabernacle since he was weaned (1 Samuel 1:24-28). He had no prior experience with direct divine revelation. His natural and logical assumption was that any voice calling him in the night must be Eli's, as Eli was the only other person present with authority over him. His repeated actions demonstrate his profound obedience, diligence, and deep respect for his master, even in his innocent misunderstanding of the true caller, who was the Lord Himself (1 Samuel 3:4).
What does this passage teach us about discerning God's voice today?
Answer: This passage offers several crucial lessons for discerning God's voice. First, it shows that God is persistent and patient; He may call multiple times if we don't recognize Him initially (1 Samuel 3:6, 1 Samuel 3:8). Second, it highlights the importance of spiritual maturity and mentorship. Samuel needed Eli's guidance to understand that it was the Lord speaking, even though Eli himself was spiritually dull. We often need the wisdom and experience of others, particularly mature believers, to help us interpret spiritual promptings and confirm divine direction. Third, it emphasizes the need for a receptive and obedient heart, like Samuel's "Here am I" attitude, which prepares us to hear and respond when God speaks. Finally, it reminds us that God's voice may come in unexpected ways or at unexpected times, challenging our preconceived notions of how He communicates.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Samuel's call, particularly his immediate and obedient "Here am I" response, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Samuel, as a prophet, priest, and judge, served as a crucial mediator between God and Israel, delivering God's word and guiding the nation. Yet, Samuel was an imperfect servant, a shadow pointing to the perfect Servant to come. Jesus, the true and greater Samuel, embodies the perfect "Here am I" to the Father's will. From His incarnation, where He declared, "Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God" (Hebrews 10:7), to His unwavering commitment to the Father's mission, Jesus perfectly fulfilled every divine call. Unlike Samuel, who initially mistook God's voice, Jesus perfectly discerned and obeyed the Father's voice, declaring, "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things" (John 8:28). He is the ultimate Prophet, who not only delivers God's word but is the very Word made flesh (John 1:14). His life was a continuous act of perfect obedience, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross, where He perfectly accomplished the will of God for the salvation of humanity (Philippians 2:8). Thus, Samuel's diligent but initially confused obedience points forward to Christ's flawless and complete submission to the divine call, establishing Him as the perfect example for all who seek to hear and obey God's voice and inviting us into His perfect obedience.