TRV
Translation
King James Version
Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
Complete Jewish Bible
Now Sh'mu'el didn't yet know ADONAI; the word of ADONAI had not yet been revealed to him.
Berean Standard Bible
Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, because the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
American Standard Version
Now Samuel did not yet know Jehovah, neither was the word of Jehovah yet revealed unto him.
World English Bible Messianic
Now Samuel didn’t yet know the LORD, neither was the LORD’s word yet revealed to him.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Thus did Samuel, before hee knewe the Lord, and before the word of the Lord was reueiled vnto him.
Young's Literal Translation
And Samuel hath not yet known Jehovah, and the word of Jehovah is not yet revealed unto him.
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In the KJVVerse 7,284 of 31,102
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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
Moreover, Samuel did not yet know the Lord, etc. Moreover, the Savior, whose name is God, was not yet recognized by the carnal as always knowing all the secrets of the Father, nor before He was baptized did John see and bear witness that the heavens were opened to Him, and that the voice of the Father was made upon Him from above. Thus, in the manner of Holy Scripture, the ignorance of the blessed Samuel in his childhood concealed demonstrates the wisdom of the Son of God in the infancy of the flesh. For it is not said in vain: Because in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom (Col. II), clearly to be manifested in the faithful, believing.
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 3:7 serves as a crucial contextual statement, illuminating the spiritual state of young Samuel just prior to his definitive, personal encounter with the voice of the Lord. This verse underscores that despite Samuel's dedicated service within the Tabernacle at Shiloh, his understanding of God was not yet rooted in direct, experiential revelation, thereby setting the stage for a pivotal shift in divine communication and the initiation of his prophetic ministry in Israel.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of 1 Samuel 3, which describes God's direct call to Samuel. It immediately follows the account of Samuel serving in the temple and the dire spiritual situation described in 1 Samuel 3:1, where "the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision." The preceding verses, such as 1 Samuel 3:2-6, detail Samuel's repeated confusion, mistaking God's voice for Eli's. Verse 7 acts as an explanatory parenthetical comment, clarifying why Samuel was confused: he simply hadn't yet experienced this direct form of divine communication before. It highlights the profound shift that is about to occur, moving from a period of spiritual drought to one where God raises up a new prophet through whom He will speak directly.
Historical & Cultural Context: The period of the Judges, leading into the early monarchy, was marked by significant spiritual decline in Israel. The priesthood, exemplified by Eli and his wicked sons Hophni and Phinehas (see 1 Samuel 2:12-17), had become corrupt, failing to uphold God's law and leading the people astray. Shiloh, where the Tabernacle was located, was the central place of worship, yet divine revelation had become rare. The phrase "no open vision" in 1 Samuel 3:1 indicates a general spiritual barrenness. In this environment, Samuel, dedicated to the Lord from birth by his mother Hannah (1 Samuel 1:27-28), served faithfully in the Tabernacle. However, his knowledge of God was primarily through the established rituals and Eli's instruction, not through the direct, prophetic encounters that characterized earlier periods or would define his own future ministry.
Key Themes: This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within 1 Samuel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of Divine Initiative, demonstrating that God often takes the first step in revealing Himself and initiating a relationship or calling, even when a person is faithfully serving but not yet fully aware of God's direct presence. Secondly, it highlights the Progressive Nature of Spiritual Knowledge and Revelation. Samuel's journey illustrates that intimacy with God and the discernment of His voice are often progressive processes, moving from indirect knowledge to profound, personal encounter. Thirdly, it emphasizes the Scarcity and Renewal of Divine Revelation. The verse, alongside 1 Samuel 3:1, paints a picture of a time when God's voice was rarely heard, making Samuel's subsequent call and ministry a significant turning point, signaling God's re-engagement with His people through a faithful prophet. Finally, it speaks to Preparation for Ministry, showing that Samuel's initial innocence and lack of direct prophetic experience made him a pure and receptive vessel for God's coming messages, untainted by prior assumptions or misinterpretations.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. Foreshadowing is prominent, as Samuel's current state of unknowing directly sets up the dramatic revelation that immediately follows, predicting his future role as a prophet through whom God's word will indeed be revealed. There is an element of Contrast at play: Samuel's innocent lack of direct prophetic experience stands in stark contrast to the spiritual corruption of Eli's sons and the general scarcity of divine communication in Israel. This contrast highlights Samuel's purity and readiness to be a vessel for God. Furthermore, the verse uses Irony; Samuel is serving in the very house of the Lord, yet he "did not yet know the LORD" in the most profound sense of direct encounter. This irony underscores the spiritual barrenness of the age and the sovereign initiative of God in breaking through it.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 3:7 profoundly articulates the nature of divine revelation and the sovereign initiative of God in calling individuals into His service. It teaches us that true knowledge of God, particularly in a revelatory or vocational sense, is not merely intellectual assent or dutiful service, but often involves a direct, personal, and experiential encounter initiated by God Himself. This verse highlights that God meets individuals where they are in their spiritual journey, patiently preparing them for deeper intimacy and specific callings. It also underscores the preciousness of God's word and the significance of its unveiling, especially in times of spiritual scarcity, marking a divine turning point for a nation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Samuel's initial ignorance of God's direct voice is a deeply relatable human experience, offering profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that our journey of knowing God is progressive and often involves stages of understanding. Just as Samuel was faithfully serving without yet having a direct prophetic encounter, we too may be diligent in our spiritual disciplines—prayer, Bible study, church attendance—without always experiencing a profound, immediate sense of God's presence or clear direction. This verse assures us that God meets us where we are, and His timing for deeper revelation is perfect. It invites us to cultivate a posture of humility and readiness, much like Samuel after Eli's instruction, to discern God's voice in new ways, whether through His Word, wise counsel, or direct spiritual impression. Our faithful service, even in moments of spiritual uncertainty, prepares the ground for God's sovereign and transformative revelation.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean that Samuel "did not yet know the LORD" if he was serving in the Tabernacle?
Answer: This phrase, using the Hebrew word yadaʻ (H3045), implies more than a simple lack of intellectual knowledge. Samuel certainly knew about the LORD through his upbringing and service under Eli. However, yadaʻ in this context refers to an intimate, experiential, and direct personal knowledge, particularly in the sense of prophetic revelation. Samuel had not yet experienced God speaking to him directly, supernaturally, and audibly as a prophet. His knowledge was based on tradition, observation, and Eli's instruction, not on a personal, unveiled encounter with God's voice. This is why he initially mistook the divine call for Eli's voice, as described in 1 Samuel 3:4-6. The verse highlights the rarity of direct divine communication in that era, setting the stage for Samuel's unique calling to usher in a new period of prophecy.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 3:7, depicting the scarcity of direct divine revelation before Samuel's ministry, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and complete revelation of God in Jesus Christ. While Samuel's call marked a new era of prophetic communication, it was still a partial and mediated revelation. In contrast, the New Testament declares that God, "at many times and in various ways, spoke long ago to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son" (Hebrews 1:1-2). Jesus is not merely a prophet through whom the word of the Lord is revealed; He is the Word made flesh (John 1:14), the very embodiment of God's self-disclosure. He fully "knows the Father" in an unparalleled, intimate way, declaring, "No one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him" (Matthew 11:27). Thus, Samuel's journey from not knowing the Lord directly to becoming His voice points forward to Christ, through whom all who believe can now truly "know the LORD" in a saving, intimate, and eternally revealing relationship, for He is the "image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15).