1 Samuel 3:7

KJV

Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now Samuel {H8050} did not yet {H2962} know {H3045} the LORD {H3068}, neither was the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} yet revealed {H1540} 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.

Commentary

### 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](/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." The preceding verses (e.g., [1 Samuel 3:2-6](/1_samuel/3-2 "1 Samuel 3:2-6 - Samuel's Initial Encounters with God's Voice")) 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](/1_samuel/2-12 "1 Samuel 2:12-17 - The Wickedness of Eli's Sons")), 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](/1_samuel/3-1 "1 Samuel 3:1 - The Scarcity of Prophetic Revelation") indicates a general spiritual barrenness. In this environment, Samuel, dedicated to the Lord from birth by his mother Hannah ([1 Samuel 1:27-28](/1_samuel/1-27 "1 Samuel 1:27-28 - Hannah Dedicates Samuel to the Lord")), 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](/1_samuel/1 "The Book of 1 Samuel - The Rise of Monarchy and Prophecy"). 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](/1_samuel/3-1 "1 Samuel 3:1 - The Scarcity of Prophetic Revelation"), 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
* **Know (Hebrew, _yada'_):** This verb signifies more than mere intellectual acquaintance; it implies an intimate, experiential, and relational knowledge. It often describes deep personal experience, as in a marital relationship. In this context, Samuel's "not yet knowing the LORD" means he had not yet had a direct, personal, and revelatory encounter with God's voice. He knew *about* the LORD through his service and Eli's teaching, but he had not yet *known* Him in the profound, communicative sense that was about to unfold.
* **Revealed (Hebrew, _galah'_):** This word literally means "to uncover," "to disclose," or "to make bare." It is used in the context of divine revelation to describe God unveiling Himself, His will, or His word to humanity. The statement that "the word of the LORD was not yet revealed unto him" emphasizes that God had not yet pulled back the veil of ordinary experience to communicate directly and supernaturally with Samuel in a prophetic capacity. This highlights the unprecedented nature of the coming encounter for Samuel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD":** This clause clarifies Samuel's spiritual maturity and experience level. Despite his dedication to temple service from childhood and his upbringing under Eli, Samuel had not yet experienced a direct, personal, and intimate encounter with God's voice or presence in a revelatory way. His knowledge was observational and instructional, not yet experiential in the prophetic sense. This sets the stage for the dramatic nature of God's call.
* **"neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him":** This parallel clause reinforces the first, specifying the *type* of knowledge Samuel lacked. It was not merely a general lack of spiritual understanding, but specifically the absence of direct, unveiled divine communication. This echoes the broader spiritual drought mentioned 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." Samuel's experience was typical of the era, making his subsequent call all the more significant as a turning point.

#### 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.

* [Jeremiah 9:24](/jeremiah/9-24 "Jeremiah 9:24 - Knowing the LORD")
* [John 17:3](/john/17-3 "John 17:3 - Eternal Life is Knowing God")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Speaks Through His Son")

### 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
* **In what ways might I be "serving the Lord" without yet "knowing Him" in a deeper, more personal, or revelatory sense?**
* **How does Samuel's initial confusion encourage me in my own journey of discerning God's voice?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a greater openness and readiness for God to reveal Himself to me in new ways?**
* **How does God's timing in Samuel's life speak to my own impatience or expectation for immediate spiritual clarity?**

### 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 *yada'*, implies more than a simple lack of intellectual knowledge. Samuel certainly knew *about* the LORD through his upbringing and service under Eli. However, *yada'* 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](/1_samuel/3-4 "1 Samuel 3:4-6 - Samuel's Confusion"). 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](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Speaks Through His Son")). Jesus is not merely a prophet through whom the word of the Lord is revealed; He *is* the Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), 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](/matthew/11-27 "Matthew 11:27 - No One Knows the Father Except the Son")). 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](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 19:2

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

Jeremiah 9:24

But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I [am] the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these [things] I delight, saith the LORD.