TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
So 'Eli said to Sh'mu'el, "Go, and lie down. If you are called again, say, 'Speak, ADONAI; your servant is listening.' Sh'mu'el went and lay down in his place.
Berean Standard Bible
“Go and lie down,” he said to Samuel, “and if He calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
American Standard Version
Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Jehovah; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
World English Bible Messianic
Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, the LORD; for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Therefore Eli saide vnto Samuel, Goe and sleepe: and if he call thee, then say, Speake Lord, for thy seruant heareth. So Samuel went, and slept in his place.
Young's Literal Translation
And Eli saith to Samuel, `Go, lie down, and it hath been, if He doth call unto thee, that thou hast said, Speak, Jehovah, for Thy servant is hearing;' and Samuel goeth and lieth down in his place.
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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.
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 3:9 marks a seminal moment in the spiritual formation of young Samuel, serving under the aging High Priest Eli at the Tabernacle in Shiloh. Following three successive divine calls that Samuel initially mistakes for Eli's voice, this verse captures Eli's crucial, Spirit-led discernment and his pivotal instruction to the boy. Eli guides Samuel on the precise manner of responding to the LORD's direct communication, preparing him for a profound encounter that would irrevocably shape his prophetic ministry and establish him as God's chosen voice in a spiritually barren era.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse serves as the narrative pivot in a dramatic sequence that commences with the spiritual desolation described in 1 Samuel 3:1, where "the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision." The divine call to Samuel is repeated three distinct times (1 Samuel 3:4, 1 Samuel 3:6, 1 Samuel 3:8), each instance finding Samuel, unfamiliar with direct divine revelation, running to Eli. Eli's initial bewilderment gradually yields to spiritual insight, culminating in the precise instruction given in 1 Samuel 3:9. This narrative masterfully sets the stage for Samuel's emergence as a prophet, drawing a stark contrast with the spiritual decay and moral corruption of Eli's own sons, Hophni and Phinehas, whose depravity is vividly detailed in 1 Samuel 2:12-17. The passage thus highlights the transition of divine favor and leadership from a corrupt priestly line to a new, pure vessel.
Historical & Cultural Context: The events of 1 Samuel unfold during the tumultuous period of the Judges, an era consistently marked by spiritual apostasy, moral anarchy, and a profound absence of unified leadership in Israel, famously summarized by the refrain, "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). The Tabernacle at Shiloh functioned as the central sanctuary and locus of Israelite worship, housing the sacred Ark of the Covenant. However, the priesthood, under Eli and his offspring, had become deeply compromised and ineffective, creating a profound spiritual vacuum. Direct prophetic revelation, as explicitly stated in 1 Samuel 3:1, had become exceedingly rare, rendering Samuel's direct encounter with God exceptionally significant. Culturally, divine messages were typically mediated through established prophetic figures or priests, but in this pivotal moment, God bypasses the failing institutional system to raise up a fresh, unblemished voice.
Key Themes: This verse contributes profoundly to several enduring themes within the book of Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of Spiritual Discernment, as Eli, despite his personal shortcomings and the tragic failures of his family, demonstrates a crucial capacity to recognize the divine initiative and guide Samuel accordingly. This underscores the timeless importance of seasoned spiritual guidance for those new to divine encounters, a principle echoed in Hebrews 5:14, which speaks of those whose "senses have been trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." Furthermore, Samuel's instructed response, "Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth," establishes a foundational theme of Obedience and Readiness to Hear. This posture of humble submission and active listening is indispensable for receiving and acting upon divine instruction, laying the groundwork for Samuel's formidable prophetic ministry, through which he became a universally recognized prophet and judge throughout Israel, as affirmed in 1 Samuel 3:20. The narrative also subtly introduces the theme of Divine Sovereignty in choosing unlikely vessels and initiating new eras of leadership.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage masterfully employs several impactful literary devices to enhance its narrative and theological weight. Repetition is prominently featured, with God's call to Samuel occurring three times prior to this verse (1 Samuel 3:4, 1 Samuel 3:6, 1 Samuel 3:8), building narrative tension, emphasizing Samuel's initial spiritual naivete, and highlighting Eli's eventual, crucial discernment. There is a profound irony in Eli, whose own household is marked by spiritual corruption and a tragic failure to heed God's warnings (1 Samuel 2:27-36), becoming the indispensable spiritual guide for the nascent prophet Samuel. This moment of Eli's clear discernment stands out as a redemptive, albeit fleeting, highlight in his otherwise tragic and declining story. The entire scene serves as potent foreshadowing, as Samuel's humble and obedient response ("thy servant heareth") sets the definitive tone for his entire prophetic ministry, where he consistently functions as God's faithful and obedient messenger. Finally, a clear contrast is drawn between the spiritual dullness and flagrant disobedience of Eli's sons and the emerging spiritual sensitivity, teachability, and readiness of young Samuel, powerfully signaling a divine shift in favor and leadership for Israel.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 3:9 stands as a foundational text for understanding the dynamics of divine-human communication, the vital role of spiritual mentorship, and the essential posture of a receptive heart before God. Theologically, it profoundly underscores God's sovereign initiative in calling individuals into His service, often in unexpected ways and through seemingly unlikely means (a young boy in the dead of night). It highlights that discerning God's voice is rarely immediate or intuitively obvious, frequently requiring both cultivated spiritual sensitivity and, crucially, the wise guidance of mature believers. The verse also powerfully emphasizes the profound significance of a humble and obedient response to God's call; Samuel's "Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth" becomes an enduring, timeless model for all who genuinely seek to walk in God's will, signifying a readiness not merely to listen passively, but to understand deeply and to act decisively. This pivotal divine encounter marks the profound beginning of Samuel's transition from a mere temple servant to a central prophet, judge, and king-maker in Israel, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to raise up new, righteous leadership in times of spiritual decline and moral compromise.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 3:9 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers across all generations. In a world saturated with incessant noise, conflicting messages, and countless competing voices, the challenge of discerning the authentic voice of God remains paramount. Like young Samuel, we may initially struggle to recognize the myriad ways God speaks to us—whether through the inspired Scriptures, through prayer and quiet contemplation (Psalm 46:10), through providential circumstances, or through the wise counsel of trusted spiritual mentors. This verse profoundly encourages us to cultivate a posture of attentive, active listening, far beyond mere passive hearing, and to remain open to guidance from spiritually mature individuals, just as Eli graciously guided Samuel. The profound phrase "Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth" should become our consistent, heartfelt cry, signifying a deep, unquenchable desire for God's divine revelation and an unwavering commitment to obey whatever He reveals. This posture of profound readiness and humble receptivity opens the door for God to speak powerfully into our lives, to reveal His perfect will, and to use us for His glorious purposes, irrespective of our age, experience, or perceived limitations. It serves as a timeless reminder that true spiritual growth and effective service for the Kingdom of God invariably begin with a humble, attentive heart, eager to hear and respond faithfully to the sovereign voice of the LORD.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Samuel not recognize God's voice initially?
Answer: Samuel was exceptionally young and had not yet experienced a personal, direct encounter with the voice of God. The text in 1 Samuel 3:7 explicitly clarifies, "Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him." This indicates his profound inexperience with divine revelation, which was also notably rare in those days, as highlighted in 1 Samuel 3:1. He naturally assumed the voice belonged to Eli, as Eli was his primary authority figure and mentor within the Tabernacle, and the only person who would typically call him in the night.
What does Eli's role here tell us about spiritual leadership despite personal failings?
Answer: Eli's instruction to Samuel is a remarkably powerful example of spiritual insight and effective mentorship, even from an individual with significant personal and familial failings. Despite his tragic failure to adequately restrain his wicked sons (1 Samuel 2:22-25 and 1 Samuel 3:13), Eli still possessed enough spiritual understanding and discernment to recognize that God was indeed calling Samuel. This demonstrates God's profound sovereignty and grace, showing that He can and often does use imperfect vessels for His divine purposes, and that even flawed leaders can offer crucial, Spirit-led guidance to others in their spiritual journey. It is a testament to God's ability to work through individuals despite their weaknesses and inconsistencies, bringing about His will.
Is "Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth" a model for all believers?
Answer: Absolutely. Samuel's instructed response has become a timeless and universally applicable paradigm for cultivating a humble, submissive, and profoundly attentive posture before God. It perfectly embodies a readiness to listen actively, to understand deeply, and to obey God's will, whatever it may be and wherever it may lead. This attitude of receptivity, humility, and immediate obedience is fundamental to fostering a thriving, dynamic relationship with God for any believer, enabling them to consistently discern and faithfully follow His divine leading in their lives, just as Samuel did throughout his remarkable prophetic ministry. It is the heart's cry of a disciple.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound readiness of Samuel to hear God's voice and respond with "Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth" finds its ultimate, perfect, and eternal embodiment in the person of Jesus Christ. While Samuel was a servant who learned to hear and obey, Christ is the quintessential Servant of the LORD, who perfectly and eternally heard and obeyed the Father's will without blemish or deviation. Jesus Himself declared, "I always do those things that please Him" (John 8:29), demonstrating a complete, unwavering, and seamless posture of "thy servant heareth" from eternity past to His earthly ministry. Furthermore, if Samuel was a chosen vessel through whom God spoke His words, Christ Himself is the very Word of God incarnate, the ultimate, complete, and final revelation of the Father to humanity (John 1:1, Hebrews 1:1-2). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus opens the way for all believers to truly "hear" God's voice, not merely as an external command, but as an internal transformation by the Holy Spirit. We, as His sheep, are now supernaturally enabled to "hear His voice" and follow Him (John 10:27), becoming servants of righteousness through our vital union with the perfectly obedient Son. Thus, Samuel's humble declaration profoundly points forward to the perfect, redemptive obedience of Christ, who makes our own hearing and obeying of God's voice not only possible but powerfully transformative.