1 Samuel 3:9

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.

Therefore Eli {H5941} said {H559} unto Samuel {H8050}, Go {H3212}, lie down {H7901}: and it shall be, if he call {H7121} thee, that thou shalt say {H559}, Speak {H1696}, LORD {H3068}; for thy servant {H5650} heareth {H8085}. So Samuel {H8050} went {H3212} and lay down {H7901} in his place {H4725}.

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.

โ€œGo and lie down,โ€ he said to Samuel, โ€œand if He calls you, say, โ€˜Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.โ€™โ€ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

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.

Commentary

1 Samuel 3:9 marks a pivotal moment in the life of young Samuel, who was serving under the aged priest Eli in the Tabernacle at Shiloh. God had called Samuel three times during the night, but Samuel, unfamiliar with the divine voice, mistook it for Eli's. This verse shows Eli's spiritual insight, as he finally discerns that the LORD Himself is calling the boy. Eli, despite his personal failings and his sons' wickedness (as described in 1 Samuel 2:12), still possessed enough spiritual understanding to guide Samuel toward a direct encounter with God.

Key Themes

Spiritual Discernment and Mentorship

Eli's instruction to Samuel highlights the importance of spiritual discernment. Even a seasoned leader like Eli had to pause and recognize the hand of God at work, guiding Samuel to understand the source of the voice. This act of mentorship is crucial for spiritual growth, as it helps individuals, especially the young or inexperienced, to recognize and respond to God's presence. It underscores that spiritual maturity often involves learning to distinguish divine communication from ordinary experiences, a theme further explored in Hebrews 5:14 regarding those who "by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

Obedience and Readiness to Hear

Samuel's response, "Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth," becomes a timeless model for responding to God's call. It signifies a posture of humility, readiness, and active listening. It's not just a passive hearing but an attentive and submissive heart prepared to receive and act upon divine instruction. This phrase encapsulates the essence of biblical obedience, emphasizing that true hearing leads to readiness for action. This foundational readiness is what enables God to use individuals powerfully, as He did with Samuel, who became a great prophet and judge in Israel, as detailed in 1 Samuel 3:20.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase 'heareth' in KJV comes from the Hebrew verb shama (ืฉึธืืžึทืข). While it literally means 'to hear,' in biblical Hebrew, shama often carries the deeper connotation of 'to listen attentively,' 'to understand,' and crucially, 'to obey.' It implies not merely perceiving sound, but actively engaging with the message and being prepared to act upon it. Thus, Samuel's declaration, 'thy servant shama,' is a profound statement of willingness to submit to divine will and carry out whatever the LORD commands, setting the stage for his prophetic ministry.

Significance and Application

1 Samuel 3:9 offers profound lessons for believers today. It teaches us the importance of:

  • Discerning God's Voice: Like Samuel, we may initially struggle to recognize how God speaks. This verse encourages us to seek guidance from mature believers (like Eli) and to cultivate an ear for divine communication.
  • A Posture of Readiness: The phrase 'Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth' should be our consistent attitude. It's an invitation to God to speak into our lives and a commitment to listen and obey. This readiness opens the door for God to reveal His will and purpose for us, just as He did for Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:10.
  • Humility in Service: Samuel, a young boy, was ready to serve the Almighty. This highlights that God can use anyone, regardless of age or experience, who is willing to listen and obey.

This verse serves as a timeless reminder that spiritual growth and effective service begin with a humble, attentive heart, eager to hear and respond to the voice of the LORD.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 85:8 (6 votes)

    ยถ I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

  • Exodus 20:19 (6 votes)

    And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

  • Isaiah 6:8 (5 votes)

    Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here [am] I; send me.

  • Acts 9:6 (3 votes)

    And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

  • Daniel 10:19 (2 votes)

    And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace [be] unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.