1 Samuel3

The young Samuel, ministering under the aged Eli, receives a direct call from the LORD during a time when divine revelation was scarce. After initially mistaking the voice for Eli's, Samuel is instructed by Eli to respond, whereupon the LORD reveals a severe judgment against Eli's house for his sons' wickedness and Eli's failure to restrain them. Samuel faithfully conveys this difficult message to Eli, who humbly accepts the divine decree, leading to Samuel's establishment as a recognized prophet throughout Israel.

The Word of the Lord Was Rare

1
The child Sh'mu'el continued ministering to ADONAI under 'Eli's direction. Now, in those days ADONAI rarely spoke, and visions were few. ​
2
Once, during that period, 'Eli had gone to bed - his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that it was hard for him to see. ​
3
The lamp of God had not yet gone out; and Sh'mu'el had lain down to sleep in the sanctuary of ADONAI, where the ark of God was. ​

The Lord Calls Samuel

4
ADONAI called, "Sh'mu'el!" and he answered, "Here I am."
5
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.
6
ADONAI called a second time, "Sh'mu'el!"Sh'mu'el got up, went to 'Eli and said, "Here I am - you called me." He answered, "I didn't call, my son; lie down again."
7
Now Sh'mu'el didn't yet know ADONAI; the word of ADONAI had not yet been revealed to him. ​
8
ADONAI called, "Sh'mu'el!" again, a third time. He got up, went to 'Eli and said, "Here I am - you called me." At last 'Eli realized it was ADONAI calling the child. ​
9
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. ​
10
ADONAI came and stood, then spoke as at the other times: "Sh'mu'el! Sh'mu'el!"Then Sh'mu'el said, "Speak; your servant is listening."

God Pronounces Judgment on Eli's House

11
ADONAI said to Sh'mu'el, "Look! I am going to do something in Isra'el that will make both ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. ​
12
On that day I will do against 'Eli everything I have said with regard to his family, from beginning to end.
13
For I have told him that I will execute judgment against his family forever, because of his wickedness in not rebuking his sons, even though he knew that they had brought a curse on themselves. ​
14
Therefore I have sworn to the family of 'Eli that the wickedness of 'Eli's family will never be atoned for by any sacrifice or offering." ​
15
Sh'mu'el lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of ADONAI. But Sh'mu'el was afraid to tell 'Eli the vision.
16
Then 'Eli called Sh'mu'el: "Sh'mu'el, my son!" He answered, "Here I am."
17
'Eli said, "What did he say to you? Please, don't hide it from me; may God do to you whatever he said and worse, if you hide from me anything he said to you."
18
So Sh'mu'el told him every word and hid nothing. 'Eli replied, "It is ADONAI; let him do what seems good to him." ​

Samuel Established as a Prophet

19
Sh'mu'el kept growing, ADONAI was with him, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. ​
20
All Isra'el from Dan to Be'er-Sheva became aware that Sh'mu'el had been confirmed as a prophet of ADONAI. ​
21
ADONAI continued appearing in Shiloh, for ADONAI revealed himself to Sh'mu'el in Shiloh by the word of ADONAI. ​

Study Notes for 1 Samuel 3

Verse 1

The phrase "word of the LORD was precious" (rare or expensive) highlights a period of spiritual scarcity and prophetic silence in Israel, contrasting sharply with Samuel's subsequent ministry.

Verse 2

Eli's failing eyesight (a sign of old age and weakness) contrasts with Samuel’s youth and spiritual readiness, symbolizing the passing of religious authority.

Verse 3

The "lamp of God" refers to the seven-branched lampstand (Menorah) in the sanctuary. The setting (just before dawn) emphasizes that Samuel was sleeping near the very presence of God (the Ark), preparing him for revelation.

Verse 7

Samuel had not yet experienced a direct, personal prophetic encounter with Yahweh. This verse emphasizes that prophetic knowledge is revealed by God, not inherited or achieved through ritual service alone.

Verse 8

Eli, despite his physical blindness and spiritual failures, still retained enough priestly insight to discern that God was initiating contact with the boy, demonstrating a final act of faithful guidance.

Verse 9

Eli provides the standard formula for answering a divine call: acknowledging God’s sovereignty ("Speak, LORD") and declaring humble submission ("thy servant heareth").

Verse 11

The judgment is so shocking and severe that it will cause a physical, involuntary reaction. This hyperbolic language emphasizes the terror and gravity of the coming divine punishment upon Israel's high priestly line.

Verse 13

Eli’s failure was not accidental but willful neglect (omission). He honored his sons above God and failed to use his authority ("restrained them not") to curb their flagrant abuse of their priestly office.

Verse 14

This declaration underscores the severity of the sin. Eli’s failure was so profound that even the prescribed ritual system of sacrifice could not reverse the irreversible divine decree.

Verse 18

Eli’s response, 'It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good,' is a profound statement of submission to God's sovereign will, demonstrating personal piety even in the face of warranted destruction.

Verse 19

This verse affirms Samuel’s divine calling. The phrase 'did let none of his words fall to the ground' means every prophecy given by Samuel was fulfilled, building his credibility as God's true messenger.

Verse 20

"From Dan even to Beersheba" is a geographical merism (a figure of speech using two extremes to represent the whole), signifying that Samuel was recognized as the legitimate prophet throughout the entire territory of Israel.

Verse 21

The appearance of the Lord is linked directly to revelation through "the word." This establishes Samuel as the conduit through which God would speak to the nation, ending the spiritual silence mentioned in verse 1.

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