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.
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The Word of the Lord Was Rare

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; ​

The Lord Calls Samuel

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.

God Pronounces Judgment on Eli's House

11
And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. ​
12
In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
13
For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. ​
14
And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. ​
15
And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
16
Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
17
And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
18
And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good. ​

Samuel Established as a Prophet

19
And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. ​
20
And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. ​
21
And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD. ​

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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