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 Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. the LORD’s word was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision. ​
2
At that time, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see), ​
3
and the lamp of God hadn’t yet gone out, and Samuel had laid down in the LORD’s temple, where the ark of God was; ​

The Lord Calls Samuel

4
the LORD called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.”
5
He ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” He said, “I didn’t call; lie down again.” He went and lay down.
6
The LORD called yet again, “Samuel!” Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” He answered, “I didn’t call, my son; lie down again.”
7
Now Samuel didn’t yet know the LORD, neither was the LORD’s word yet revealed to him. ​
8
The LORD called Samuel again the third time. He arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. ​
9
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. ​
10
The LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak; for your servant hears.”

God Pronounces Judgment on Eli's House

11
The LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of everyone who hears it shall tingle. ​
12
In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from the beginning even to the end.
13
For I have told him that I will judge his house forever, for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves, and he didn’t restrain them. ​
14
Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be removed with sacrifice nor offering forever.” ​
15
Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the LORD’s house. Samuel feared to show Eli the vision.
16
Then Eli called Samuel, and said, “Samuel, my son!” He said, “Here I am.”
17
He said, “What is the thing that he has spoken to you? Please don’t hide it from me. God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the things that he spoke to you.”
18
Samuel told him every bit, and hid nothing from him. He said, “It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him.” ​

Samuel Established as a Prophet

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

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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