1 Samuel Chapter 3 — The Call of Samuel
The Lord calls the young Samuel three times in the night before revealing a message of judgment regarding the priest Eli and his family.
1The child Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. The LORD’s word was rare in those days. There were not many visions, then.
2At that time, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see),
3and God’s lamp hadn’t yet gone out, and Samuel had laid down in the LORD’s temple where God’s ark was,
4The LORD called Samuel. He said, “Here I am.”
5He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.”
6The LORD called yet again, “Samuel!”
7Now Samuel didn’t yet know the LORD, neither was the LORD’s word yet revealed to him.
8The LORD called Samuel again the third time. He arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.”
9Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down. It shall be, if he calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD; for your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10The LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
11The LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I will do a thing in Israel at which both the ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.
12In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from the beginning even to the end.
13For 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.
14Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be removed with sacrifice or offering forever.”
15Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the LORD’s house. Samuel was afraid to show Eli the vision.
16Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son!”
17He 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.”
18Samuel told him every bit, and hid nothing from him.
19Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.
20All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.
21The LORD appeared again in Shiloh; for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the LORD’s word.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
1 Samuel 3:9
“Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down. It shall be, if he calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD; for your servant hears.’ ””
This verse provides the famous response used to express humility and a willingness to listen to God.
1 Samuel 3:19
“Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.”
It marks the successful beginning of Samuel's ministry and confirms his words were divinely inspired.
Chapter Summary
In 1 Samuel 3, the young Samuel is serving in the temple under the priest Eli during a time when visions and words from the Lord were rare. While Samuel is sleeping near the ark of God, the Lord calls his name. Initially, Samuel mistakes the voice for Eli’s and runs to him three times. Eventually, Eli realizes it is God speaking and instructs Samuel on how to respond. When the Lord calls again, He reveals a message of coming judgment against Eli’s house because Eli did not restrain his sons' sinful behavior. The next morning, Samuel reluctantly shares the full message with Eli, who accepts the Lord's will. As Samuel grows, the Lord remains with him and ensures his prophecies are fulfilled. Consequently, all of Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognizes that Samuel is established as a prophet of the Lord, as God continues to reveal Himself through His word at Shiloh.
Frequently Asked Questions
The text explains that Samuel did not yet know the Lord in a revelatory way, as the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. He was a child serving under Eli, so he naturally assumed his human mentor was the one calling him.
God told Samuel that He would fulfill the previous warnings against Eli's family and judge his house forever. This judgment was due to the iniquity of Eli's sons and Eli's failure to restrain their blasphemous actions.
As Samuel grew, the Lord continued to be with him and ensured that all of his prophecies were accurate. Everyone from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was established as a trustworthy prophet because the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel through His word.
Study Note
The phrase 'God’s lamp hadn’t yet gone out' refers to the golden lampstand in the Tabernacle, which was traditionally tended to burn through the night until the morning.
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