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.
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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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