1 Samuel 3:11

11 The Lord said to him, "Some day I am going to do something to the people of Israel that is so terrible that everyone who hears about it will be stunned.

1 Samuel 3:11 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 3:11

And the Lord said to Samuel
The voice of the Lord continued speaking to him: behold,

I will do a thing in Israel;
which may be particularly interpreted of the taking of the ark, and the slaying of the two sons of Eli; and which is elsewhere represented as the Lord's doing, for the sins of Eli's family, ( Psalms 78:61 Psalms 78:62 )

at which both the ears of everyone that heareth it shall tingle;
be struck with horror and amazement, and quite stunned, and know not what to think or say, like persons surprised with a violent clap of thunder, which strikes their ears so strongly, that the noise of it is not soon gone from them; this was verified in Eli, and in his daughter-in-law particularly, who, at the news of the above things, the one fell backwards and broke his neck, and the other fell into labour and died; and all Israel were struck with astonishment at these things.

1 Samuel 3:11 In-Context

9 so he said to him, "Go back to bed; and if he calls you again, say, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went back to bed.

10 The Lord came and stood there, and called as he had before, "Samuel! Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak; your servant is listening."

11 The Lord said to him, "Some day I am going to do something to the people of Israel that is so terrible that everyone who hears about it will be stunned.

12 On that day I will carry out all my threats against Eli's family, from beginning to end.

13 I have already told him that I am going to punish his family forever because his sons have spoken evil things against me. Eli knew they were doing this, but he did not stop them.