1 Samuel 3:2

2 It happened 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),

1 Samuel 3:2 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 3:2

And it came to pass at that time
When the word of the Lord was scarce and precious, and there was no open vision; or, as Ben Gersom, the same day the man of God came to Eli at night, the following affair happened:

when Eli was laid down in his place;
on his bed to sleep, in one of the chambers or apartments of the tabernacle; for as there were such in the temple for the priests, so in that:

and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
to help himself to anything he might want when in bed; which seems to be the reason Samuel lay near him, and why, when he heard his voice, he immediately ran to him, supposing he needed his assistance. Some, as Kimchi and others, understand this not of the eyes of his body, but of his mind; and that the Holy Spirit, as a spirit of prophecy, was departing from him, because of his connivance at the sins of his sons; and so the following prophecy came not to him, but to Samuel.

1 Samuel 3:2 In-Context

1 The child Shemu'el ministered to the LORD before `Eli. The word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision.

2 It happened 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 Shemu'el had laid down [to sleep], in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was;

4 that the LORD called Shemu'el; and he said, Here am I.

5 He ran to `Eli, and said, Here am I; for you called me. He said, I didn't call; lie down again. He went and lay down.