1 Samuel 3

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.

6 The LORD called yet again, Shemu'el. Shemu'el arose and went to `Eli, and said, Here am I; for you called me. He answered, I didn't call, my son; lie down again.

7 Now Shemu'el didn't yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.

8 The LORD called Shemu'el again the third time. He arose and went to `Eli, and said, Here am I; for you called me. `Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.

9 Therefore `Eli said to Shemu'el, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call you, that you shall say, Speak, the LORD; for your servant hears. So Shemu'el went and lay down in his place.

10 The LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Shemu'el, Shemu'el. Then Shemu'el said, Speak; for your servant hears.

11 The LORD said to Shemu'el, Behold, I will do a thing in Yisra'el, 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 did bring 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 expiated with sacrifice nor offering forever.

15 Shemu'el lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. Shemu'el feared to show `Eli the vision.

16 Then `Eli called Shemu'el, and said, Shemu'el, my son. He said, Here am I.

17 He said, "What is the thing that [the LORD] 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 Shemu'el told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. He said, It is the LORD: let him do what seems him good.

19 Shemu'el grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

20 All Yisra'el from Dan even to Be'er-Sheva knew that Shemu'el was established to be a prophet of the LORD.

21 The LORD appeared again in Shiloh; for the LORD revealed himself to Shemu'el in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.

1 Samuel 3 Commentary

Chapter 3

The word of the Lord first revealed to Samuel. (1-10) God tells Samuel the destruction of Eli's house. (11-18) Samuel established to be a prophet. (19-21)

Verses 1-10 The call which Divine grace designs shall be made effectual; will be repeated till it is so, till we come to the call. Eli, perceiving that it was the voice of God that Samuel heard, instructed him what to say. Though it was a disgrace to Eli, for God's call to be directed to Samuel, yet he told him how to meet it. Thus the elder should do their utmost to assist and improve the younger that are rising up. Let us never fail to teach those who are coming after us, even such as will soon be preferred before us, ( John 1:30 ) . Good words should be put into children's mouths betimes, by which they may be prepared to learn Divine things, and be trained up to regard them.

Verses 11-18 What a great deal of guilt and corruption is there in us, concerning which we may say, It is the iniquity which our own heart knoweth; we are conscious to ourselves of it! Those who do not restrain the sins of others, when it is in their power to do it, make themselves partakers of the guilt, and will be charged as joining in it. In his remarkable answer to this awful sentence, Eli acknowledged that the Lord had a right to do as he saw good, being assured that he would do nothing wrong. The meekness, patience, and humility contained in those words, show that he was truly repentant; he accepted the punishment of his sin.

Verses 19-21 All increase in wisdom and grace, is owing to the presence of God with us. God will graciously repeat his visits to those who receive them aright. Early piety will be the greatest honour of young people. Those who honour God he will honour. Let young people consider the piety of Samuel, and from him they will learn to remember their Creator in the days of their youth. Young children are capable of religion. Samuel is a proof that their waiting upon the Lord will be pleasing to him. He is a pattern of all those amiable tempers, which are the brightest ornament of youth, and a sure source of happiness.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 3

This chapter gives an account of the Lord's calling to Samuel in the night season, which he first took for the voice of Eli, but being instructed by him, made answer to the voice, 1Sa 3:1-10, and of a message sent from him by Samuel to Eli, foretelling the destruction of his family, 1Sa 3:11-14 and of the delivery of it to him, which Samuel was first fearful of doing, but, encouraged by Eli, he delivered it to him, to which he patiently submitted, 1Sa 3:15-18 and the chapter is closed with the establishment of Samuel as a prophet of the Lord, who continued to appear and reveal himself to him, 1Sa 3:19-21.