1 Samuel 3:1-8

The LORD Calls Out to Samuel

1 The boy Samuel served the LORD under the direction of Eli. In those days the LORD didn't give many messages to his people. He didn't give them many visions.

2 One night Eli was lying down in his usual place. His eyes were becoming so weak he couldn't see very well.

3 Samuel was lying down in the LORD's house. That's where the ark of God was kept. The lamp of God was still burning.

4 The LORD called out to Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am."

5 He ran over to Eli. He said, "Here I am. You called out to me." But Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.

6 Again the LORD called out, "Samuel!" Samuel got up and went to Eli. He said, "Here I am. You called out to me." "My son," Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back and lie down."

7 Samuel didn't know the LORD yet. That's because the LORD still hadn't given him a message.

8 The LORD called out to Samuel for the third time. Samuel got up and went to Eli. He said, "Here I am. You called out to me." Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy.

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1 Samuel 3:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

1 Samuel 3:1-8

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The LORD Calls Out to Samuel

1 Samuel 3:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 3