1 Samuel 3:1-8

The LORD Calls Samuel

1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.

2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place.

3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the LORD, where the ark of God was.

4 Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.”

5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

6 Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

8 A third time the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy.

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.

Cross References

• 1. S 1 Samuel 2:11
• 2. Psalms 74:9; Lamentations 2:9; Ezekiel 7:26
• 3. Amos 8:11
• 4. 1 Samuel 4:15
• 5. S Genesis 27:1
• 6. Exodus 25:31-38; Leviticus 24:1-4
• 7. 1 Samuel 1:9
• 8. Deuteronomy 10:1-5; 1 Kings 6:19; 1 Kings 8:1
• 9. S Genesis 22:1; S Exodus 3:4; Isaiah 6:8
• 10. 1 Samuel 2:12
• 11. Jeremiah 1:2
• 12. S Numbers 12:6; Amos 3:7; Acts 19:12