1 Samuel 3:2-4

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.”

1 Samuel 3:2-4 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. 1 Samuel 4:15
• 2. S Genesis 27:1
• 3. Exodus 25:31-38; Leviticus 24:1-4
• 4. 1 Samuel 1:9
• 5. Deuteronomy 10:1-5; 1 Kings 6:19; 1 Kings 8:1
• 6. S Genesis 22:1; S Exodus 3:4; Isaiah 6:8