1 Samuel 3:2

2 And at that time, when Eli was resting in his place, (now his eyes were becoming clouded so that he was not able to 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 Now the young Samuel was the servant of the Lord before Eli. In those days the Lord kept his word secret from men; there was no open vision.

2 And at that time, when Eli was resting in his place, (now his eyes were becoming clouded so that he was not able to see,)

3 And the light of God was still burning, while Samuel was sleeping in the Temple of the Lord where the ark of God was,

4 The voice of the Lord said Samuel's name; and he said, Here am I.

5 And running to Eli he said, Here am I, for you said my name. And Eli said, I did not say your name; go to your rest again. So he went back to his bed.