1 Samuel 3 Study Notes
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3:13 Eli did try to stop his sons (2:23-25), but apparently his words came after he had let their abuses continue too long.
3:14 The phrase wiped out might be translated “atoned for.”
3:15 Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision, probably because Eli had served as Samuel’s guardian and mentor and Samuel did not want to give him bad news.
3:16-17 Eli’s words sound harsh, but they were probably intended to encourage Samuel to share the full details of his revelation. This was the standard form of an oath (cp. 2Sm 3:35).
3:18 The Lord’s word to Samuel confirmed the earlier word that Eli had received from the man of God (2:27-36). Eli’s words emphasize the sovereignty of God.
3:19 Samuel began his prophetic ministry, and the Lord authenticated it according to Dt 18:21-22.
3:20 The cities of Dan and Beer-sheba essentially marked the northern and southern borders of Israel, respectively, spanning a distance of about 110 miles (2Sm 3:10; 24:2).
3:21 Samuel had demonstrated a willingness to receive and follow God’s word, so the Lord continued to appear in Shiloh, whereas he had not done so during the unfaithfulness of Eli’s day (v. 1).