1 Samuel 3:1-6

1 The boy Samuel was serving God under Eli's direction. This was at a time when the revelation of God was rarely heard or seen.

2 One night Eli was sound asleep (his eyesight was very bad - he could hardly see).

3 It was well before dawn; the sanctuary lamp was still burning. Samuel was still in bed in the Temple of God, where the Chest of God rested.

4 Then God called out, "Samuel, Samuel!"

5 Then he ran to Eli saying, "I heard you call. Here I am." Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back to bed." And so he did.

6 God called again, "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel got up and went to Eli, "I heard you call. Here I am."

1 Samuel 3:1-6 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.