1 Samuel 3:1-7

1 The child Shemu'el ministered to the LORD before `Eli. The word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision.

2 It happened at that time, when `Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see),

3 and the lamp of God hadn't yet gone out, and Shemu'el had laid down [to sleep], in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was;

4 that the LORD called Shemu'el; and he said, Here am I.

5 He ran to `Eli, and said, Here am I; for you called me. He said, I didn't call; lie down again. He went and lay down.

6 The LORD called yet again, Shemu'el. Shemu'el arose and went to `Eli, and said, Here am I; for you called me. He answered, I didn't call, my son; lie down again.

7 Now Shemu'el didn't yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.

1 Samuel 3:1-7 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.