1 Samuel 3:10-20

10 The Lord came and stood there and called as he had before, "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel said, "Speak, Lord. I am your servant and I am listening."

11 The Lord said to Samuel, "Watch, I am going to do something in Israel that will shock those who hear about it.

12 At that time I will do to Eli and his family everything I promised, from beginning to end.

13 I told Eli I would punish his family always, because he knew his sons were evil. They acted without honor, but he did not stop them.

14 So I swore to Eli's family, 'Your guilt will never be removed by sacrifice or offering.'"

15 Samuel lay down until morning. Then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli about the vision,

16 but Eli called to him, "Samuel, my son!" Samuel answered, "I am here."

17 Eli asked, "What did the Lord say to you? Don't hide it from me. May God punish you terribly if you hide from me anything he said to you."

18 So Samuel told Eli everything and did not hide anything from him. Then Eli said, "He is the Lord. Let him do what he thinks is best."

19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up; he did not let any of Samuel's messages fail to come true.

20 Then all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, knew Samuel was a true prophet of the Lord.

1 Samuel 3:10-20 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.