1 Samuel 3:11-21

11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, "I am going to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears it ring.

12 On that day I am going to do to Eli and his family everything I said from beginning to end.

13 I told him that I would hand down a permanent judgment against his household because he knew about his sons' sin--that they were cursing God --but he didn't try to stop them.

14 That is why I have taken an oath concerning Eli's family line: No offering or sacrifice will ever [be able to] make peace for the sins that Eli's family committed."

15 Samuel remained in bed until morning. Then he opened the doors of the LORD's house. But Samuel was afraid to tell Eli about the vision.

16 Then Eli called Samuel. "Samuel, my son!" he said. "Here I am," he responded.

17 "What did the LORD tell you?" he asked. "Please don't hide anything from me. May God strike you dead if you hide anything he told you from me."

18 So Samuel told Eli everything. Eli replied, "He is the LORD. May he do what he thinks is right."

19 Samuel grew up. The LORD was with him and didn't let any of his words go unfulfilled.

20 All Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew Samuel was the LORD's appointed prophet.

21 The LORD continued to appear in Shiloh, since the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh through the word of the LORD. And Samuel spoke to all Israel.

1 Samuel 3:11-21 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.