1 Samuel 3

The Lord's Call to Samuel

¹The child Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. The LORD’s word was rare in those days. There were not many visions, then.

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

³and God’s lamp hadn’t yet gone out, and Samuel had laid down in the LORD’s temple where God’s ark was,

⁴The LORD called Samuel. He said, “Here I am.”

⁵He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” He said, “I didn’t call. Lie down again.” He went and lay down.

⁶The LORD called yet again, “Samuel!” Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” He answered, “I didn’t call, my son. Lie down again.”

⁷Now Samuel didn’t yet know the LORD, neither was the LORD’s word yet revealed to him.

⁸The LORD called Samuel again the third time. He arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.

⁹Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down. It shall be, if he calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD; for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

¹⁰The LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak; for your servant hears.”

¹¹The LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I will do a thing in Israel at which both the ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.

¹²In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from the beginning even to the end.

¹³For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves, and he didn’t restrain them.

¹⁴Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be removed with sacrifice or offering forever.”

¹⁵Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the LORD’s house. Samuel was afraid to show Eli the vision.

¹⁶Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son!” He said, “Here I am.”

¹⁷He said, “What is the thing that he has spoken to you? Please don’t hide it from me. God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the things that he spoke to you.”

¹⁸Samuel told him every bit, and hid nothing from him. He said, “It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him.”

¹⁹Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.

²⁰All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.

²¹The LORD appeared again in Shiloh; for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the LORD’s word.

Previous 1 Samuel 2

Next 1 Samuel 4

God calls the young Samuel three times during the night, but Samuel initially mistakes the divine voice for Eli's call. After Eli realizes God is speaking to the boy, he instructs Samuel how to respond properly. God then delivers a harsh judgment against Eli's house for his failure to restrain his corrupt sons, marking Samuel's first prophetic revelation and establishing him as God's recognized prophet throughout Israel.

Context

This chapter marks the transition from Eli's failed priestly leadership to Samuel's emerging prophetic ministry, following the corruption of Eli's sons described in previous chapters.

Key Themes

Outline

1-3
Setting the Scene Samuel ministers in the temple during a time when God's word and visions are rare, while aging Eli sleeps nearby.
4-7
The Mysterious Calls God calls Samuel twice, but the inexperienced boy runs to Eli thinking the priest had summoned him.
8-10
Eli's Recognition and Instruction After the third call, Eli realizes God is speaking to Samuel and teaches him how to respond properly.
11-14
God's Judgment Revealed The Lord announces His irrevocable judgment against Eli's house for the priest's failure to restrain his wicked sons.
15-18
Samuel's Reluctant Report Though fearful, Samuel faithfully delivers God's harsh message to Eli, who accepts the divine judgment.
19-21
Samuel's Prophetic Establishment Samuel grows in favor with God and is recognized throughout Israel as the Lord's established prophet.

The Lord's Call to Samuel

3:1–3:21

narrative dialogue solemn

God calls young Samuel three times during the night, with Eli's guidance helping Samuel recognize God's voice. God reveals His judgment against Eli's house, marking Samuel's prophetic calling.

person_contrast

Samuel's threefold nocturnal calling mirrors the priestly blessing's triple invocation, establishing divine communication through repetition while Eli's failing eyesight symbolically represents Israel's spiritual blindness.