1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to show Eli the vision.
16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
17 And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.
19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.
21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
1 Samuel 3 is a pivotal chapter in the book of 1 Samuel, as it marks the beginning of Samuel's prophetic ministry and the end of Eli's tenure as high priest. The chapter opens with a description of the spiritual climate in Israel at the time, which was characterized by a lack of revelation from God and rampant corruption among the priests. In the midst of this darkness, God calls a young boy named Samuel to be his prophet and to bring his word to the people of Israel.
The chapter can be divided into three main sections: the calling of Samuel (verses 1-10), the message from God (verses 11-18), and Samuel's response (verses 19-21). Each section reveals important themes and lessons about God's character, his relationship with his people, and the role of prophets in Israel.
The chapter begins by setting the scene in the temple of the Lord, where the lamp of God was burning. This lamp was meant to symbolize the presence of God among his people, but at this time it had gone out. This was a physical representation of the spiritual condition of Israel – the people had strayed from God and the light of his presence had dimmed.
It is against this backdrop that God calls out to Samuel, who was serving as a young apprentice to the high priest Eli. Samuel had been dedicated to the Lord by his mother Hannah, who had been barren for many years until God answered her prayers and gave her a son. Samuel's name means "heard by God" and this chapter is a powerful demonstration of how God hears and responds to the prayers of his people.
The calling of Samuel is a remarkable event, as it is the first time that God speaks directly to a prophet since the time of Moses. Samuel, who was just a young boy at the time, did not yet know the Lord and was unaware that God was speaking to him. Three times, God calls out to Samuel, and each time Samuel goes to Eli, thinking that it was him who called. It is only on the third time that Eli realizes that it is God who is speaking to Samuel and instructs him to respond, "Speak, for your servant hears." This is a powerful reminder that God often speaks to us in unexpected ways and we must be attentive and willing to listen.
Another important theme in this section is the role of spiritual mentors. Eli, despite his own failings as a high priest and father, recognizes the voice of God and helps Samuel discern it as well. He also gives Samuel wise counsel on how to respond to God's call. This serves as a reminder that we all need spiritual guidance and support as we seek to serve God.
After Samuel responds to God's call, he receives a powerful message from God. This message is a judgment against the house of Eli, as God reveals that he will punish Eli and his family for their sins and the sins of their ancestors. This judgment was a result of Eli's failure to discipline his sons, who had become corrupt and were dishonoring God by taking advantage of their positions as priests.
This message highlights the seriousness of sin and the importance of obedience to God's commands. Eli's sons had disregarded God's laws and their actions had severe consequences not just for themselves, but for their entire family. This is a reminder that our actions have consequences, not just for ourselves, but for those around us as well.
At the same time, this message also reveals God's grace and mercy. Despite the judgment against Eli's house, God still chose to speak to Samuel and call him to be his prophet. This is a powerful reminder that God's plans and purposes cannot be thwarted by human sin and failure. He is always at work, even in the midst of darkness and disobedience.
The chapter concludes with Samuel's response to God's call and message. He grows in stature and favor with both God and man, and his reputation as a prophet begins to spread throughout Israel. This section highlights the importance of obedience and faithfulness in our service to God. Samuel was faithful in delivering God's message, even when it was difficult and unpopular. As a result, he was blessed and used mightily by God.
This section also foreshadows the coming of a new era in Israel's history. Samuel's rise as a prophet marked the beginning of the end of Eli's tenure as high priest and the decline of the priesthood as a whole. God was preparing to raise up a new leader and a new system of government for Israel, as the people had grown dissatisfied with the corrupt leadership of their current rulers.
1 Samuel 3 is a powerful chapter that reveals important truths about God's character, his relationship with his people, and the role of prophets in Israel. It serves as a reminder that God is always at work, even in the midst of darkness and disobedience. It also highlights the importance of obedience and faithfulness in our service to God.
One of the main themes in this chapter is the importance of listening to God's voice. Samuel, who was just a young boy at the time, was able to hear and respond to God's call because he was willing to listen. This is a reminder that God often speaks to us in unexpected ways and we must be attentive and open to his leading.
The chapter also highlights the role of spiritual mentors in our lives. Eli, despite his own failings, was able to recognize God's voice and help Samuel discern it as well. This serves as a reminder that we all need spiritual guidance and support as we seek to serve God.
Another important lesson from this chapter is the seriousness of sin and the importance of obedience to God's commands. The judgment against the house of Eli serves as a warning against the consequences of disobedience and the importance of living a life of holiness and righteousness.
At the same time, this chapter also reveals God's grace and mercy. Despite the judgment against Eli's house, God still chose to speak to and use Samuel as his prophet. This is a reminder that God's plans and purposes cannot be thwarted by human sin and failure. He is always at work, even in the midst of darkness and disobedience.
Ultimately, 1 Samuel 3 points to the coming of a new era in Israel's history. Samuel's rise as a prophet marked the beginning of the end of Eli's tenure as high priest and the decline of the priesthood as a whole. God was preparing to raise up a new leader and a new system of government for Israel, as the people had grown dissatisfied with the corrupt leadership of their current rulers. This foreshadows the coming of King David, who would usher in a golden age for Israel and pave the way for the coming of the Messiah.
In conclusion, 1 Samuel 3 is a powerful chapter that reveals important themes and lessons about God's character, his relationship with his people, and the role of prophets in Israel. It serves as a reminder that God is always at work, even in the midst of darkness and disobedience, and that he can use anyone, regardless of their age or background, to fulfill his purposes. It also highlights the importance of obedience and faithfulness in our service to God and the role of spiritual mentors in our lives. Ultimately, this chapter points to the coming of a new era in Israel's history and the fulfillment of God's plan for his people.
Share this page