History · Chapter 3 of 31

1 Samuel 3

In a time when God's word was rare, the boy Samuel is sleeping near the ark when the LORD calls his name. Three times Samuel runs to Eli, thinking the priest called him, until Eli realizes it is God and tells him how to answer. When God speaks again, Samuel listens and receives a hard word of judgment against Eli's house. Samuel grows, and all Israel recognizes him as a prophet of the LORD.

What happens in 1 Samuel 3

Samuel ministers before the LORD under Eli in days when the word of the LORD was rare and visions uncommon. One night, as the lamp of God still burns and Samuel lies near the ark, the LORD calls him by name. Samuel runs to Eli saying, Here am I, but Eli says he did not call and sends him back. This happens a second and third time, for Samuel does not yet know the LORD's voice. Finally Eli perceives that God is calling the boy and instructs him to answer, Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.

When the LORD calls again, God tells Samuel He will bring the judgment already spoken against Eli's house because Eli did not restrain his sons. In the morning Samuel fears to tell Eli, but the old priest presses him, and Samuel hides nothing. Eli submits, saying it is the LORD. Samuel grows, and all Israel knows he is an established prophet of the LORD.

1 Samuel 3 in context

The call of Samuel comes at a spiritual low point, when open visions were rare and the priesthood was corrupt. Samuel, the child dedicated by Hannah, has been serving at the tabernacle in Shiloh under Eli. This chapter marks the birth of his prophetic ministry and the transition of spiritual authority from the failing house of Eli to a new, faithful voice.

It also confirms the judgment announced by the man of God in the previous chapter.

Main themes of 1 Samuel 3

1 Samuel 3 (KJV)

1And 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. 2And 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; 3And 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; 4That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. 5And 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. 6And 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. 7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. 8And 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. 9Therefore 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. 10And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. 11And 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. 12In 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. 13For 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. 14And 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. 15And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. 16Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. 17And 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. 18And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good. 19And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. 20And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. 21And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.

Verses to carry from 1 Samuel 3

“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.”1 Samuel 3:9

“And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.”1 Samuel 3:10

“And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.”1 Samuel 3:19

Reflection

God still speaks through His word, and the question is whether we are truly listening. Cultivate Samuel's posture, saying, Speak, Lord, for your servant hears. Set aside the noise, come with a humble and available heart, and be willing to receive even the words that are hard. The Lord honors those who genuinely want to hear Him.

A prayer from 1 Samuel 3