1 Samuel 3

This chapter falls in the early part of 1 Samuel. 1 Samuel 2 describes the sins of Eli's sons and ends with a man of God foretelling judgment on Eli's house. Chapter 3 follows with a narrative in which that prediction is confirmed again, this time to the boy Samuel.

Outline

• Verses 1–3: The word of the LORD is rare in this period. Eli, whose eyesight has grown dim, is lying down in his own place, and Samuel is lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God is.
• Verses 4–9: The LORD calls Samuel three times, and each time Samuel runs to Eli. At the third call Eli perceives that the LORD is calling the boy and tells him to answer, "Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth."
• Verses 10–14: At the fourth call Samuel answers as instructed. The LORD pronounces judgment on Eli's house: because Eli knew of his sons' sins and did not restrain them, their iniquity will not be purged by sacrifice or offering.
• Verses 15–18: Samuel is afraid to tell Eli the vision. When Eli urges him to hide nothing, Samuel tells him everything, and Eli accepts it, saying, "It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good."
• Verses 19–21: None of Samuel's words fall to the ground. All Israel from Dan to Beersheba comes to know that he is a prophet, and the LORD again reveals himself at Shiloh.

Key Verses

• 1 Samuel 3:1: "The word of the LORD was precious in those days" — reflects the background of an era in which revelation was rare.
• 1 Samuel 3:10: "Speak; for thy servant heareth" — frequently cited as the classic expression of a willing response to God's call.
• 1 Samuel 3:20: The turning point at which Samuel is recognized by all Israel as a prophet.

People and Places

• Samuel: The son whom Hannah dedicated to the LORD in fulfillment of her vow. He grew up at the tabernacle.
• Eli: The priest at Shiloh.
• Shiloh: The site of the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant.
• Dan and Beersheba: The northern and southern extremities of the land of Israel, respectively. The phrase "from Dan even to Beersheba" denotes the whole of Israel.

Interpretive Considerations

• The text refers to Samuel only as a "child." The claim that he was twelve years old at the time is said to come from later Jewish tradition, such as Josephus.
• The words in verse 3, "ere the lamp of God went out," are generally read as indicating the hours before dawn. Some interpreters also see the lamp as a symbol of hope remaining amid spiritual darkness.
• Views differ on how the chapter should be applied. Some read it as a model for how individuals hear God's voice, while others regard it as a unique revelatory event that established Samuel as a prophet.
• The judgment on Eli's house begins to be carried out in 1 Samuel 4.
• In the New Testament, Acts 3 (verse 24) refers to Samuel as if he marked the beginning of the line of prophets, and Hebrews 11 (verse 32) names him among the heroes of faith.

In the Korean Church

The chapter is often taught in Sunday school as the story of young Samuel's call. The words "Speak; for thy servant heareth" are frequently quoted in sermons on prayer and calling.