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 shew 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.
Summary of 1 Samuel Chapter 3
1 Samuel Chapter 3 narrates the pivotal moment in the life of Samuel, a young boy serving under Eli the priest. This chapter marks the beginning of Samuel’s prophetic ministry and God’s communication with him, setting the stage for his future role as a leader in Israel.
Key Characters
- Samuel: A young boy dedicated to the service of the Lord, raised in the temple under Eli’s guidance.
- Eli: The high priest and judge of Israel, who is growing old and whose sons are corrupt.
- God: The Lord who calls Samuel, initiating a new phase in Israel’s history.
Context and Setting
The chapter is set during a time when the word of the Lord was rare, and visions were infrequent. The spiritual state of Israel is depicted as being in decline, with Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, engaging in corrupt practices. This context emphasizes the need for a prophet to guide the people back to God.
Plot Overview
- God Calls Samuel (Verses 1-10):
While Samuel is sleeping in the temple, God calls out to him. Initially, Samuel does not recognize the voice and thinks it is Eli calling him. After three attempts, Eli realizes that God is calling Samuel and instructs him to respond appropriately. When God calls again, Samuel answers, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
- God’s Message (Verses 11-14):
God reveals to Samuel a judgment against Eli’s household due to the sins of his sons. This message is significant as it indicates a shift in leadership and the consequences of corruption within the priesthood.
- Samuel’s Hesitation (Verses 15-18):
Samuel is afraid to share the message with Eli. However, Eli insists that Samuel tell him everything. Samuel conveys the message, and Eli accepts it, acknowledging the righteousness of God’s judgment.
- Samuel’s Growth (Verses 19-21):
As Samuel grows, the Lord continues to be with him, and he becomes recognized as a prophet. The chapter concludes by highlighting that God reveals Himself to Samuel at Shiloh, affirming Samuel’s role as a mediator between God and the people of Israel.
Theological Themes
- Divine Calling: The chapter emphasizes the importance of recognizing and responding to God’s call, illustrating that God can choose anyone to fulfill His purposes.
- Judgment and Accountability: Eli’s family faces judgment due to their failure to uphold God’s standards, highlighting the consequences of sin and the need for accountability among leaders.
- God’s Sovereignty: The narrative underscores God’s control over Israel’s destiny, as He raises up Samuel to lead His people during a time of spiritual decline.
Literary Analysis
The narrative employs a straightforward structure, with a clear progression from God’s call to Samuel’s acceptance of his prophetic role. The use of repetition, particularly in God’s calling of Samuel, serves to emphasize the significance of the moment. The contrast between the silence of God’s word in Israel and the personal revelation to Samuel highlights the transformative nature of divine communication.
Conclusion
1 Samuel Chapter 3 serves as a crucial turning point in the biblical narrative, marking the beginning of prophetic leadership in Israel through Samuel. It illustrates themes of divine calling, accountability, and God’s sovereignty, while also setting the stage for the significant events that will follow in the history of Israel.
