1 Samuel 3
Overview
1 Samuel 3 is a key chapter in the narrative of Samuel’s life, marking his calling as a prophet and the beginning of his ministry in Israel. This chapter narrates the divine revelation to Samuel and the prophecy against Eli’s household, signifying a major shift in Israel’s religious leadership. Key aspects include:
Samuel’s Calling by the LORD: The chapter opens with young Samuel serving under Eli at the temple. One night, the LORD calls to Samuel, who initially mistakes His voice for Eli’s. After three instances, Eli realizes that the LORD is calling the boy and instructs Samuel on how to respond.
The LORD’s Message to Samuel: When Samuel responds to the LORD’s call, God reveals a prophecy of judgment against Eli’s household, citing the iniquity of Eli’s sons and Eli’s failure to restrain them.
Samuel’s Reluctance to Share the Vision: The following morning, Samuel is hesitant to tell Eli about the vision. However, Eli insists, and Samuel tells him everything. Eli accepts the LORD’s judgment, acknowledging His sovereignty.
Samuel’s Established Role as a Prophet: The chapter concludes by emphasizing that Samuel is established as a prophet of the LORD. The LORD continues to appear at Shiloh, revealing Himself to Samuel through His word.
Samuel’s Growing Reputation: Samuel’s reputation as a prophet grows throughout Israel, from Dan to Beersheba. The chapter notes that none of his prophecies fell to the ground, meaning all came true, signifying God’s presence with him.
1 Samuel 3 is a turning point both for Samuel and for the nation of Israel. It highlights the transition from the era of judges to the prophetic leadership that Samuel represents. This chapter illustrates the importance of listening to and recognizing God’s voice, as well as the serious consequences of failing to honor and obey God’s commandments, as shown in the case of Eli’s family. Samuel’s story begins to unfold as one of faithfulness, contrasted with the disobedience and downfall of Eli’s line.
Samuel’s Calling by the LORD: The chapter opens with young Samuel serving under Eli at the temple. One night, the LORD calls to Samuel, who initially mistakes His voice for Eli’s. After three instances, Eli realizes that the LORD is calling the boy and instructs Samuel on how to respond.
The LORD’s Message to Samuel: When Samuel responds to the LORD’s call, God reveals a prophecy of judgment against Eli’s household, citing the iniquity of Eli’s sons and Eli’s failure to restrain them.
Samuel’s Reluctance to Share the Vision: The following morning, Samuel is hesitant to tell Eli about the vision. However, Eli insists, and Samuel tells him everything. Eli accepts the LORD’s judgment, acknowledging His sovereignty.
Samuel’s Established Role as a Prophet: The chapter concludes by emphasizing that Samuel is established as a prophet of the LORD. The LORD continues to appear at Shiloh, revealing Himself to Samuel through His word.
Samuel’s Growing Reputation: Samuel’s reputation as a prophet grows throughout Israel, from Dan to Beersheba. The chapter notes that none of his prophecies fell to the ground, meaning all came true, signifying God’s presence with him.
1 Samuel 3 is a turning point both for Samuel and for the nation of Israel. It highlights the transition from the era of judges to the prophetic leadership that Samuel represents. This chapter illustrates the importance of listening to and recognizing God’s voice, as well as the serious consequences of failing to honor and obey God’s commandments, as shown in the case of Eli’s family. Samuel’s story begins to unfold as one of faithfulness, contrasted with the disobedience and downfall of Eli’s line.
1 Samuel 3
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.
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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.
End of 1 Samuel 3
1 Year Plan: Apr 22 - 1 Sa 1, 1 Sa 2, 1 Sa 3, John 12
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.
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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.
End of 1 Samuel 3
1 Year Plan: Apr 22 - 1 Sa 1, 1 Sa 2, 1 Sa 3, John 12
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