Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 3

Verse 1

3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD {a} before Eli. And the word of the LORD was {b} precious in those days; [there was] no open vision.

(a) The Chaldee text reads "while Eli lived".

(b) Because there were very few prophets to declare it.

Verse 2

3:2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli [was] laid down in his {c} place, and his eyes began to wax dim, [that] he could not see;

(c) In the court next to the tabernacle.

Verse 3

3:3 And ere the {d} lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God [was], and Samuel was laid down [to sleep];

(d) That is, the lamps which burnt in the night.

Verse 4

3:4 That the LORD {e} called Samuel: and he answered, Here [am] I.

(e) Josephus writes that Samuel was 12 years old when the Lord appeared to him.

Verse 7

3:7 Now Samuel did not yet know {f} the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.

(f) By vision.

Verse 8

3:8 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 {g} perceived that the LORD had called the child.

(g) Such was the corruption of those times that the chief priest had become dull and negligent to understand the Lord’s appearing.

Verse 11

3:11 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 {h} tingle.

(h) God declares that sudden fear will come on men when they hear that the ark is taken, and see Eli’s house destroyed.

Verse 14

3:14 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 {i} ever.

(i) Meaning that his posterity would never enjoy the chief priests office.

Verse 17

3:17 And he said, What [is] the thing that [the LORD] hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide [it] not from me: God {k} do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide [any] thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.

(k) God punish you after this and that sort, unless you tell me the truth, Ruth 1:17.

Verse 19

3:19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words {l} fall to the ground.

(l) The Lord accomplished whatever he had said.