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BSB
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1 Samuel 3

BSB·21 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1And the boyוְהַנַּ֧עַרwə·han·na·‘ar — Young man, boy, or male servantH5288 — Full Word Study → Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֛לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → ministeredמְשָׁרֵ֥תmə·šā·rêṯ — to minister, serve, or attendH8334 — Full Word Study → toאֶת־’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → beforeלִפְנֵ֣יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → Eliעֵלִ֑י‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study →. Now in thoseהָהֵ֔םhā·hêm — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → daysבַּיָּמִ֣יםbay·yā·mîm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → the wordוּדְבַר־ū·ḏə·ḇar- — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → wasהָיָ֤הhā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → rareיָקָר֙yā·qār — precious, valuable, honoredH3368 — Full Word Study → and visionsחָז֖וֹןḥā·zō·wn — A divinely revealed vision or sightH2377 — Full Word Study → wereאֵ֥ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → scarceנִפְרָֽץ׃סnip̄·rāṣ — to break through, breach, or burst forthH6555 — Full Word Study →. 2Andוַֽיְהִי֙way·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → at that timeבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → Eliוְעֵלִ֖יwə·‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study →, whose eyesightוְעֵינוֹwə·ʿē·nō — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → had grown so dimכֵה֔וֹתḵê·hō·wṯ — to grow dim, become faint or darkH3544 — Full Word Study → that he couldיוּכַ֖לyū·ḵal — to be able, have power, endureH3201 — Full Word Study → notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → seeלִרְאֽוֹת׃lir·’ō·wṯ — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study →, was lyingשֹׁכֵ֣בšō·ḵêḇ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study → in his roomבִּמְקֹמ֑וֹbim·qō·mō — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study →. 3Beforeטֶ֣רֶםṭe·rem — before, ere, prior to, not yetH2962 — Full Word Study → the lampוְנֵ֤רwə·nêr — A lamp or light source; illuminationH5216 — Full Word Study → of Godאֱלֹהִים֙’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → had gone outיִכְבֶּ֔הyiḵ·beh — To extinguish or quench; to put outH3518 — Full Word Study →, Samuelוּשְׁמוּאֵ֖לū·šə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → was lying downשֹׁכֵ֑בšō·ḵêḇ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study → in the templeבְּהֵיכַ֣לbə·hê·ḵal — Temple, palace, sanctuary structureH1964 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, whereאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the arkאֲר֥וֹן’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of Godאֱלֹהִֽים׃פ’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → was locatedשָׁ֖םšām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study →. 4Then the LORDיְהוָ֛הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → calledוַיִּקְרָ֧אway·yiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → to Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֖לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study →, and he answeredוַיֹּ֥אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Here I amהִנֵּֽנִי׃hin·nê·nî — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study →.” 5He ranוַיָּ֣רָץway·yā·rāṣ — to run; move swiftlyH7323 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Eliעֵלִ֗י‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study → and saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Here I amהִנְנִי֙hin·nî — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you have calledקָרָ֣אתָqā·rā·ṯā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → me.” “I did notלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → callקָרָ֖אתִיqā·rā·ṯî — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study →,” Eli repliedוַיֹּ֥אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “Go backשׁ֣וּבšūḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → and lie downשְׁכָ֑בšə·ḵāḇ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study →.” So he wentוַיֵּ֖לֶךְway·yê·leḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → and lay downוַיִּשְׁכָּֽב׃סway·yiš·kāḇ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study →. 6Once againוַיֹּ֣סֶףway·yō·sep̄ — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → calledקְרֹ֣אqə·rō — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study →, “Samuelשְׁמוּאֵל֒šə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study →!” So Samuelשְׁמוּאֵל֙šə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → got upוַיָּ֤קָםway·yā·qām — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study →, wentוַיֵּ֣לֶךְway·yê·leḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Eliעֵלִ֔י‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study →, and saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Here I amהִנְנִ֔יhin·nî — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you have calledקָרָ֖אתָqā·rā·ṯā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → me.” “My sonבְנִ֖יḇə·nî — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, I did notלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → callקָרָ֥אתִיqā·rā·ṯî — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study →,” Eli repliedוַיֹּ֛אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “Go backשׁ֥וּבšūḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → and lie downשְׁכָֽב׃šə·ḵāḇ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study →.” 7Now Samuelוּשְׁמוּאֵ֕לū·šə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → did not yetטֶ֖רֶםṭe·rem — before, ere, prior to, not yetH2962 — Full Word Study → knowיָדַ֣עyā·ḏa‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, because the wordדְּבַר־də·ḇar- — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → had not yetוְטֶ֛רֶםwə·ṭe·rem — before, ere, prior to, not yetH2962 — Full Word Study → been revealedיִגָּלֶ֥הyig·gā·leh — HeglamH1540 — Full Word Study → to himאֵלָ֖יו’ê·lāw — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →. 8Once againוַיֹּ֨סֶףway·yō·sep̄ — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study →, for the third timeבַּשְּׁלִשִׁית֒baš·šə·li·šîṯ — Third; one of three parts; third in rank or sequenceH7992 — Full Word Study →, the LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → calledקְרֹא־qə·rō- — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → to Samuelשְׁמוּאֵל֮šə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study →. He got upוַיָּ֙קָם֙way·yā·qām — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study →, wentוַיֵּ֣לֶךְway·yê·leḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Eliעֵלִ֔י‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study →, and saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Here I amהִנְנִ֔יhin·nî — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you have calledקָרָ֖אתָqā·rā·ṯā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → me.” Then Eliעֵלִ֔י‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study → realizedוַיָּ֣בֶןway·yā·ḇen — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study → that it was the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → who was callingקֹרֵ֥אqō·rê — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → the boyלַנָּֽעַר׃lan·nā·‘ar — Young man, boy, or male servantH5288 — Full Word Study →. 9Goלֵ֣ךְlêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → and lie downשְׁכָב֒šə·ḵāḇ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study →,” heעֵלִ֣י‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to Samuelלִשְׁמוּאֵל֮liš·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study →, “andוְהָיָה֙wə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → He calls youיִקְרָ֣אyiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study →, sayוְאָֽמַרְתָּ֙wə·’ā·mar·tā — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, ‘Speakדַּבֵּ֣רdab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study →, LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Your servantעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ‘aḇ·de·ḵā — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study → is listeningשֹׁמֵ֖עַšō·mê·a‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →.’” So Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֔לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → wentוַיֵּ֣לֶךְway·yê·leḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → and lay downוַיִּשְׁכַּ֖בway·yiš·kaḇ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study → in his placeבִּמְקוֹמֽוֹ׃bim·qō·w·mōw — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study →. 10Then the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → cameוַיָּבֹ֤אway·yā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → and stood thereוַיִּתְיַצַּ֔בway·yiṯ·yaṣ·ṣaḇ — To stand, take a stand, present oneselfH3320 — Full Word Study →, callingוַיִּקְרָ֥אway·yiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → as beforeכְפַֽעַם־ḵə·p̄a·‘am- — time, occasion, or instance of occurrenceH6471 — Full Word Study →, “Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֣ל׀šə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study →! Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֑לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study →!” And Samuelשְׁמוּאֵל֙šə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → answeredוַיֹּ֤אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Speakדַּבֵּ֔רdab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Your servantעַבְדֶּֽךָ׃פ‘aḇ·de·ḵā — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study → is listeningשֹׁמֵ֖עַšō·mê·a‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →.” 11Then the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֔לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study →, “Iאָנֹכִ֛י’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → am about to doעֹשֶׂ֥ה‘ō·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → somethingדָבָ֖רḏā·ḇār — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → in Israelבְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לbə·yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → at whichאֲשֶׁר֙’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the earsאָזְנָֽיו׃’ā·zə·nāw — Ear; the organ of hearing and listeningH241 — Full Word Study → of allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who hear itשֹׁ֣מְע֔וֹšō·mə·‘ōw — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → will tingleתְּצִלֶּ֖ינָהtə·ṣil·le·nāh — to tingle, quiver, or trembleH6750 — Full Word Study →. 12On thatהַהוּא֙ha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → dayבַּיּ֤וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → I will carry outאָקִ֣ים’ā·qîm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → againstאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Eliעֵלִ֔י‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study → everythingכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → I have spokenדִּבַּ֖רְתִּיdib·bar·tî — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → aboutאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → his family, from beginningהָחֵ֖לhā·ḥêl — to profane, defile, or beginH2490 — Full Word Study → to endוְכַלֵּֽה׃wə·ḵal·lêh — to finish, complete, or bring to an endH3615 — Full Word Study →. 13I toldוְהִגַּ֣דְתִּיwə·hig·gaḏ·tî — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → him thatכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Iאֲנִ֛י’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → would judgeשֹׁפֵ֥טšō·p̄êṭ — to judge, govern, or execute justiceH8199 — Full Word Study → his houseבֵּית֖וֹbê·ṯōw — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → foreverעוֹלָ֑ם‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study → for the iniquityבַּעֲוֺ֣ןba·‘ă·wōn — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study → of whichאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → he knowsיָדַ֗עyā·ḏa‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → his sonsבָּנָ֔יוbā·nāw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → blasphemed Godמְקַֽלְלִ֤יםmə·qal·lîm — to make light; to curse; to despiseH7043 — Full Word Study → and he did notוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → restrainכִהָ֖הḵi·hāh — to grow weak, dim, or faint; to restrain or rebukeH3543 — Full Word Study → them. 14Thereforeוְלָכֵ֥ןwə·lā·ḵên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → I have swornנִשְׁבַּ֖עְתִּיniš·ba‘·tî — To swear an oath; to bind oneself by solemn promiseH7650 — Full Word Study → to the houseלְבֵ֣יתlə·ḇêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Eliעֵלִ֑י‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study →, ‘The iniquityעֲוֺ֧ן‘ă·wōn — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study → of Eli’sעֵלִ֛י‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study → houseבֵּית־bêṯ- — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → shall neverאִֽם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → be atoned forיִתְכַּפֵּ֞רyiṯ·kap·pêr — To atone; to cover sin and make reconciliationH3722 — Full Word Study → by sacrificeבְּזֶ֥בַחbə·ze·ḇaḥ — sacrificial offering; animal sacrificeH2077 — Full Word Study → or offeringוּבְמִנְחָ֖הū·ḇə·min·ḥāh — Gift offering; present or tributeH4503 — Full Word Study →.’” 15Samuelשְׁמוּאֵל֙šə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → lay downוַיִּשְׁכַּ֤בway·yiš·kaḇ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study → untilעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → the morningהַבֹּ֔קֶרhab·bō·qer — Morning; daybreak; the early part of the dayH1242 — Full Word Study →; then he openedוַיִּפְתַּ֖חway·yip̄·taḥ — to open, loosen, or beginH6605 — Full Word Study → the doorsדַּלְת֣וֹתdal·ṯō·wṯ — Door; gate; valve or leaf of a doorH1817 — Full Word Study → of the houseבֵּית־bêṯ- — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. Heוּשְׁמוּאֵ֣לū·šə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → was afraidיָרֵ֔אyā·rê — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study → to tellמֵהַגִּ֥ידmê·hag·gîḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → Eliעֵלִֽי׃‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study → the visionהַמַּרְאָ֖הham·mar·’āh — vision; mirror; appearanceH4759 — Full Word Study →, 16but Eliעֵלִי֙‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study → calledוַיִּקְרָ֤אway·yiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → to himשְׁמוּאֵ֔לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → and saidוַיֹּ֖אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֣לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study →, my sonבְּנִ֑יbə·nî — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →.” “Here I amהִנֵּֽנִי׃hin·nê·nî — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study →,” answered Samuelוַיֹּ֖אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. 17Whatמָ֤הmāh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → was the messageהַדָּבָר֙had·dā·ḇār — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → He gave youדִּבֶּ֣רdib·ber — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study →?” Eli askedוַיֹּ֗אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → hideתְכַחֵ֖דṯə·ḵa·ḥêḏ — to hide, conceal, or be hiddenH3582 — Full Word Study → it from meמִמֶּ֑נִּיmim·men·nî — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →. May Godאֱלֹהִים֙’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → punishכֹּ֣הkōh — thus, so, in this mannerH3541 — Full Word Study → you, and ever soוְכֹ֣הwə·ḵōh — thus, so, in this mannerH3541 — Full Word Study → severelyיוֹסִ֔יףyō·w·sîp̄ — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study →, ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → you hideתְּכַחֵ֤דtə·ḵa·ḥêḏ — to hide, conceal, or be hiddenH3582 — Full Word Study → from meמִמֶּ֙נִּי֙mim·men·nî — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → anythingדָּבָ֔רdā·ḇār — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → He saidדִּבֶּ֥רdib·ber — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → to youאֵלֶֽיךָ׃’ê·le·ḵā — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →.” 18So Samuelשְׁמוּאֵל֙šə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → toldוַיַּגֶּד־way·yag·geḏ- — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → him everythingכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → and did notוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → hideכִחֵ֖דḵi·ḥêḏ — to hide, conceal, or be hiddenH3582 — Full Word Study → a thing from him. “Heה֔וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → is the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →,” replied Eliוַיֹּאמַ֕רway·yō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “Let Him doיַעֲשֶֽׂה׃פya·‘ă·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → what is goodהַטּ֥וֹבhaṭ·ṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → in His eyesבְּעֵינָ֖וbə·ʿē·nå̄w — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →.” 19And Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֑לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → grewוַיִּגְדַּ֖לway·yiḡ·dal — to grow, become great, magnifyH1431 — Full Word Study →, and the LORDוַֽיהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → wasהָיָ֣הhā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → with himעִמּ֔וֹ‘im·mōw — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study →, and He let none ofמִכָּל־mik·kāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → Samuel’s words fallהִפִּ֥ילhip·pîl — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study → to the groundאָֽרְצָה׃’ā·rə·ṣāh — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →. 20So allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → from Danמִדָּ֖ןmid·dān — He judgedH1835 — Full Word Study → toוְעַד־wə·‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → Beershebaשָׁ֑בַעšā·ḇa‘ — Well of the OathH884 — Full Word Study → knewוַיֵּ֙דַע֙way·yê·ḏa‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּ֚יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֔לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → was confirmedנֶאֱמָ֣ןne·’ĕ·mān — to trust, believe, be faithfulH539 — Full Word Study → as a prophetלְנָבִ֖יאlə·nā·ḇî — Prophet; one who speaks God's wordH5030 — Full Word Study → of the LORDלַיהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 21And the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → continuedוַיֹּ֥סֶףway·yō·sep̄ — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study → to appearלְהֵרָאֹ֣הlə·hê·rā·’ōh — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → at Shilohבְשִׁלֹ֑הḇə·ši·lōh — A place of restH7887 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → thereבְּשִׁל֖וֹbə·ši·lōw — A place of restH7887 — Full Word Study → Heיְהוָ֧הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → revealed Himselfנִגְלָ֨הniḡ·lāh — HeglamH1540 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֛לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → by Hisיְהוָֽה׃פYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → wordבִּדְבַ֥רbiḏ·ḇar — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — 1 Samuel 3
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

First Samuel chapter 3 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's spiritual history and in Samuel's personal calling. After years of spiritual drought during Eli's priesthood, God breaks His silence and speaks directly to the young boy Samuel in the night. Though Samuel does not yet know the Lord intimately, he obeys the voice he hears, and through Eli's wise guidance, he learns to recognize and respond to God's call. This chapter demonstrates how God raises up new spiritual leadership when the old order has become spiritually compromised, and it shows the importance of humble obedience and faithful mentorship in God's kingdom.

Verses 1-3: The Spiritual Darkness and Samuel's Faithful Service

The opening verses paint a sobering spiritual picture of Israel. While Samuel "ministered unto the LORD before Eli," the nation was experiencing what we might call a spiritual famine: "the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision" (v. 1). The Hebrew word for "precious" here means rare or hard to find—God's Word was not being freely proclaimed. Eli himself, though still the high priest, was now aged and nearly blind (v. 2), a symbolic picture of spiritual blindness in leadership. Yet the lamp of God still burned in the temple (v. 3), and young Samuel faithfully slept in that holy place, serving despite the spiritual darkness around him. This teaches us that faithful, humble service matters even when spiritual conditions seem bleak.

Verses 4-8: The Divine Call and Samuel's Misunderstanding

God calls to Samuel three times (vv. 4, 6, 8), and each time the boy, not yet knowing the Lord's voice, assumes it is Eli calling him. This is not disobedience but innocence: "Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him" (v. 7). Samuel's immediate response—"Here am I"—shows his cultivated readiness to obey, even though he misidentifies the speaker. The triple call mirrors the pattern of God's persistent grace: He keeps calling until we answer rightly. The fact that Samuel runs to Eli each time shows respect for his elder and reveals the importance of proper relationships in spiritual formation.

Verses 9-10: Eli's Wisdom and Samuel's Obedience

After the third call, Eli discerns what is happening and instructs Samuel: "Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth" (v. 9). This is masterful spiritual mentoring. Eli teaches Samuel the posture of a true servant of God—not presuming to speak, but listening and inviting God to speak. When the Lord calls again, Samuel responds perfectly: "Speak; for thy servant heareth" (v. 10). This phrase encapsulates the essence of biblical faith: availability, humility, and willingness to hear and obey God's Word.

Verses 11-14: The Terrible Message

God now reveals to Samuel the judgment that is coming upon Eli's house because of his sons' wickedness and Eli's failure to restrain them (vv. 11-14). This is a heavy burden for a young boy to carry, yet God calls him to prophesy truthfully even against his mentor and benefactor. Verse 13 is particularly important: Eli "knoweth" of his sons' sin but did not restrain them—passive failure is still failure.

Verses 15-21: Faithfulness and God's Confirmation

Samuel's fear at sharing this vision (v. 15) is natural, but when Eli demands the truth, Samuel obeys completely (v. 18). Eli's response—"It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good"—shows humility before God's judgment. The chapter closes with Samuel's establishment: God fulfilled His words through Samuel, and "all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD" (v. 20).

Application for Today

Samuel's story teaches modern believers about recognizing God's voice, the importance of spiritual mentors like Eli, and the willingness to obey even when obedience costs us. Like Samuel, we must cultivate attentiveness to God's Word, seek wise counsel from mature believers, and remain faithful to proclaim God's truth regardless of personal difficulty or relational strain. God is still calling His people to serve faithfully in dark times.

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