1 Samuel Chapter 3

God Speaks to Samuel
A. Samuel is unable to recognize God’s voice.

1. (1 Samuel 3:1) The scarcity of revelation in Israel.

“Then the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.”

The narrative begins by highlighting the spiritual state of Israel during the time of Eli and young Samuel. The phrase, “the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli,” is repeated several times in the preceding chapters (1 Samuel 2:11; 2:18), signifying Samuel’s faithful service even as a youth. His ministry is presented in the same light as Aaron and his sons during their priestly consecration in Exodus 29:1, and later, as Paul and Barnabas ministered to the Lord in Acts 13:1-2 before being sent on their mission. Samuel’s service marks him as a devoted attendant in the presence of the Lord, performing humble yet holy tasks under the supervision of Eli.

The statement that “the word of the LORD was rare in those days” exposes the tragic spiritual condition of the nation. God’s voice was seldom heard, and prophetic revelation was minimal. The last recorded revelation prior to this was a message of judgment against Eli’s household by an unnamed man of God (1 Samuel 2:27-36). The infrequency of divine communication was not because God had ceased to exist or to care, but because the people, including the priesthood, had grown spiritually hard and corrupt. When the hearts of God’s people become dull, heaven often falls silent. As Proverbs 29:18 declares, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law.”

God’s silence was a form of judgment. It reflected a nation that had forsaken its covenant obligations and a priesthood that no longer discerned the holiness of God. The Lord speaks and reveals His will to those who seek Him with pure hearts. As the psalmist wrote in Psalm 25:14, “The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.” Israel’s spiritual famine in Samuel’s day demonstrates that divine revelation is closely tied to the spiritual condition of God’s people and their leaders.

2. (1 Samuel 3:2-4) God’s first words to Samuel.

“And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, that the LORD called Samuel. And he answered, ‘Here I am!’”

The narrative setting draws attention to the physical and spiritual decline of Eli. His eyes had grown dim, which not only describes his aging body but symbolizes his fading spiritual vision. The leader of Israel was losing both sight and insight. The light of revelation had nearly gone out in Israel, much like the dimming eyes of Eli.

The phrase “before the lamp of God went out” has both a literal and symbolic meaning. Literally, it refers to the seven-branched golden lampstand in the tabernacle, which the priests were commanded to keep burning from evening until morning (Exodus 27:21). This detail situates the event in the early hours before dawn. Symbolically, however, it points to the dark spiritual condition of Israel. The light of God’s truth still flickered, but it was in danger of being extinguished entirely. Samuel, sleeping near the ark of God, was close to the very presence where God would soon speak—a divine foreshadowing that the Lord was about to reignite revelation in Israel through this boy.

When the LORD called Samuel, the boy immediately responded, “Here I am!” This response indicates a heart that was tender, willing, and attentive. Samuel’s immediate readiness shows a disposition of service and humility before God. The same words were used by several great men of faith when God called them: Abraham in Genesis 22:1, Jacob in Genesis 46:2, Moses in Exodus 3:4, Isaiah in Isaiah 6:8, and Ananias in Acts 9:10. In each case, this simple response marked a pivotal moment in redemptive history.

It is probable that God’s voice was audible, for Samuel mistook it for Eli’s, yet the deeper lesson here is about posture. Saying “Here I am” is not merely an acknowledgment of presence, but a declaration of surrender and availability to the will of God. The young Samuel did not yet understand who was calling him, but his heart was already in the right position—ready to obey when he would learn the voice of the LORD.

This passage teaches that divine revelation begins with a receptive heart. Samuel did not yet have experience hearing from God, but his faithfulness in the small, daily duties of the tabernacle prepared him for a greater calling. God often speaks to those who serve faithfully in obscurity before entrusting them with greater responsibilities.

3. (1 Samuel 3:5-9) Samuel doesn’t recognize God’s voice.

“So he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ And he said, ‘I did not call; lie down again.’ And he went and lay down. Then the LORD called yet again, ‘Samuel!’ So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ He answered, ‘I did not call, my son; lie down again.’ (Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.) And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. Then he arose and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you did call me.’ Then Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, “Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.”’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.”

The young Samuel, faithfully serving in the house of the LORD, was still inexperienced in discerning the voice of God. His repeated running to Eli shows both his innocence and his obedience.

a. “He ran to Eli.”
Samuel’s immediate reaction reveals his servant’s heart. Though mistaken in assuming Eli had called him, his instinct was one of humility and readiness to serve. The phrase “he ran” shows eagerness, not hesitation. Samuel knew Eli’s poor eyesight and age made him dependent on others, and so the boy responded promptly to what he thought was a human summons. His obedience to Eli reflects the principle later found in Luke 16:10, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” God often calls those who are already faithful in small acts of service, for a willing heart is the soil in which divine revelation grows.

b. “And the LORD called yet again.”
Here we see the patience and persistence of God. He did not speak only once, but called Samuel multiple times. Divine revelation is not hasty nor reckless. When God intends to make His will known, He confirms it through repetition, timing, and various means. In 2 Corinthians 13:1, Paul affirms the principle, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” This reflects God’s own pattern: He confirms His word to remove confusion and establish certainty. Samuel’s threefold calling shows God’s gracious determination to reach the heart that is ready to hear.

This pattern also warns believers today. We must not act rashly on an isolated impulse or emotional impression. True spiritual direction from the LORD bears the marks of confirmation, peace, and consistency with Scripture. God’s repeated call to Samuel demonstrates both His patience and His intent to make the boy His prophet.

c. “Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD.”
This is a striking statement. Though Samuel ministered in the tabernacle, he did not yet have a personal, experiential relationship with the LORD. He knew about God, but had not yet known Him. The Hebrew word for “know” here implies intimate acquaintance and recognition. It was not that Samuel was irreverent or unbelieving, but that he had not yet experienced the personal revelation of God’s voice.

This truth underscores the necessity of spiritual conversion. It is not enough to grow up in a godly environment, attend worship, or serve in religious duties. Even a child raised among sacred things must personally come to know the LORD by the work of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus said in John 3:7, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” Samuel’s transformation begins when God’s word is revealed to him for the first time.

d. “Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.”
Once Eli realized that it was God calling Samuel, he gave the boy wise and humble instruction. This short sentence is one of the most profound prayers in all of Scripture. It embodies four vital attitudes for every believer who desires to hear from God:

1. Availability — “Go, lie down.” Be still and ready for God to speak. The LORD does not shout over the noise of busyness; He speaks to the listening heart.

2. Humility — “If He calls you.” Eli warned Samuel not to presume upon divine revelation. The call of God is sovereign, not earned or demanded.

3. Submission — “Speak, LORD.” This shows Samuel’s recognition of God’s authority. He invites God to speak on His own terms, not his.

4. Receptivity — “Your servant hears.” Samuel acknowledges his position as servant and God’s position as Master. He is not only listening but ready to obey whatever he hears.

This pattern is essential for all believers seeking guidance. God speaks most clearly to the humble, submissive heart that says, “Speak, LORD,” not “Listen, LORD.”

e. “Speak, LORD.”
Every generation needs this reminder. Many voices compete for attention—the voice of culture, of friends, of media, of human teachers—but none have eternal weight unless God speaks through them. As Deuteronomy 8:3 teaches, “Man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.” God’s word is life, and without it, all other voices are hollow. When the LORD speaks, it brings conviction, clarity, and transformation.

Samuel’s example teaches believers how to approach divine revelation—with readiness, reverence, and obedience. It also reminds us that spiritual discernment is learned. Samuel had to be taught how to recognize God’s voice, and so must we. The LORD is patient with His children as they grow in understanding His ways.

B. God’s Message to Samuel

1. (1 Samuel 3:10) Samuel responds just as Eli told him.

“Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel answered, ‘Speak, for Your servant hears.’”

The narrative reaches its turning point here as the LORD personally manifests His presence to Samuel. The text states that “the LORD came and stood,” which implies a physical or visible manifestation of God, not merely an inner impression or dream. This is often understood as a theophany—a visible appearance of God in a tangible form. Given that no man has seen God the Father at any time (John 1:18), many scholars identify this as a pre-incarnate appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ. Throughout the Old Testament, such appearances (as with Abraham in Genesis 18, or Joshua in Joshua 5:13–15) reveal the presence of the eternal Son before His incarnation in Bethlehem.

This was no vision, trance, or state of altered consciousness. God came and called audibly, as He had before, but this time Samuel was spiritually ready to hear. His response—“Speak, for Your servant hears”—shows the humility and receptivity of a heart that truly desires to know the will of God. It is a model response for all believers. Samuel does not say, “Speak, for I am ready to command,” but “Speak, for Your servant hears.” The posture of submission and obedience precedes revelation. God speaks most clearly to those who approach Him as servants, not as advisors.

This also fulfills what Eli instructed Samuel earlier: to lie still, to wait upon God, and to respond humbly. It is worth noting that God called Samuel by name twice, just as He did with Abraham (Genesis 22:11), Jacob (Genesis 46:2), and Moses (Exodus 3:4). Each of these double calls came at critical moments in redemptive history, marking the beginning of a divine mission. Likewise, Samuel’s call here inaugurates the prophetic office in a new era for Israel, bridging the time between the judges and the monarchy.

2. (1 Samuel 3:11–14) God’s message to Samuel: the coming judgment on Eli and his house.

“Then the LORD said to Samuel: ‘Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them. And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.’”

The first prophetic word God ever gave to Samuel was not a comforting message but a solemn word of judgment. This underscores the seriousness of divine revelation—God’s word is not always pleasant, but it is always true and necessary.

a. “Both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.”
This Hebrew expression signifies shock and horror. It appears elsewhere in the Old Testament in connection with severe judgment, such as 2 Kings 21:12 and Jeremiah 19:3. It describes the physical reaction to hearing something dreadful, as if the news were so devastating it caused one’s ears to ring. God was about to act in such a way that His judgment would be remembered and feared throughout Israel. The corruption of the priesthood under Eli’s sons would be dealt with decisively.

b. “For I have told him that I will judge his house.”
This refers back to the message delivered earlier by the unnamed man of God in 1 Samuel 2:27–36. The LORD now confirms that prophecy through Samuel. This repetition signifies that the time for warning was past and that the decree of judgment was now fixed. The same God who patiently warns also faithfully executes justice when repentance is refused. As Numbers 23:19 declares, “God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it?”

Charles Spurgeon insightfully remarked, “The Lord sends him a word of threatening by a child; for God has many messengers.” The fact that God chose to confirm His word through a boy rather than a seasoned priest shows that He is not limited by age or position. When the established leadership becomes corrupt or deaf to His voice, God will raise up a faithful messenger, even from unexpected places.

c. “For the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile.”
Eli’s guilt was not due to ignorance. He had firsthand knowledge of his sons’ wicked conduct and had been publicly warned about it. The sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, had defiled the priesthood by their greed, sexual immorality, and sacrilege against the offerings of the LORD (1 Samuel 2:12–17, 22). Yet Eli’s response had been too mild and passive. He had rebuked them with words but took no decisive action to remove them from office. His failure was not of knowledge but of courage and conviction.

d. “And he did not restrain them.”
Eli’s duty extended beyond that of a father; as the high priest, he bore the responsibility of spiritual oversight. His sons served as priests under his authority, and it was his duty to discipline them or remove them from service if necessary. However, Eli’s indulgence as a parent influenced his failure as a leader. His inability to confront sin in his own household reflected his weakness in enforcing holiness in the house of God.

The LORD had declared long before in Leviticus 10:1–3 that those who serve Him must regard Him as holy, for Nadab and Abihu were struck dead for offering profane fire before the LORD. Eli’s tolerance of his sons’ wickedness brought the same principle of divine justice to bear. God will not allow His holiness to be mocked by those who stand as mediators of His worship.

e. “The iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”
This solemn pronouncement closes the message with finality. The time for repentance had passed; the judgment was now irrevocable. This does not mean that God’s mercy had failed, but that His justice had been fully provoked and the window of repentance had closed. The priests of Eli’s house had despised the offerings of the LORD, and now no offering would avail for them.

This principle is echoed in the New Testament. Hebrews 10:26–27 warns, “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” The only sin that cannot be forgiven is the rejection of the sacrifice of Christ. To reject the only means of atonement is to seal one’s own judgment, just as Eli’s house sealed theirs.

Thus, God’s first message to Samuel is both a test and a revelation. It tests Samuel’s faithfulness to deliver an unpleasant message and reveals the holiness and justice of the God who called him. The boy who once served in silence is now entrusted with the Word of the LORD—a Word that will shape the destiny of a nation.

3. (1 Samuel 3:15–18) Samuel tells Eli the message from God.

“So Samuel lay down until morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision. Then Eli called Samuel and said, ‘Samuel, my son!’ And he answered, ‘Here I am.’ And he said, ‘What is the word that the LORD spoke to you? Please do not hide it from me. God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the things that He said to you.’ Then Samuel told him everything, and hid nothing from him. And he said, ‘It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him.’”

Samuel’s first experience as a prophet of the LORD brought with it an enormous weight. The message he received was not one of blessing or comfort, but one of judgment upon the very man who had raised him.

a. “Samuel lay down until morning.”
Though the text says Samuel lay down, it is unlikely he slept at all. He had just encountered the living God and received a terrifying message of divine judgment. The phrase describes more of a restless obedience than peaceful rest. The boy lay awake, his mind racing, his heart pounding, and his ears still tingling with the gravity of what he had heard. The phrase “Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision” shows the sensitivity and humility of his character. He was not eager to deliver condemnation but grieved by the burden of it. This is the mark of a true prophet. Those who take pleasure in declaring judgment lack the compassion that flows from the heart of God. Samuel’s fear was not cowardice; it was reverence for both God and Eli.

b. “Opened the doors of the house of the LORD.”
This detail reminds us that Samuel, though newly called by God, continued in his normal daily duties. Opening the doors of the tabernacle was likely one of his morning responsibilities as a servant. This act shows his faithfulness in the small things even after receiving a monumental revelation. God entrusts greater tasks to those who remain faithful in simple service. As Luke 16:10 affirms, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” Samuel’s morning routine following such an awe-inspiring night speaks volumes of his humility and discipline.

c. “Samuel, my son!”
Eli’s tender address to Samuel reflects genuine affection. Though Eli had failed grievously with his own sons, Hophni and Phinehas, Samuel represented a kind of second chance—a spiritual son whom Eli had helped train and nurture in the service of the LORD. Even though Eli’s own household was condemned, he did not grow bitter toward God or the young man through whom God now spoke. His words show warmth and a lingering fatherly care.

d. “What is the word that the LORD has said to you?”
Eli’s question was not driven by curiosity but by conviction. He knew what God’s message likely concerned. The previous prophecy of judgment had already been declared in 1 Samuel 2:27–36, and Eli must have sensed that this new word would confirm it. Yet, despite knowing that the message would bring painful truth, Eli invited it. He urged Samuel to withhold nothing, even invoking a solemn oath: “God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me.”

This scene reflects Eli’s recognition that God’s voice cannot be silenced or softened. Though a fallen priest, he at least had enough spiritual discernment to know that the word of the LORD must be fully spoken, even when it condemned him. His demand for complete honesty helped establish Samuel’s prophetic integrity from the beginning of his ministry. God’s messengers are not permitted to edit His Word. The true prophet, like Samuel, must speak all that God has said—neither adding nor subtracting.

e. “Then Samuel told him everything, and hid nothing from him.”
Samuel’s obedience was immediate and complete. Though the message was hard, he spoke every word that God had given him. This marked the beginning of Samuel’s lifelong ministry as a faithful prophet. It takes great courage to speak hard truths, especially to someone you respect or love. Yet this is what separates a true servant of God from a mere people-pleaser.

As Paul later wrote in Acts 20:27, “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” Like Samuel, every faithful servant must proclaim the whole truth—grace and judgment alike. There is no selective obedience in the prophetic calling.

Few things are more difficult than bearing a message of condemnation. While false prophets speak smooth things to gain favor (Isaiah 30:10), the true messenger of God speaks with trembling lips but steadfast heart. Samuel, though a child, shows the courage of a mature prophet by not softening or concealing a single word of divine warning.

f. “It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him.”
Eli’s response is remarkable in its calm submission. Whether this was an expression of godly humility or passive resignation is debated. On one hand, Eli’s words display a recognition of God’s sovereignty—he acknowledges that the LORD has the right to do whatever He deems good. As Job 1:21 declared in his own suffering, “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

On the other hand, Eli’s response lacks any sign of repentance or intercession. It could be read as fatalistic, accepting judgment without seeking restoration. True submission to God’s correction involves more than passive acceptance; it calls for active repentance and a broken heart. Psalm 51:17 says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Eli’s quiet acceptance might reveal his weariness and the heaviness of guilt rather than a renewed zeal for repentance.

Still, there is a measure of dignity in his response. He does not resist or argue against God’s word. He acknowledges divine sovereignty, saying in essence, “The LORD is righteous, and His judgment is just.” Even under the weight of condemnation, Eli submits to the will of God.

This moment marks a transition in Israel’s spiritual leadership. The word of the LORD, once silent, now speaks through Samuel, not Eli. The aged priest accepts his decline, and the young prophet begins to rise. The silence of centuries is broken by the voice of a child through whom God will now direct His people.

C. Samuel Matures and Is Established as a Prophet

1. (1 Samuel 3:19–20) Samuel grows, maturing physically and spiritually.

“So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the LORD.”

After his initial encounter with the voice of God, Samuel continued to mature both in body and in spirit. The phrase “So Samuel grew” recalls earlier statements in 1 Samuel 2:21 and 2:26, emphasizing steady, godly development. His growth was not merely physical but spiritual, moral, and intellectual. This summary marks the beginning of Samuel’s lifelong ministry—a ministry that would change the course of Israel’s history.

a. “The LORD was with him.”
Nothing could be said greater of a man than this: that the LORD was with him. The divine presence is the defining mark of spiritual success. Just as Joseph prospered because “the LORD was with him” (Genesis 39:2), Samuel’s effectiveness was rooted in God’s abiding presence. The anointing and power that rested upon Samuel were not from human skill but from divine favor.

The same truth applies to the believer today. The Christian’s assurance comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Paul writes in Romans 8:31, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” The presence of God is both protection and empowerment. When the LORD is with a person, no adversary can prevail.

b. “Let none of his words fall to the ground.”
This expression means that none of Samuel’s prophetic declarations failed to come true. Every message he delivered was accurate, and God confirmed his words through fulfillment. It is a Hebrew idiom meaning that not a single word spoken proved empty or false. The LORD upheld Samuel’s credibility before the entire nation, validating him as His mouthpiece.

This divine authentication fulfills the standard laid out in Deuteronomy 18:21–22, where Moses said the test of a true prophet is whether his words come to pass. In Samuel’s case, none of his prophecies “fell to the ground.” Each one struck the mark, demonstrating divine authority behind his message.

i. Since the time of Moses, there had been no prophet of such national influence. For approximately 400 years during the period of the judges, revelation had been scarce and spiritual leadership inconsistent. Now, at a time when Israel was transitioning from tribal anarchy to national unity, God raised up Samuel as a faithful prophet. He stood as a bridge between two great eras: the age of the judges and the coming age of kings.

ii. Thus, Samuel is rightly recognized as Israel’s last judge and first great prophet after Moses. Under his guidance, prophecy would again become a central means through which God directed the nation. Later figures such as Nathan, Elijah, and Isaiah would continue this prophetic legacy, but Samuel laid the foundation. He would not only anoint Israel’s first two kings—Saul and David—but would also model what a true prophet should be: uncompromising, prayerful, and obedient to the LORD.

c. “From Dan to Beersheba.”
This phrase, repeated several times throughout Scripture (see Judges 20:1; 2 Samuel 3:10), is a Hebrew idiom meaning “throughout the entire nation.” Dan marked Israel’s northern border, while Beersheba lay in the south. The expression is equivalent to saying, “from one end of the land to the other,” much like saying “from New York to California” in modern terms.

This indicates that Samuel’s reputation spread across all of Israel. The nation, which had been spiritually fragmented and leaderless, now recognized a true prophet of the LORD. Through Samuel, God restored communication with His people and reestablished the prophetic office that had lain dormant for generations.

2. (1 Samuel 3:21) The word of the LORD comes to Samuel.

“Then the LORD appeared again in Shiloh. For the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.”

The final verse of the chapter serves as a powerful conclusion, confirming that divine revelation had been restored to Israel through Samuel.

a. “The LORD appeared again in Shiloh.”
This phrase implies a renewed and continuing manifestation of God’s presence. The LORD had first appeared to Samuel earlier in the chapter (1 Samuel 3:10), and now He appeared again—indicating ongoing fellowship and communication. The word “again” marks the end of a long silence. For centuries, divine revelation had been rare (1 Samuel 3:1), but now God’s voice was once more active in Israel.

This repeated appearance may have been through visions, audible communication, or an inward revelation of God’s presence, but whatever the form, it was clear and undeniable. Shiloh, where the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant were located, became the place where God restored His Word to the nation through His servant Samuel.

b. “The LORD revealed Himself… by the word of the LORD.”
This phrase captures one of the most profound truths in all of Scripture: God reveals Himself by His Word. Revelation is not primarily through mystical experiences or emotional impressions, but through His spoken and written Word. The same principle holds true today. God’s character and will are made known through His inspired Scripture.

Whenever God is moving among His people, He does so by His Word. The revival in Samuel’s day began when the Word of God returned to Israel, just as true revival in any generation is marked by a renewed love for the Scriptures. As Psalm 119:130 says, “The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”

Through Samuel, the prophetic Word was restored to Israel, and with it came light, direction, and hope. The nation that had been spiritually dark and disorganized under the judges now had a divinely appointed voice guiding it once more. The LORD’s revelation to Samuel in Shiloh marked the dawn of a new era—the era of prophetic leadership under the direct authority of God’s Word.