1 Samuel - Chapter 3

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. 1 Samuel 3.2 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; 1 Samuel 3.3 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; 1 Samuel 3.4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. 1 Samuel 3.5 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. 1 Samuel 3.6 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. 1 Samuel 3.7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. 1 Samuel 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 perceived that the LORD had called the child. 1 Samuel 3.9 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. 1 Samuel 3.10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. 1 Samuel 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 tingle. 1 Samuel 3.12 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. 1 Samuel 3.13 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. 1 Samuel 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 ever. 1 Samuel 3.15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. 1 Samuel 3.16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. 1 Samuel 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 do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. 1 Samuel 3.18 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. 1 Samuel 3.19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. 1 Samuel 3.20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. 1 Samuel 3.21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.

1 Samuel : Chapter 3

1 Samuel 3: The Call of Samuel

Chapter 3 of 1 Samuel tells us about the divine call of Samuel, a pivotal moment in the spiritual history of Israel. This fascinating text describes young Samuel, who hears God's voice for the first time and receives a message of judgment against the house of Eli. Through this account, we discover essential themes such as spiritual discernment, obedience to God's voice, and the establishment of a new prophet in Israel.

1 Samuel 3 represents a significant transition in the spiritual leadership of the people of Israel. In this light, let's consider five biblical passages that echo the fundamental principles of this transformative chapter.

John 10:3-4

"The gatekeeper opens the door for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has put all his own out, he goes ahead of them, and they follow him, because they know his voice." »

God's call to Samuel in 1 Samuel 3 illustrates how God calls his people by name and how they recognize his voice.

Hebrews 1:1-2

"In the past, God spoke at various times and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom he created the universe. »

Samuel's call in 1 Samuel 3 is an example of how God spoke through prophets in the past, reminding us of the importance of this divine communication.

Acts 9:4-5

"He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' Saul asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the voice replied, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.'" »

The call of Saul (Paul) in Acts has parallels with the call of Samuel in 1 Samuel 3, both hearing the voice of God calling them by name, illustrating how God calls out to His chosen people.

Jeremiah 1:5

"Before I formed him in the womb, I chose him; before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you a prophet to the nations. »

This verse reflects Samuel's early calling in 1 Samuel 3, showing how God calls His servants from a very young age, thus highlighting divine providence in the choice of His instruments.

Revelation 3:20

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with me."

Samuel's response, "Speak, for your servant is listening," in 1 Samuel 3 is a powerful example of opening the door when God calls, inviting us to respond to His call with readiness and faith.