1 Samuel 3
Overview
3:1 How the word of the Lord was first revealed to Samuel;
3:11 God tells Samuel the destruction of Eli's house;
3:15 Samuel, though loath, tells Eli the vision;
3:19 Samuel grows in credit. Verse 1 the child 1 Samuel 3:15, 2:11, 2:18 the word 3:21; Psalm 74:9; Isaiah 13:12; Amos 8:11, 8:12 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 1:22 - and there; Proverbs 29:18 - there; Isaiah 22:1 - of vision; Matthew 20:2 - he sent; Acts 3:24 - Samuel; Habakkuk 3:1 - Samuel Verse 2 his eyes 1 Samuel 2:22, 4:15; Genesis 27:1, 48:19; Psalm 90:10; Ecclesiastes 12:3 Reciprocal Genesis 48:10 - the eyes; 1 Kings 14:4 - for his eyes; Ecclesiastes 12:2 - the sun Verse 3 ereBefore sun-rise: for it is probable the lamps were extinguished before the rising of the sun; see the parallel passages.the lamp Exodus 27:20, 27:21, 30:7, 30:8; Leviticus 24:2-4; 2 Chronicles 13:11 the temple 1 Samuel 1:6; Psalm 5:7, 27:4, 29:9 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 1:9 - General Verse 4 called Samuel Genesis 22:1; Exodus 3:4; Psalm 99:6; Acts 9:4; 1 Corinthians 12:6-11, 12:28; Galatians 1:15, 1:16 Reciprocal Genesis 28:16 - and I; 31:11 - Here am I; 37:13 - Here am I; 46:2 - Jacob; Leviticus 24:2 - that they; 1 Samuel 3:10 - as at other; 3:21 - the word; Isaiah 58:9 - Here; Matthew 11:25 - and hast; Acts 9:5 - Who; 9:10 - Behold Verse 6 1 Samuel 4:16; Genesis 43:29; 2 Samuel 18:22; Matthew 9:2 Reciprocal Genesis 31:11 - Here am I; Exodus 3:4 - Moses; Ruth 2:8 - my daughter; 1 Samuel 25:8 - thy son; John 20:16 - Mary Verse 7 Now SamuelOr, Thus did Samuel before he knew the Lord, and before the word of the Lord was revealed unto him.did not yetSamuel was not destitute of the knowledge of God, in that sense which implies the total absence of true piety, as Eli's sons were; for he knew and worshipped the God of Israel, but he did not know him as communicating special revelations of his will to him, in the manner in which he made it known to the prophets. Jeremiah 9:24; Acts 19:2 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 2:12 - knew Verse 8 the third Job 33:14, 33:15
Although Samuel did not apprehend the way in which God reveals himself to his servants the prophets - by the "still small voice" - yet when this direct communication from the Almighty was made the third time, in a way altogether new and strange to him, it seems astonishing that he did not immediately apprehend. Perhaps he would have been sooner aware of a divine revelation, had it come in a dream or a vision. Those who have the greatest knowledge of divine things, should remember the time when they were as babes, unskilful in the word of righteousness. 1 Corinthians 13:11, 13:12 Reciprocal Genesis 31:11 - Here am I; 37:13 - Here am I; Exodus 3:4 - Moses; 1 Samuel 3:10 - as at other; Acts 9:10 - Behold Verse 9 Speak Exodus 20:19; Psalm 85:8; Isaiah 6:8; Daniel 10:19; Acts 9:6 Reciprocal Joshua 5:14 - What saith Verse 10 the Lord cameThis seems to imply a visible appearance, as well as an audible voice.as at other 1 Samuel 3:4-6, 3:8
Samuel did not now rise and run as before, when thought he Eli called, but lay still and listened. All must be silent, when God speaks. Observe, however, Samuel in his reply left out one word: he did not say, Speak, Lord, but only Speak, for thy servant heareth; perhaps, as Bp. Patrick suggests, out of uncertainty, whether it was God that spake to him or not. However, by this answer way was made for the message he was now to receive, and Samuel was brought acquainted with the words of God and visions of the Almighty.Reciprocal Genesis 22:11 - Abraham; 46:2 - Jacob; Exodus 3:4 - Moses; Joshua 5:14 - What saith; Daniel 10:19 - Let; John 20:16 - Mary; Acts 10:4 - What; 22:7 - Saul Verse 11 I will do Isaiah 29:14; Amos 3:6, 3:7; Habakkuk 1:5; Acts 13:41 both the ears 2 Kings 21:12; Isaiah 28:19; Jeremiah 19:3; Luke 21:26 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 4:1 - came; 4:17 - Israel; Job 41:9 - shall; Jeremiah 28:8 - prophesied Verse 12 I will perform 1 Samuel 2:27-36; Numbers 23:19; Joshua 23:15; Zechariah 1:6; Luke 21:33 when I beginetc. Heb. beginning and endingReciprocal Leviticus 14:35 - a plague; Judges 4:24 - prospered; 1 Samuel 2:34 - a sign; 4:18 - his neck; 22:18 - fourscore; 1 Kings 2:27 - that he; 2 Kings 15:37 - began; Jeremiah 30:24 - fierce; Ezekiel 21:5 - it shall; Hosea 4:6 - I will also; Nahum 1:9 - he; Titus 1:6 - having Verse 13 For I have told himor, And I will tell him, etc. 1 Samuel 2:27-30, 2:31-36 I will 2 Chronicles 20:12; Ezekiel 7:3, 18:30; Joel 3:12 which he knoweth 1 Kings 2:44; Ecclesiastes 7:22; 1 John 3:20 his sons 1 Samuel 2:12, 2:17, 2:22, 2:23-26 vileor, accursedrestrained them notHeb. frowned not upon them, 2:23-25; 1 Kings 1:6; Proverbs 19:18, 23:13, 23:14, 29:15; Matthew 10:37 Reciprocal Leviticus 20:4 - and kill; 21:9 - the daughter; Judges 18:7 - magistrate; 1 Samuel 1:3 - And the; 4:18 - his neck; 9:17 - reign over; 12:2 - my sons; 2 Chronicles 14:4 - commanded; Psalm 109:13 - Let his; Proverbs 24:25 - them; Daniel 11:21 - a vile person; Nahum 1:14 - for; 1 Timothy 3:5 - if; Titus 1:6 - having; Habakkuk 3:1 - for what Verse 14 the iniquity 1 Samuel 2:25; Numbers 15:30, 15:31; Psalm 51:16; Isaiah 22:14; Jeremiah 7:16, 15:1; Ezekiel 24:13; Habakkuk 3:1-10:10, 3:1-10:31 Reciprocal Leviticus 9:7 - offer thy; 20:4 - and kill; 21:9 - the daughter; Joshua 24:19 - he will not; Malachi 2:12 - and him Verse 15 opened 1 Samuel 1:9; Malachi 1:10 SamuelSamuel reverenced Eli as a father, and feared to distress him by shewing what God had purposed to do. It does not appear that God commanded Samuel to deliver this message; he therefore did not attempt it till adjured by Eli. It might be supposed that Samuel would have been so full of ecstasy as to have forgotten his ordinary service, and run amongst his friends to tell them of the converse he had with God in the night, but he modestly keeps it to himself. Our secret communion with God is not to be proclaimed on the house-top.feared Jeremiah 1:6-8; 1 Corinthians 16:10, 16:11 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 2:11 - minister; 3:1 - the child; 1 Chronicles 9:27 - the opening; Esther 6:12 - came again; Daniel 8:27 - and did Verse 16 Reciprocal Genesis 31:11 - Here am I; 37:13 - Here am I; Ruth 2:8 - my daughter; 1 Samuel 12:2 - my sons Verse 17 I pray thee Psalm 141:5; Daniel 4:19; Micah 2:7 God 1 Samuel 20:13; Ruth 1:17; 2 Samuel 3:35, 19:13; 1 Kings 22:16; Matthew 26:63 more alsoHeb. so addthingor, wordReciprocal Numbers 23:17 - What; 1 Samuel 25:22 - So and more; 2 Samuel 3:9 - So do God; 14:18 - Hide not; 2 Kings 6:31 - God do so; Jeremiah 38:14 - I will; 42:4 - I will keep Verse 18 every whitHeb. all the things, or, words, Whit, or wid, comes from the Anglo-Saxon wiht, which signifies person, thing, etc.: every whit is every thing: equivalent to every jot.It is the Lord Genesis 18:25; Judges 10:15; 2 Samuel 16:10-12; Job 1:21, 2:10; Psalm 39:9; Isaiah 39:8; Lamentations 3:39; 1 Peter 5:6 Reciprocal Leviticus 10:3 - Aaron; Joshua 9:25 - as it seemeth; 1 Samuel 22:3 - till I know; 2 Samuel 10:12 - the Lord; 14:18 - Hide not; 15:26 - let; 2 Kings 4:26 - It is well; 20:19 - Good; 1 Chronicles 19:13 - let the Lord; Jeremiah 34:6 - General; 38:14 - I will; 42:4 - I will keep; Daniel 4:35 - and he; Jonah 4:8 - and wished; Micah 7:9 - bear; Acts 21:14 - The will; James 4:7 - Submit Verse 19 grew 1 Samuel 2:21; Judges 13:24; Luke 1:80, 2:40, 2:52 the Lord 1 Samuel 18:14; Genesis 39:2, 39:21-23; Isaiah 43:2; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:28; 2 Corinthians 13:11, 13:14; 2 Timothy 4:22 let none 1 Samuel 9:6; 1 Kings 8:56; Isaiah 44:26 Reciprocal Joshua 23:14 - not one thing; 1 Samuel 12:2 - I have walked; 16:18 - the Lord; 1 Kings 18:12 - from my youth; 2 Kings 3:12 - The word; 10:10 - fall unto the earth; Ecclesiastes 12:1 - Remember; Ezekiel 33:33 - when Verse 20 Dan Judges 20:1; 2 Samuel 3:10, 17:11 establishedor, faithful, 1 Timothy 1:12 Reciprocal Genesis 46:1 - Beersheba; 1 Samuel 9:6 - all that he saith; 12:2 - I have walked; 1 Kings 18:12 - from my youth; 1 Chronicles 21:2 - Beersheba; Ezekiel 33:33 - when; Amos 2:11 - I raised; Luke 1:80 - the child; Acts 3:24 - Samuel; 13:20 - until Verse 21 And the LordWyyoseph yehowah lehairaoh, "And Jehovah added to appear:" that is, He continued to reveal himself to Samuel at Shiloh.appeared Genesis 12:7, 15:1; Numbers 12:6; Amos 3:7; Habakkuk 1:1 the word 1 Samuel 3:1, 3:4 Reciprocal Matthew 20:2 - he sent Verse 1 am cameor, came to pass, Heb. was, 1 Samuel 3:11 EbenezerThat is, the place afterwards so called. See the parallel texts. 5:1, 7:12 AphekThis Aphek was situated in the tribe of Judah, and is probably the same as Aphekah. Joshua 15:53
It must be carefully distinguished from that near Jezreel, and another in Asher. 1 Samuel 29:1; Joshua 19:30; 1 Kings 20:30 Reciprocal Joshua 12:18 - Aphek; 13:4 - Aphek; Judges 3:3 - five lords; 3:31 - Israel; 1 Kings 20:26 - Aphek; 2 Kings 13:17 - Aphek; Ezekiel 25:15 - to destroy Verse 2 put 1 Samuel 17:8, 17:21 they joined battleHeb. the battle was spreadIsrael Joshua 7:5-8, 7:12; Psalm 44:9, 44:10 and they 79:7, 79:8, 106:40, 106:41; Lamentations 3:40 the armyHeb. the arrayReciprocal Deuteronomy 1:42 - for I am not; Judges 3:3 - five lords; 18:30 - until; 1 Samuel 2:31 - I will cut; 4:10 - Israel; Psalm 78:62 - gave Verse 3 Wherefore Deuteronomy 29:24; Psalm 74:1, 74:11; Isaiah 50:1, 58:3 Let us 1 Samuel 14:18; Numbers 31:6; Joshua 6:4, 6:5; 2 Samuel 15:25; Isaiah 1:11-15; Jeremiah 7:4, 7:8-15; Matthew 3:9, 3:10 fetchHeb. take unto usthe ark Numbers 10:33; Deuteronomy 31:26; Joshua 4:7; 1 Chronicles 17:1; Jeremiah 3:16; Habakkuk 3:1 it may save Jeremiah 7:8-11; Amos 5:21, 5:22; Matthew 23:25-28; Romans 2:28, 2:29; 1 Corinthians 10:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21; Jude 1:5 Reciprocal Leviticus 26:19 - will break; Numbers 14:44 - the ark; Joshua 18:1 - set up; Judges 18:30 - until; 20:27 - the ark; 1 Samuel 1:24 - house; 2 Samuel 15:24 - bearing; 1 Kings 14:4 - Shiloh; 1 Chronicles 15:29 - as the ark; Isaiah 48:2 - and stay; Jeremiah 7:12 - and see; Micah 3:11 - yet Verse 4 which dwelleth 2 Samuel 6:2; 2 Kings 19:15; Psalm 80:1, 99:1 the cherubims Exodus 25:18-22; Numbers 7:89 Hophni 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 2:22; Psalm 50:16, 50:17; Malachi 1:9; Acts 19:15, 19:16 with the ark Numbers 4:5, 4:15 Reciprocal Genesis 3:24 - Cherubims; Exodus 25:22 - between; Numbers 31:6 - the holy instruments; Joshua 18:1 - set up; Judges 18:31 - all the time; 20:27 - the ark; 1 Samuel 1:3 - And the; 1:24 - house; 2:32 - an enemy; 2 Samuel 11:11 - The ark; 22:11 - a cherub; 1 Kings 8:6 - under the wings; 14:4 - Shiloh; 1 Chronicles 13:6 - that dwelleth; 28:18 - the chariot; Psalm 78:60 - General; Isaiah 37:16 - dwellest; Jeremiah 7:4 - The temple; 7:12 - and see; Acts 7:45 - Which; Habakkuk 3:1 - over Verse 5 all IsraelThey vainly supposed that the ark would save them, when the God of it had departed from them because of their wickedness. Judges 15:14; Job 20:5; Jeremiah 7:4; Amos 6:3; Micah 2:11 Reciprocal Exodus 32:17 - There is a noise; Numbers 31:6 - the holy instruments; Joshua 6:5 - the people; 1 Kings 1:45 - the city; 2 Chronicles 13:12 - God; Ezra 3:13 - and the noise; Nehemiah 12:43 - the joy; Amos 6:13 - which Verse 6 What meaneth Exodus 32:17, 32:18 Reciprocal 7:16 - The Lord; 1 Samuel 4:14 - What meaneth; Psalm 60:10 - didst; Jeremiah 34:9 - Hebrew; Philippians 3:5 - an Verse 7 were afraid Exodus 14:25, 15:14-16; Deuteronomy 32:30 heretoforeHeb. yesterday or the third dayReciprocal Job 15:25 - strengtheneth; Psalm 60:10 - didst; Isaiah 41:6 - helped; Jeremiah 18:13 - who Verse 8 smote Exodus 7:5, 9:14; Psalm 78:43-51 Reciprocal Exodus 9:16 - for to; 10:1 - that I; 14:25 - for the Lord; Deuteronomy 7:21 - a mighty God; 32:31 - General; 1 Samuel 5:7 - saw; 1 Kings 20:23 - Their gods; Psalm 96:4 - For the; Ezekiel 20:9 - in whose; Daniel 4:9 - the spirit; Acts 13:17 - and with; Romans 9:17 - that Verse 9 Be strong 2 Samuel 10:12; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Ephesians 6:10, 6:11 as they have Deuteronomy 28:47, 28:48; Judges 10:7, 13:1; Isaiah 14:2, 33:1 quit yourselves like menHeb. be menReciprocal Joshua 1:6 - Be strong; Judges 18:9 - be not; 2 Samuel 2:7 - let your; 1 Chronicles 19:13 - of good; Jeremiah 34:9 - Hebrew Verse 10 Israel 1 Samuel 4:2; Leviticus 26:17; Deuteronomy 28:25; Psalm 78:9, 78:60-64 every man 2 Samuel 20:1; 1 Kings 12:16, 22:36; 2 Kings 14:12 a very great 2 Samuel 18:7; 2 Chronicles 13:17, 28:5, 28:6; Isaiah 10:3-6 Reciprocal Deuteronomy 1:42 - for I am not; Judges 18:30 - until; 1 Samuel 4:17 - Israel; 31:6 - General; 1 Chronicles 10:6 - Saul; 2 Chronicles 25:22 - fled; Psalm 60:1 - scattered; 60:10 - didst; 78:62 - gave; Jeremiah 7:12 - and see; 7:14 - as; 26:6 - will I Verse 11 the ark 1 Samuel 2:32; Psalm 78:61 the two sons 1 Samuel 2:34; Psalm 78:64; Isaiah 3:11 were slainHeb. diedReciprocal Leviticus 26:19 - will break; Judges 18:17 - the graven; 18:30 - until; 1 Samuel 1:3 - And the; 2:31 - I will cut; 4:17 - Israel; 5:1 - took; 31:6 - General; 2 Samuel 15:24 - bearing; 1 Chronicles 10:6 - Saul; Psalm 60:1 - scattered; 60:10 - didst; 78:62 - gave; Proverbs 3:6 - In; Jeremiah 7:12 - and see; 7:14 - as Verse 12 with his clothes rentThese, as we have already remarked, were the general signs of sorrow and distress. 2 Samuel 1:2 with earth Joshua 7:6; 2 Samuel 13:19, 15:32; Nehemiah 9:1; Job 2:12 Reciprocal Genesis 14:13 - one; 1 Samuel 22:20 - escaped; 2 Kings 19:1 - he rent; Proverbs 3:6 - In; Jeremiah 51:31 - post; Ezekiel 24:26 - General; 27:30 - cast; Revelation 18:19 - they cast Verse 13 sat upon 1 Samuel 1:9 his heart Joshua 7:9; Nehemiah 1:3, 1:4; Psalm 26:8, 79:1-8, 137:4-6 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 30:4 - lifted up; 2 Samuel 18:24 - between; Esther 4:3 - great mourning; Jeremiah 48:19 - ask; Micah 1:12 - waited carefully Verse 14 What meaneth 1 Samuel 4:6 Reciprocal Esther 4:3 - great mourning; Jeremiah 48:19 - ask Verse 15 ninety 1 Samuel 3:2; Psalm 90:10 and his eyes Genesis 27:1 were dimHeb. stoodReciprocal 48:10 - the eyes; 1 Kings 14:4 - for his eyes; Psalm 71:18 - Now; Ecclesiastes 12:2 - the sun Verse 16 What is there doneHeb. What is the thing, 2 Samuel 1:4 my son 1 Samuel 3:6; Joshua 7:19 Reciprocal 2 Samuel 1:2 - clothes; Jeremiah 19:3 - his ears; 48:19 - ask Verse 17 Israel 1 Samuel 4:10, 4:11, 3:11 Reciprocal Genesis 44:31 - when he; Numbers 31:6 - the holy instruments; 1 Samuel 1:3 - And the; 2:31 - I will cut; 2:34 - in one day; 5:1 - took; Nehemiah 1:4 - I sat down; Job 1:14 - messenger; Psalm 44:10 - Thou; 60:1 - scattered; 78:64 - priests Verse 18 when he made 1 Samuel 4:21, 4:22; Psalm 26:8, 42:3, 42:10, 69:9; Lamentations 2:15-19 his neck 1 Samuel 2:31, 2:32, 3:12, 3:13; Leviticus 10:3; 1 Corinthians 11:30-32; 1 Peter 4:17, 4:18 And he had"He seems to have been a judge to do justice only, and that in south-west Israel.Reciprocal Genesis 44:31 - when he; 1 Samuel 1:3 - And the; 5:1 - took; 1 Kings 13:21 - thou hast disobeyed; 14:17 - when she came; 1 Chronicles 10:6 - Saul; Psalm 71:18 - Now; Ecclesiastes 12:2 - the sun Verse 19 Reciprocal Genesis 3:16 - in sorrow; 35:17 - Fear not; 1 Kings 14:1 - the son; Psalm 78:64 - widows; Jeremiah 26:6 - will I Verse 20 Fear not Genesis 35:17, 35:18; John 16:21 neither did she regard itHeb. and set not her heart, Psalm 77:2 Reciprocal Exodus 7:23 - neither; 9:21 - regarded not; 1 Samuel 9:20 - set not; 1 Kings 14:1 - the son; Job 14:21 - he knoweth it not; Psalm 78:64 - widows; Daniel 5:10 - let not Verse 21 Ichabodthat is, Where is the glory, or, There is no gloryThe glory Psalm 26:8, 78:61, 78:64, 106:20; Jeremiah 2:11; Hosea 9:12 Reciprocal Genesis 35:18 - her soul; 1 Samuel 4:18 - when he made; 14:3 - Ichabod's; 1 Chronicles 4:9 - I bare him; 7:23 - because; Psalm 63:2 - To see; 89:44 - Thou; Isaiah 7:14 - shall call; Lamentations 2:1 - the beauty; Ezekiel 3:12 - glory; Hosea 10:5 - for the glory; Zechariah 11:3 - for their; Romans 9:4 - and the glory Verse 22 The glory Psalm 137:5, 137:6; John 2:17 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 2:32 - an enemy; 4:18 - when he made; 5:1 - took; Psalm 63:2 - To see; 78:61 - glory; 89:44 - Thou; Ezekiel 3:12 - glory; Hosea 10:5 - for the glory; Zechariah 11:3 - for their; Romans 9:4 - and the glory