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1 Samuel 3

ScriptureDepth's study of 1 Samuel 3

“Yahweh said to Samuel, “Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.”

1 Samuel 3:11

Yahweh speaks to Samuel, declaring a coming judgment in Israel that will shock all who hear, marking the beginning of a significant prophetic role for Samuel.

What 1 Samuel 3 is about

Samuel served Yahweh in the temple, where God’s word was rare and visions were few (vv. 1-3). One night, God called Samuel, but he mistakenly went to Eli three times, thinking Eli was calling him (vv. 4-10). Finally, Eli realized that Yahweh was calling the child and instructed him to respond with, 'Speak, Yahweh; for your servant hears' (vv. 8-9). When God spoke to Samuel, he announced that he would bring judgment against Eli's house for their iniquity, which Eli had not restrained (vv. 11-14). Samuel was afraid to reveal the vision to Eli but ultimately obeyed and shared the message with him (vv. 15-18). As Samuel grew, Yahweh was with him, ensuring that none of his words fell to the ground. All Israel recognized Samuel as a prophet of Yahweh (vv. 19-21).

The chapter leaves the reader with the reality of God's judgment against Eli's house and the establishment of Samuel as a prophet.

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1 Samuel 3 at a glance

  1. 1 Samuel 3:1–3Samuel Ministers in the Temple
  2. 1 Samuel 3:4–10God Calls Samuel
  3. 1 Samuel 3:11–14The Lord's Message to Samuel
  4. 1 Samuel 3:15–18Samuel's Fear and Obedience
  5. 1 Samuel 3:19–21Samuel Established as a Prophet

Key verse: 1 Samuel 3:11

Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.

Chapter text

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Samuel Ministers in the Temple 1 Samuel 3:1–3

Verse 1. The child Samuel ministered to Yahweh before Eli. Yahweh’s word was precious in those days. There were not many visions, then. Verse 2. At that time, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see), Verse 3. and God’s lamp hadn’t yet gone out, and Samuel had laid down in Yahweh’s temple, where God’s ark was;

God Calls Samuel 1 Samuel 3:4–10

Verse 4. Yahweh called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.”Verse 5. He ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am; for you called me.”He said, “I didn’t call. Lie down again.”He went and lay down.Verse 6. Yahweh called yet again, “Samuel!”Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; for you called me.”He answered, “I didn’t call, my son. Lie down again.”Verse 7. Now Samuel didn’t yet know Yahweh, neither was Yahweh’s word yet revealed to him.Verse 8. Yahweh called Samuel again the third time. He arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; for you called me.”Eli perceived that Yahweh had called the child.Verse 9. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down. It shall be, if he calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, Yahweh; for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.Verse 10. Yahweh came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”Then Samuel said, “Speak; for your servant hears.”

The Lord's Message to Samuel 1 Samuel 3:11–14

Verse 11. Yahweh said to Samuel, “Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. Verse 12. In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from the beginning even to the end. Verse 13. For I have told him that I will judge his house forever, for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves, and he didn’t restrain them. Verse 14. Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be removed with sacrifice or offering forever.”

Samuel's Fear and Obedience 1 Samuel 3:15–18

Verse 15. Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of Yahweh’s house. Samuel feared to show Eli the vision. Verse 16. Then Eli called Samuel, and said, “Samuel, my son!” He said, “Here I am.” Verse 17. He said, “What is the thing that he has spoken to you? Please don’t hide it from me. God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the things that he spoke to you.” Verse 18. Samuel told him every bit, and hid nothing from him. He said, “It is Yahweh. Let him do what seems good to him.”

Samuel Established as a Prophet 1 Samuel 3:19–21

Verse 19. Samuel grew, and Yahweh was with him, and let none of his words fall to the ground. Verse 20. All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of Yahweh. Verse 21. Yahweh appeared again in Shiloh; for Yahweh revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by Yahweh’s word.

World English Bible (public domain)

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Main themes in 1 Samuel 3

Divine Call

Yahweh's call to Samuel occurs in vv. 4-10, where Samuel hears God's voice but initially misunderstands it as Eli calling him. After three attempts, Eli realizes Yahweh is calling the boy and instructs him to respond by saying, 'Speak, Yahweh; for your servant hears' (v. 9). This encounter marks a pivotal moment in Samuel's life, highlighting the act of divine communication and his readiness to engage with God.

Obedience

In vv. 15-18, Samuel experiences fear about delivering Yahweh's message to Eli, yet he ultimately obeys and relays everything that was spoken to him. Eli's insistence, 'Please don’t hide it from me' (v. 17), compels Samuel to fulfill his role. Samuel's willingness to share the difficult truth about Eli's house demonstrates his commitment to God's directives despite personal apprehension.

Prophetic Ministry

Samuel's establishment as a prophet occurs in vv. 19-21, where it states that 'Yahweh was with him, and let none of his words fall to the ground' (v. 19). This signifies that Samuel is recognized as a credible prophet throughout Israel, as 'all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of Yahweh' (v. 20). His prophetic ministry begins with a clear divine call and a responsibility to communicate God's messages.

Mentorship and Leadership

Eli plays a crucial role in mentoring Samuel, particularly in v. 9 when he guides Samuel on how to respond to God's call. This relationship develops as Eli, despite his own failures, prepares Samuel for future leadership. In v. 18, Eli's acceptance of Yahweh's decision, 'Let him do what seems good to him', shows a mentor's willingness to support the next generation, even amid personal judgment.

Chapter outline

How 1 Samuel 3 unfolds

  1. 1 Samuel 3:1–3 Samuel Ministers in the Temple

    Samuel serves Yahweh in the temple, where the word of Yahweh is scarce and visions are rare during this time of Eli's declining sight and the lamp still burning (vv. 1-3).

  2. 1 Samuel 3:4–10 God Calls Samuel

    Yahweh calls Samuel multiple times, but he initially thinks Eli is calling him. After three calls, Eli realizes Yahweh is speaking to Samuel and instructs him on how to respond (vv. 4-10).

  3. 1 Samuel 3:11–14 The Lord's Message to Samuel

    Yahweh reveals a message to Samuel, announcing a significant judgment against Eli's household for their iniquity, specifically because Eli failed to restrain his sons’ sinful behavior (vv. 11-14).

  4. 1 Samuel 3:15–18 Samuel's Fear and Obedience

    Samuel wakes up early, opens the doors of Yahweh’s house, and hesitates to share the vision with Eli. Eli insists that Samuel tell him everything without hiding anything (vv. 15-18).

  5. 1 Samuel 3:19–21 Samuel Established as a Prophet

    Samuel grows in stature and the presence of Yahweh, with his prophetic role recognized by all Israel from Dan to Beersheba, marking his establishment as a prophet (vv. 19-21).

Key verses

  • 1 Samuel 3:11Yahweh speaks to Samuel, declaring a coming judgment in Israel that will shock all who hear, marking the beginning of a significant prophetic role for Samuel.

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Study questions

Questions for studying 1 Samuel 3

SummarizeObserveInterpretApply

Uses your daily Ask questions.

  1. observeIn v4, what does Yahweh do to call Samuel at night?
  2. observeWhat does Eli say to Samuel in v17 when he asks about Yahweh's message?
  3. interpretIn v14, why does God say the iniquity of Eli's house cannot be removed with sacrifice?
  4. interpretIn v18, why does Eli respond to Samuel's revelation by saying, 'It is Yahweh'?
  5. applyWhen have you felt unprepared to share an important message, like Samuel with Eli?

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1 Samuel 3: frequently asked questions

What is 1 Samuel 3 about?+
Samuel served Yahweh in the temple, where God’s word was rare and visions were few (vv. 1-3).
What is the key verse in 1 Samuel 3?+
1 Samuel 3:11: “Yahweh said to Samuel, “Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.”
What are the main themes of 1 Samuel 3?+
The main themes of 1 Samuel 3 are Divine Call, Obedience, Prophetic Ministry, Mentorship and Leadership.

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Study Notes