6 And the LORD H3068 called H7121 yet again, H3254 Samuel. H8050 And Samuel H8050 arose H6965 and went H3212 to Eli, H5941 and said, H559 Here am I; for thou didst call H7121 me. And he answered, H559 I called H7121 not, my son; H1121 lie down H7901 again. H7725
And he lifted up H5375 his eyes, H5869 and saw H7200 his brother H251 Benjamin, H1144 his mother's H517 son, H1121 and said, H559 Is this your younger H6996 brother, H251 of whom ye spake H559 unto me? And he said, H559 God H430 be gracious H2603 unto thee, my son. H1121
And the man H376 said H559 unto Eli, H5941 I am he that came H935 out of the army, H4634 and I fled H5127 to day H3117 out of the army. H4634 And he said, H559 What is there done, H1697 my son? H1121
Then said H559 Ahimaaz H290 the son H1121 of Zadok H6659 yet again H3254 to Joab, H3097 But howsoever, H4100 let me, I pray thee, also run H7323 after H310 Cushi. H3569 And Joab H3097 said, H559 Wherefore wilt thou run, H7323 my son, H1121 seeing that thou hast no tidings H1309 ready? H4672
And, G2532 behold, G2400 they brought G4374 to him G846 a man sick of the palsy, G3885 lying G906 on G1909 a bed: G2825 and G2532 Jesus G2424 seeing G1492 their G846 faith G4102 said G2036 unto the sick of the palsy; G3885 Son, G5043 be of good cheer; G2293 thy G4675 sins G266 be forgiven G863 thee. G4671
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 1 Samuel 3
Commentary on 1 Samuel 3 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 3
1Sa 3:1-10. The Lord Appears to Samuel in a Vision.
1. the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli—His ministry consisted, of course, of such duties in or about the sanctuary as were suited to his age, which is supposed now to have been about twelve years. Whether the office had been specially assigned him, or it arose from the interest inspired by the story of his birth, Eli kept him as his immediate attendant; and he resided not in the sanctuary, but in one of the tents or apartments around it, assigned for the accommodation of the priests and Levites, his being near to that of the high priest.
the word of the Lord was precious in those days—It was very rarely known to the Israelites; and in point of fact only two prophets are mentioned as having appeared during the whole administration of the judges (Jud 4:4; 6:8).
there was no open vision—no publicly recognized prophet whom the people could consult, and from whom they might learn the will of God. There must have been certain indubitable evidences by which a communication from heaven could be distinguished. Eli knew them, for he may have received them, though not so frequently as is implied in the idea of an "open vision."
3. ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord—The "temple" seems to have become the established designation of the tabernacle, and the time indicated was towards the morning twilight, as the lamps were extinguished at sunrise (see Le 6:12, 13).
5-18. he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me—It is evident that his sleeping chamber was close to that of the aged high priest and that he was accustomed to be called during the night. The three successive calls addressed to the boy convinced Eli of the divine character of the speaker, and he therefore exhorted the child to give a reverential attention to the message. The burden of [the Lord's message] was an extraordinary premonition of the judgments that impended over Eli's house; and the aged priest, having drawn the painful secret from the child, exclaimed, "It is the Lord; let him do what seemeth him good." Such is the spirit of meek and unmurmuring submission in which we ought to receive the dispensations of God, however severe and afflictive. But, in order to form a right estimate of Eli's language and conduct on this occasion, we must consider the overwhelming accumulation of judgments denounced against his person, his sons, his descendants—his altar, and nation. With such a threatening prospect before him, his piety and meekness were wonderful. In his personal character he seems to have been a good man, but his sons' conduct was flagrantly bad; and though his misfortunes claim our sympathy, it is impossible to approve or defend the weak and unfaithful course which, in the retributive justice of God, brought these adversities upon him.