1 Samuel 3
DOYLY1 Samuel 3:2
- — was laid down in his place.] Was laid down for repose in the court of the tabernacle, where were divers rooms for the uses of the priests. Bp. Patrick.
1 Samuel 3:3
- — ere the lamp of God went out] This seems to imply that the lamp was extinguished in the morning: on the other hand, it is said, Lev. xxiv. 2, that the lamps were to burn continually. It is probable that some lamps were kept always burning, and others extinguished in the day time. Dr. Berriman.
1 Samuel 3:4
- — and he answered, Here am I.] We should note the ready obedience of Samuel, for our instruction and example. In him we observe a quick attention and unwearied diligence; he hears and runs at every call; he stays not to be twice called, before he goes. We see here the greatest simplicity of mind, and a most perfect humility of will. He murmurs not; he argues not; he complains not; he delays not; at every call he rises from his bed and runs. It is to such a child as this
1 Samuel 3:10
- — Speak; for thy servant heareth.] Such was the pious answer of the Prophet Samuel, then only a youth, on his receiving a message from the Lord. It implies his entire readiness to obey the commands of God, in whatever way those commands should be made known to him. To him they were conveyed in a vision; a mode of conveying the commands of God, which hath ceased since the establishment of the Gospel. But there are various other ways, in which the Almighty speaks to man; especially, by the works of creation, by their consciences, and by the Scriptures. In whatever manner He addresses us, it is our duty obediently to reply, “Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth.” Gilpin.
1 Samuel 3:11
- — at which both the ears—shall tingle.] Which shall stun and amaze all that hear it. This was fulfilled when the doleful news came, that the ark was taken, and both Eli and his sons slain, &c. Bp. Patrick.
1 Samuel 3:13
- — I will judge his house for ever.] “For ever” signifies here, as in several other places of Scripture, “for many successive generations.” Dr. S. Clarke.
1 Samuel 3:18
- And Samuel told him every whil.] The behaviour of Samuel, who at first was afraid to tell Eli what the Lord had said unto him, but, when he was called upon to do it, concealed nothing from him, is a beautiful example of modesty, and at the same time of courage and resolution. Let us always be thus loth to speak disagreeable truths; yet, when we are called to it, neither shame nor fear should hinder us from doing it. Osterwald.
— It is the Lord: let him do &c.] Eli hears with an unmoved patience and humble submission the sentence of beggary, death, and desolation, denounced
1 Samuel 3:21
- — by the word of the Lord.] Not by dreams or visions, but by speaking to him in an audible voice. Bp. Patrick. “By the word of the Lord,” means very probably that Jehovah made His revelations by His