1 Samuel 3

Samuel was called thrice in one night by the Lord, and thought that it was Eli that called him, vers.1,&c. but being called the fourth time, he answereth the Lord, 10. Who revealeth to him, that he will destroy the house of Eli, 11. Which Samuel in the morning discorvereth to him, at his request, 15. Eli submitteth himself to the will of the Lord, 18. Samuel is acknowledged for a Prophet by all Israel, in regard the Lord often revealed himself unto him, 19.

1. And the young man Samuel ministred unto the LORD, before the face of Eli: [See the annot. on chap.2.11.] and the word of the LORD was precious in those dayes, [intimating, that at that time there were but few Prophets and faithful Teachers in Israel: so that when there came a man of God, it was a most rare thing] there was no publick [Heb. broken thorow, broken out. Oth. manyfold] vision.

2. And it came to passé that day, [viz. when the word of the Lord was so precious] when Eli lay down in his place (and his eyes began to grow dark, that he could not see:) [i.e. not very well. So Genes.48.10. it’s said of Jacob, that he did not see; i.e. he did not see very well; for vers.8. it’s said, that he saw the sons of Joseph.]

3. And Samuel likewise had laid him down, before the Lamp of God was put out, [He speaketh of the Lamp that stood on the golden Candlestick, which was to burn all night long from the evening until morning, and then it was put out, Exod.27.21. Levit.24.3. and 2 Chron.13.11.] in the Temple of the LORD, [i.e. in one of the rooms or chambers near or about the Tabernacle, for the Temple was not yet built] where the Ark of God was:

4. That the LORD called Samuel; and he said, Lo, (here) am I.

5. And he run unto Eli, and said, Behold, (here) am I, for thou calledst me: but he said, I called not, return, lay thee down: and he went his way, and laid him down.

6. Thou the LORD called Samuel again, and Samuel rose up, and went unto Eli, and said, Behold (here) am I, for thou calledst me: he then said, I called not, my son, return, lay thee down.

7. But Samuel did not yet know the LORD, [i.e. he did not know the calling voice of the Lord, as being not accustomed to hear it: Or, he had as yet no apprehension of such kind of Revelations, whereby the Lord did appear unto men in a discoursive way,] and the word of the LORD was not yet revealed unto him.

8. Then the LORD called Samuel again, the third time, and he roes up, and went unto Eli, and said, Behold, (here) am I, for thou calledst me: then Eli understood, that the LORD called the young man.

9. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, go thy wayes, lay thee down, and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak LORD, for thy servant heareth: then Samuel went his way, and lay him down in his place. [See above on v.2.]

10. then came the LORD, and set himself there [Oth. and he continued standing, i.e. he went not again away, as he had done before,] and called as at other times, [Heb. as turn upon turn,] Samuel, Samuel: and Samuel said, speak LORD, for thy servant heareth.

11. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Behold, I do a thing [Meaning the discomfiture of the Israelites, whereof mention is made below, chap.4.vers.2. and 10.] in Israel, that whosoever shall hear it (unto him) both his ears shall tingle. [Intimating, that those that should hear of the great discomfiture of the Israelites, they should as it were lose their fences through amazement or astonishment.]

12. The same day I will bring upon Eli all that I have spoken [viz. by the man of God, chap.2.27,&c.] against his house, I will begin it, and make an end.

13. For I have told him that I will judge his house [i.e. that I will execute my just judgment and vengeance upon him and his house,] forever: for the iniquity, which he hath known, for when his sons made themselves accused [Oth. light, contemptible: i.e. when by their wicked life and ungodly practises they made themselves to be cursed and despised, and to be counted vain light fellows, that were worthy no honour or esteem] he looked not once sour upon them [The Hebrew word signifieth properly to get wrinkles in the face, which is done by those, that being displeased do frown or look sour. Understand hereby also, much lesse did he punish them according to their demerit, which he ought to have done, as Father, as high Priest, and as Judge, who was ordered to stop and hinder wickedness, and to punish it, being committed.]

14. Therefore then I have sworn unto the house of Eli; If the iniquity of the house of Eli, [Of this kind of oath, see Genes.14. vers.22,23.] shall be expiated by slay-offering, or meat-offering for ever. [To wit, so, as that I should keep book, and not execute the temporal judgements which I have pronounced against the house of Eli.]

15. Now Samuel lay until the morning, then opened he the doors of the house of the LORD: but Samuel feared to declare this vision [i.e. those things, with the Lord had revealed to him in a vision, although this was not only a vision, but also an appearance: Samuel waking heard these words, and not in a trance, as visions were wont to be made. See Gen.15.1.] unto Eli.

16. Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel my son: then he said, Behold, (here) am I.

17. And he said, What is the word that he spake unto thee? conceal it not, I pray thee from me: Let God do so to thee, and so let him add thereunto, [See of this phrase, Ruth 1:17.] if thou conceal one word from me of all the words that he hath spoken unto thee.

18. Then Samuel told him all those words, and concealed (them) not from him: and he said, he is the LORD, let him do what is good in his eyes.

19. Now Samuel waxed great, and the LORD was with him, and let not one of all his words fall to the ground [i.e. the Lord performed effectually, whatsoever he had foretold by Samuel. To fall to the ground, is as much to say as to come to nothing, or, to come to shame, as Matth.10. vers.29. Compare I Kings 8.56.]

20. And all Israel from Dan to Berseba, acknowledged, that Samuel was established [Oth. was esteemed, or, found faithful] to (be) a Prophet of the LORD.

21. And the LORD proceeded to appear unto Samuel at Silo, for the LORD revealed himself unto Samuel at Silo by the word of the LORD. [Intimating, that the Lord revealed his word unto Samuel by dreams, visions, and discoursing or communing with him, which was seldom done before. See above v.1.]