1 Samuel 3
Meaning of 1 Samuel 3
1 Samuel 3 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible, which focuses on the prophet Samuel’s early life. This is the story where Samuel first hears the voice of God.
In the start of the chapter, Samuel is a young boy serving under Eli the priest. Eli’s physical vision is fading, symbolic perhaps of the spiritual decline in Israel during this period.
One night as they sleep, Samuel hears a voice calling his name. Assuming it’s Eli, he runs to him, but Eli tells him he didn’t call. This happens three times and finally, Eli realizes that it must be the Lord who is calling Samuel. He instructs Samuel to go lie down and if he hears the voice again to say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
So Samuel obeys, hears the voice again, and responds as he was instructed. God then gives Samuel a revelation, a prophecy of judgment against Eli’s family because the sons of Eli have been sinning, and Eli has failed to restrain them.
In the morning, Samuel is afraid to tell Eli about the vision, but Eli insists and Samuel lets him know about the judgement God plans to bring upon his family. Eli accepts this saying, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.”
The chapter concludes documenting Samuel’s growth and God’s blessing on him. It says God was with Samuel as he grew up and everyone in Israel recognized that Samuel was chosen as a prophet of the Lord. God’s words came to all Israel through Samuel, marking the beginning of his ministry as a prophet.
It’s a powerful chapter that not only introduces us to the prophet Samuel but also underlines the importance of listening when God speaks and of the consequences when one fails to correct sins and misbehavior.
1 Samuel 3 kjv
1 Samuel 3 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible, specifically part of the 1st Book of Samuel. The King James Version (KJV) translates this chapter from its original Hebrew. It fundamentally describes the calling of Samuel by God.
In this chapter, Samuel is a young boy serving under the priest Eli at the temple of the Lord in Shiloh. One night, God calls Samuel’s name while he is sleeping. Assuming it was Eli who called him, Samuel runs to Eli, but Eli tells him he did not call. This happens three times. After the third time, Eli realizes it is God calling Samuel.
Eli then instructs Samuel that the next time he hears the call, he should respond, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.” When God calls again, Samuel responds as instructed. God tells Samuel that he is about to punish Eli’s house forever for the iniquity which he knoweth: his sons have blasphemed God, and he did not restrain them.
The following morning, Samuel is afraid to tell Eli about the vision, but Eli insists. Upon hearing it, Eli acknowledges that it is the will of God.
The chapter ends with Samuel growing and the Lord being with him. All of Israel acknowledges Samuel as a prophet of the Lord. This chapter is significant as it marks the beginning of Samuel’s prophetic ministry.
1 Samuel 3 nkjv
First Samuel chapter 3 in the New King James Version (NKJV) narrates a significant event in the life of the young prophet Samuel and the signification of his prophetic calling from God.
1. As a boy, Samuel serves in the temple under Eli, the priest. It was during a time when messages from God were rare and visions were uncommon.
2. One night, while Eli’s eyesight has grown dim and can hardly see, and Samuel is laying down to sleep near the Ark of the Covenant, the Lord calls out “Samuel.”
3. Samuel, thinking it is Eli, runs to his side. But Eli tells him he did not call out to him, and suggests he go back to sleep.
4. God calls out to Samuel again, and again Samuel goes to Eli. Eli denies calling Samuel again, and sends him back to rest.
5. When God calls Samuel the third time, and he seeks Eli again, Eli realizes that it must be God calling the boy. Eli instructs Samuel to go back and if he hears the calling again, he should say, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.”
6. Following Eli’s instruction, when God calls Samuel again, Samuel acknowledges and invites God to speak.
7. God tells Samuel that He is going to carry out a judgment upon Eli’s house for the iniquity Eli knows about; his sons have blasphemed God and Eli did not restrain them.
8. In the morning, Samuel reluctantly relays God’s message to Eli. Contrary to his fear, Eli accepts the Lord’s judgment saying, “It is the Lord. Let Him do what seems good to Him.”
9. As Samuel grows up, God is with him, and all of Israel from Dan to Beersheba knows Samuel is confirmed to be a prophet of the Lord. God appears again in Shiloh, for the Lord has revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh according to His word, indicating the start of regular communication between Samuel and God.
Thus, 1 Samuel 3 NKJV narrates the divine calling of Samuel and prophecy against Eli’s household, besides illustrating Samuel’s acceptance and commitment as a major prophet of Israel.
1 Samuel 3 niv
1 Samuel 3 is a passage from the Bible, specifically from the Old Testament. In this chapter, the NIV (New International Version) offers us the story of young Samuel receiving his first direct communication from God.
At the beginning of the chapter, Samuel was serving under Eli in the temple of the Lord. Meanwhile, Eli’s eyesight was fading. One night, while Samuel was lying down in the temple, the Lord called him. Samuel ran to Eli, thinking it was him who called him, but Eli responded he hadn’t and told him to go back to sleep.
This happened three times, Samuel hearing the call and running to Eli. Eli, realizing that the Lord was calling the boy, instructed Samuel that the next time he hears the voice, he should say, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’
When the Lord called again, Samuel followed Eli’s advice and acknowledged the Lord’s call. God then revealed to Samuel that He was going to do something in Israel that would make the ears of everyone who heard it tingle, referring to a judgment upon the house of Eli.
The Lord conveyed to Samuel that He was about to punish Eli’s family forever, because of the sin Eli knew about—how his sons blasphemed God and he failed to restrain them.
In the morning, Samuel was afraid to tell Eli about the vision. But Eli asked Samuel to reveal what the Lord had said. Samuel told him everything and hid nothing. Despite the unsettling prophecy about his family, Eli accepted it by saying, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.”
Since then, the Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, revealing himself to Samuel through his word. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba, recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord.
In summary, this chapter illustrates the transition of spiritual leadership from Eli to Samuel and God’s severe judgment against those who sin against Him.
What is 1 Samuel 3 all about?
1 Samuel Chapter 3 is a significant chapter in the Bible located in the Old Testament. It tells the story of the young Samuel, who was living in the temple with Eli, the high priest at the time.
The chapter begins with Samuel receiving a call from God during the night. Initially, Samuel does not recognize God’s call and thinks it is Eli who is calling him. Each time God calls, Samuel goes to Eli. After this happens three times, Eli realizes that it is God who is calling Samuel, and instructs him on how to respond.
When God calls again, Samuel follows Eli’s advice and says, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” God tells Samuel that he plans to carry out everything he said against Eli’s family. God is unhappy about the blasphemy committed by Eli’s sons against God and their misdeeds have led God to decide that the priestly lineage of Eli will come to an end.
When Samuel wakes, he is afraid to tell Eli about the vision, but Eli insists. Samuel tells Eli everything and hides nothing from him. Eli accepts this, responding that God will do what is right.
The chapter ends by telling how Samuel grows up and the Lord is with him. As Samuel grows, God fulfills all the prophecies Samuel delivers, showing the establishment of Samuel as a prophet of God. All Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, recognizes Samuel as a true prophet of the Lord.
What does 1 Samuel 3 teaches?
1 Samuel 3 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible where a young boy named Samuel receives a call from God. The main teachings from this chapter are:
1. Obedience to God: Samuel didn’t recognize God’s voice at first, but once Priest Eli told him it was God, he was obedient and listened. This shows the importance of being open and obedient to God’s call, even when it’s not immediately recognized.
2. God’s call can come to anyone: Samuel was just a young boy when God called him, showing that there’s no age limit or prerequisite to be chosen by God.
3. Importance of Spiritual guidance: Eli played a crucial role in directing Samuel towards understanding that it was indeed God who was calling him. This highlights the importance of having spiritual teachers or leaders in our life.
4. Listening to and sharing harsh truths: When God told Samuel about the impending punishment on Eli’s family, Samuel was scared to share it with Eli. However, Eli encouraged him to speak the truth, no matter how harsh it could be. This teaches us about the importance of being truthful even when it is hard.
So, in summary, 1 Samuel 3 teaches us about obedience to God, understanding that God calls everyone despite their age or status, the importance of spiritual guidance and mentors, and speaking hard truths even when they may not be received well.
A Sermon on 1 Samuel 3
1 Samuel 3 is a biblical passage that describes the calling of Samuel by God.
The chapter begins by making clear that Samuel, though young, is living and serving in the temple under the guidance of Eli the priest. In those days, the word of the Lord was rare and visions were uncommon, but Samuel, during his sleep, hears someone calling his name. He assumes it is Eli and rushes to him, but Eli clarifies that it was not him who called. This scenario repeats three times until Eli realizes that God is trying to communicate with Samuel. He advises Samuel to go back to sleep, and if he hears the voice again, he should say ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’
Samuel does as instructed, and this time God appears to him and delivers a message. God reveals to Samuel that He is about to punish Eli’s household forever, due to the sins Eli’s sons have committed and Eli’s failure to rebuke them. Samuel is dismayed by this message and is afraid to tell Eli.
The next morning Eli insists on hearing the message, and despite his fear and hesitation, Samuel tells Eli everything, hiding nothing. Upon hearing this, Eli accepts his fate saying ‘He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.’
The chapter concludes with Samuel growing up. The Lord was with him, and all his prophetic words came to pass. All Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized Samuel as a prophet of the Lord. The chapter reveals how Samuel became a well-established and accepted prophet, receiving direct revelations from God.
A sermon on this chapter might focus on several key themes:
1. Listening for God’s Voice: Samuel was initially not aware that it was God calling him, but once he understood, he was responsive. This may be used to emphasize the importance of listening for and being obedient to God’s voice in our lives.
2. Serving God Faithfully: Samuel’s service from a young age in the temple under Eli can be a lesson to every believer about serving God faithfully, and being in constant communion with Him.
3. Accountability and God’s Justice: Eli and his sons’ story serves as a stern reminder of the consequence of sin. Eli’s sons blasphemed against God, and Eli failed to correct them despite being aware of their wrongdoings. This accountability and God’s justice could be addressed as a lesson on personal responsibility and the importance of righteous living.
4. Lastly, it might emphasize the point of accepting God’s will, just like Eli did when he heard the prophecy against him and his household. Faith and humility in accepting God’s plan can be highlighted here.
As an assistant, I hope this explanation has helped illustrate the central themes and potential sermon points on 1 Samuel 3.
Key people in 1 Samuel 3
1 Samuel 3 features several key individuals:
1. Samuel: Samuel is one of the main characters in the book of 1 Samuel. As a child, he was given to the Lord’s service by his mother, Hannah. In chapter 3, he is called by God for the first time. He continues to obey God and grow in stature, becoming a significant prophet in Israel.
2. Eli: Eli was the High Priest of Shiloh and had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were described as sinful and wicked in the sight of the Lord. In chapter 3, Eli instructs Samuel to respond to God’s call, saying “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” Later in the chapter, God tells Samuel that He is going to bring judgment upon Eli’s house due to the wickedness of Eli’s sons and Eli’s failure to restrain them.
3. Hannah: Though she is not physically present in 1 Samuel 3, Hannah is still a key person in the context of Samuel’s life. She was Samuel’s mother who dedicated him to the Lord’s service before he was born. Hannah’s faith and dedication significantly influenced Samuel’s life.
4. Hophni and Phinehas: They are briefly mentioned in this chapter. They are Eli’s sons who behaved wickedly, resulting in a curse on Eli’s house.
5. The Lord (God): This is the voice that calls to Samuel in the night. He reveals to Samuel the prophecy against Eli and his sons.
Real world examples on 1 Samuel 3
1 Samuel 3 is a narrative from the Bible that presents the story of young Samuel, who is called by God in the middle of the night. This chapter is often cited for its lessons on discernment, obedience, and faithfulness. Here are several real-world examples that might illustrate these lessons:
1. Discernment: Sometimes, in our daily lives, we receive advice or direction from various sources. However, it’s not always clear which advice to follow. Just like young Samuel who couldn’t recognize God’s voice at first, we, too, may struggle to discern the right path. Eventually, Samuel learned to recognize God’s voice, teaching us that, with wisdom and experience, we can better discern right from wrong or the best decisions in our personal and professional lives.
2. Obedience: In many situations, society demands obedience to rules and law. For instance, while driving, obeying traffic rules prevents accidents, confusion, and chaos. In 1 Samuel 3, Samuel obediently runs to Eli each time he hears his name being called, demonstrating the importance of obedience. This story underlines why obedience is crucial, even when we may not completely understand the situation.
3. Faithfulness: People who are dedicated to their jobs or responsibilities often reap rewards. For example, a student’s dedication to studying or an employee’s commitment to their job typically leads to good grades or promotions. Similarly, Samuel’s faithfulness to be available whenever God called, no matter the time, shows his devotion. Samuel’s spiritual growth can thus inspire us to remain faithful to our responsibilities.
4. Honest communication: In the story, when Samuel eventually hears a distressing prophecy from God about Eli’s family, he is afraid to share it with Eli. However, Eli insists on hearing the truth. In our daily life, open and honest communication, with sensitivity, can lead to resolution of issues and better understanding between people. Just as Samuel learns in this story, it’s important to share difficult messages, despite the initial discomfort they may cause.
5. Mentorship: Eli taught Samuel to listen and respond to God, which parallels with parents teaching kids, or a mentor guiding a novice in real life. The lessons and guidance provided by these individuals can be invaluable, often helping us to make major decisions or shape our understanding of the world. The guidance that Eli offers Samuel in recognizing and responding to God’s call is akin to the guidance offered by mentors or influential figures in our lives.
Brief Explanation of 1 Samuel 3
1 Samuel 3 tells the story of how young Samuel was called by God. Samuel was an apprentice under the priest Eli in the temple. One night, he heard someone calling his name. Responding to it, he went to Eli three times believing it was him who was calling, but Eli hadn’t called him. After the third time, Eli understood that it was God who was calling Samuel and told him to go back to bed and if he hears the call again, he should say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
As commanded, when Samuel heard his name again, he responded and God told him about the punishment He was going to bring upon Eli’s house, because Eli’s sons blasphemed God and Eli failed to restrain them.
In the morning, Samuel was afraid to tell Eli about the vision but upon Eli’s insistence, he revealed everything. Eli accepted the word of God saying it was the Lord’s will.
The chapter ends explaining that God continued to appear at Shiloh and revealed Himself to Samuel through His word. Every prophecy from Samuel came true and all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized Samuel as a prophet of the Lord.
Frequently asked questions for 1 Samuel 3
1. Who is speaking to Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:4?
– In 1 Samuel 3:4, it is God who is speaking to Samuel.
2. What is the significance of Samuel’s response in 1 Samuel 3:10?
– Samuel’s response signifies his readiness and willingness to hear and obey God’s commands. It demonstrates his humility and submission to God’s will.
3. Why doesn’t Eli initially realize it’s God who’s calling Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:7-8?
– Eli doesn’t realize it’s God who’s calling Samuel because “Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.” (1 Samuel 3:7). In this time, revelation from God was rare, so Eli did not immediately suspect it was God speaking.
4. What prophecy is given to Samuel in 1 Samuel 3?
– The prophecy given to Samuel in 1 Samuel 3 is one of doom concerning Eli and his family. God tells Samuel that He will carry out everything He had said about Eli’s family, from beginning to end, because Eli knew about his sons’ blasphemy and did nothing to stop them.
5. Why is Samuel hesitant to share God’s message with Eli in this chapter?
– Samuel is hesitant to share the message with Eli because it contains distressing news about Eli’s family. As a young boy, he may have been nervous and fearful of Eli’s reaction to such harsh judgment.
6. How does Eli react to the prophecy given to Samuel?
– Eli reacts with resignation and acceptance when he hears the prophecy. In 1 Samuel 3:18 he says, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes”.
7. How does the story of 1 Samuel 3 demonstrate Samuel’s dedication to God?
– Samuel’s willingness to wake up, listen, and respond to God’s call in the middle of the night demonstrates his dedication and obedience to God. This event marked the beginning of Samuel’s prophetic ministry and showed his readiness to serve God, regardless of the circumstances.
8. What does this chapter tell us about the nature of God?
– The chapter illustrates God’s sovereignty, holiness, and justice. Despite Eli’s status and Samuel’s reluctance, God communicates His judgment. It also highlights God’s commitment to speak and reveal Himself to His faithful servants, like Samuel, irrespective of their age or position.
Possible References for 1 Samuel 3
1 Samuel 3 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of 1 Samuel. This chapter is deeply important in the narrative of Israel’s history as it tells the story of God’s call to Samuel as a prophet. The main themes of this chapter include divine revelation, faithfulness, and obedience. Below are the key events and potential references:
1-2: These verses give a state of affairs in terms of spiritual communication between God and men. It was rare for God to speak directly to individuals. Eli, who is high priest, is visually impaired, possibly indicating not just his physical state but the spiritual state of Israel.
3-10: These verses recount the story of how God calls Samuel while he is a boy serving under Eli. The account is noteworthy in how God called Samuel by name, showing a direct personal relationship God intended with his servant. It also illustrates Samuel’s innocence and obedience, as he mistakenly assumes that Eli is the one calling him.
11-14: God reveals the judgment that will fall upon Eli’s house to Samuel. Eli’s sons had blasphemed God, and because Eli failed to restrain them, their house will face eternal judgement.
15-18: The young Samuel must deliver to Eli the news of the upcoming punishment. It’s a difficult task but Eli accepts the message, acknowledging the Lord’s righteousness.
19-21: In these closing verses, Samuel is confirmed as a prophet of the Lord. Word of Samuel’s appointment to prophetic office spreads throughout Israel, signifying that God was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground, meaning that all he prophesied came to pass. It shows Samuel’s entire life was marked by faithfulness and obedience to God.
Therefore, 1 Samuel 3 could be referenced in discussions about prophecy, God’s personal call, the consequences of disobedience, and the importance of righteous leadership. It can be referenced in sermons, Bible studies, and discussions about these themes.
Conclusion on 1 Samuel 3
In the conclusion of 1 Samuel 3 in the Bible, the boy Samuel has been called by God during the night. Samuel initially mistakes God’s voice for that of Eli, the priest he serves under. Following Eli’s guidance, Samuel responds to God, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
God then shares a prophecy with Samuel, explaining that He plans to carry out everything he said against Eli’s family because his sons were blaspheming God and Eli failed to restrain them.
After sharing this prophecy, God continues to call to Samuel as he grows. Samuel’s reputation grows as well as a prophet because it becomes evident that the Lord is with him, and that everything Samuel says comes true.
The Israelites, from one end of the territory to the other, recognize Samuel’s prophetic calling by God. The chapter therefore concludes with Samuel being acknowledged as a legitimate prophet of God and sets the stage for Samuel’s important role in Israel’s coming transition from the time of judges to the era of kings.