1 Samuel 3
Lutheran reading notes
In 1 Samuel chapter 3, the account continues the story of the transition of Israel from judges to monarchy. Lutheran interpretation frequently highlights how these events reveal both human sinfulness and God’s faithful promises. The chapter demonstrates the tension between human failure and God’s ongoing grace working through history.
1
And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; {there was} no open vision.
1 Samuel 3:1 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
And it came to pass at that time, when Eli {was} laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, {that} he could not see;
1 Samuel 3:2 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God {was}, and Samuel was laid down {to sleep};
1 Samuel 3:3 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here {am} I.
1 Samuel 3:4 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here {am} I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
1 Samuel 3:5 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here {am} I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
1 Samuel 3:6 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. {Now...: or, Thus did Samuel before he knew the LORD, and before the word of the LORD was revealed unto him}
1 Samuel 3:7 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here {am} I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
1 Samuel 3:8 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
1 Samuel 3:9 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
1 Samuel 3:10 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
1 Samuel 3:11 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
In that day I will perform against Eli all {things} which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. {when...: Heb. beginning and ending}
1 Samuel 3:12 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. {For I...: or, And I will tell him} {vile: or, accursed} {restrained...: Heb. frowned not upon them}
1 Samuel 3:13 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
1 Samuel 3:14 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
1 Samuel 3:15 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here {am} I.
1 Samuel 3:16 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
And he said, What {is} the thing that {the LORD} hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide {it} not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide {any} thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. {more also: Heb. so add} {thing: or, word}
1 Samuel 3:17 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It {is} the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good. {every...: Heb. all the things, or, words}
1 Samuel 3:18 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
1 Samuel 3:19 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel {was} established {to be} a prophet of the LORD. {established: or, faithful}
1 Samuel 3:20 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21
And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
1 Samuel 3:21 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.