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1 Samuel 3

1 Samuel 3 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

1 Samuel 3 tells how the LORD calls young Samuel in the night and teaches him to listen. The chapter marks a turning point for Israel, as God speaks clearly again and prepares Samuel for prophetic service.

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What happens in 1 Samuel 3?

Samuel is serving under Eli when the word of the LORD is rare in Israel. During the night, God calls Samuel three times, and at first he mistakes the voice for Eli's. After Eli realizes what is happening, he tells Samuel to answer with readiness and listening. The LORD then gives Samuel a hard message about judgment on Eli's household because of his sons' sin and Eli's failure to restrain them. Samuel later reports the vision, grows in faithfulness, and becomes known throughout Israel as a confirmed prophet.

This chapter follows the earlier account of Eli's family and the corrupt behavior of his sons. It opens the next stage of 1 Samuel by showing God raising up Samuel as a true prophet while the old priestly house comes under judgment. The story prepares for the changes soon to unfold in Israel's leadership.

Themes to notice

  • God speaksWhen His word is rare, the LORD still calls and reveals His will in a personal way.
  • Listening and obedienceSamuel learns to answer with readiness, and his response becomes a model of attentive service.
  • Judgment on sinThe message to Eli shows that sin, especially unrestrained rebellion, brings serious accountability before God.

Questions for 1 Samuel 3

  • Why does Samuel first mistake the LORD's voice for Eli's voice?
  • What does Eli's instruction teach about how to respond when God speaks?
  • Why is the message against Eli's house so severe?

Read the full text of 1 Samuel 3 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

1 Samuel 3

The LORD Calls Samuel

1And the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. Now in those days the word of the LORD was rare and visions were scarce.2And at that time Eli, whose eyesight had grown so dim that he could not see, was lying in his room.3Before the lamp of God had gone out, Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was located.4Then the LORD called to Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.”

5He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” “I did not call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.6Once again the LORD called, “Samuel!” So Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” “My son, I did not call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.”7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, because the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.8Once again, for the third time, the LORD called to Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” Then Eli realized that it was the LORD who was calling the boy.9“Go and lie down,” he said to Samuel, “and if He calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.10Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

11Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do something in Israel at which the ears of all who hear it will tingle.12On that day I will carry out against Eli everything I have spoken about his family, from beginning to end.13I told him that I would judge his house forever for the iniquity of which he knows, because his sons blasphemed God and he did not restrain them.14Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli, ‘The iniquity of Eli’s house shall never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’”

Samuel Shares the Vision

15Samuel lay down until the morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision,16but Eli called to him and said, “Samuel, my son.” “Here I am,” answered Samuel.

17“What was the message He gave you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God punish you, and ever so severely, if you hide from me anything He said to you.”

18So Samuel told him everything and did not hide a thing from him. “He is the LORD,” replied Eli. “Let Him do what is good in His eyes.”

19And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and He let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.20So all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD.21And the LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, because there He revealed Himself to Samuel by His word.

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