1Sa 3:4-14 | TNotes

3:7 ^a Samuel did not yet know the Lord: He lacked direct experience of the Lord. In contrast, Eli’s sons did not know the Lord (see study note on 2:12) in that they were morally and spiritually deficient.
3:8 ^b Eli realized: Despite his many shortcomings, Eli was not completely without spiritual insight.
3:10 ^c The doubling of the name calls attention to the seriousness of the moment (cp. Gen 22:11 ^d; Exod 3:4 ^e; Matt 27:46 ^f; Luke 22:31 ^g; Acts 9:4 ^h).

• Samuel omits “Lord” (see 1 Sam 3:9 ⁱ) from his response either out of reverence for the name or because of a lingering uncertainty about who was speaking.
3:11 ^j The phrase a shocking thing conveys the magnitude and severity of God’s judgment. God’s actions would also be of national significance for Israel (cp. 2 Kgs 21:12 ^k; Jer 19:3 ^l).
3:12 ^m my threats: See 2:27-36 ⁿ.
3:13 ^o his sons are blaspheming God: They were expressing contempt for God through their actions.

• hasn’t disciplined them: Eli rebuked his sons (2:23-25 ^p), but he did not restrain them.
3:14 ^q Neither blood sacrifices nor offerings would be acceptable on behalf of Eli and his sons. The offerings of Lev 4–5 ^r were for sins committed inadvertently or unintentionally, whereas the sins of Eli and his sons were deliberate and rebellious.