1Sa 3 | TSK | STEP | How the word of the Lord was first revealed to Samuel. God tells Samuel the destruction of Eli's house. Samuel, though loath, tells Eli the vision. Samuel grows in credit. the child. the word.

did not yet.Samuel was not destitute of the knowledge of God, in that sense which implies the total absence of true piety, as Eli's sons were; for he knew and worshipped the God of Israel: but he did not know him as communicating special revelations of his will to him, in the manner in which he made it known to the prophets.

Jer 9:24; Ac 19:2

the third.

Job 33:14,15Although Samuel did not apprehend the way in which God reveals himself to his servants the prophets--by the "still small voice"--yet when this direct communication from the Almighty was made the third time, in a way altogether new and strange to him, it seems astonishing that he did not immediately apprehend. Perhaps he would have been sooner aware of a divine revelation, had it come in a dream or a vision. Those who have the greatest knowledge of divine things, should remember the time when they were as babes, unskilful in the word of righteousness.

1Co 13:11,12

Speak.

Ex 20:19; Ps 85:8; Isa 6:8; Da 10:19; Ac 9:6

the Lord came.This seems to imply a visible appearance, as well as an audible voice.

as at other.

4-6,8Samuel did not now rise and run as before, when thought he Eli called, but lay still and listened. All must be silent, when God speaks. Observe, however, Samuel in his reply left out one word: he did not say, Speak, Lord, but only Speak, for thy servant heareth; perhaps, as Bp. Patrick suggests, out of uncertainty, whether it was God that spake to him or not. However, by this answer way was made for the message he was now to receive, and Samuel was brought acquainted with the words of God and visions of the Almighty.

I will do.

Isa 29:14; Am 3:6,7; Hab 1:5; Ac 13:41

both the ears.

2Ki 21:12; Isa 28:19; Jer 19:3; Lu 21:26

I will perform.

2:27-36; Nu 23:19; Jos 23:15; Zec 1:6; Lu 21:33

when I begin, etc. Heb. beginning and ending.

For I have told him. or, And I will tell him, etc.

2:27-30,31-36

I will.

2Ch 20:12; Eze 7:3; 18:30; Joe 3:12

which he knoweth.

1Ki 2:44; Ec 7:22; 1Jo 3:20

his sons.

2:12,17,22,23-26

vile. or, accursed. restrained them not. Heb. frowned notupon them.

2:23-25; 1Ki 1:6; Pr 19:18; 23:13,14; 29:15; Mt 10:37

the iniquity.

2:25; Nu 15:30,31; Ps 51:16; Isa 22:14; Jer 7:16; 15:1; Eze 24:13

Heb 10:4-10,26-31

opened.

1:9; Mal 1:10

Samuel.Samuel reverenced Eli as a father, and feared to distress him by shewing what God had purposed to do. It does not appear that God commanded Samuel to deliver this message; he therefore did not attempt it till adjured by Eli. It might be supposed that Samuel would have been so full of ecstasy as to have forgotten his ordinary service, and run amongst his friends to tell them of the converse he had with God in the night: but he modestly keeps it to himself. Our secret communion with God is not to be proclaimed on the house-top.

feared.

Jer 1:6-8; 1Co 16:10,11

I pray thee.

Ps 141:5; Da 4:19; Mic 2:7

God.

20:13; Ru 1:17; 2Sa 3:35; 19:13; 1Ki 22:16; Mt 26:63

more also. Heb. so add. thing. or, word.

every whit. Heb. all the things, or, words.Whit, or wid, comes from the Anglo-Saxon {wiht,} which signifies person, thing, etc.: every whit is every thing: equivalent to every jot.

It is the Lord.

Ge 18:25; Jud 10:15; 2Sa 16:10-12; Job 1:21; 2:10; Ps 39:9

Isa 39:8; La 3:39; 1Pe 5:6

grew.

2:21; Jud 13:24; Lu 1:80; 2:40,52

the Lord.

18:14; Ge 39:2,21-23; Isa 43:2; Mt 1:23; Lu 1:28; 2Co 13:11,14

2Ti 4:22

let none.

9:6; 1Ki 8:56; Isa 44:26

Dan.

Jud 20:1; 2Sa 3:10; 17:11