New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
1 Samuel 3
1
The boy Samuel served the Lord under the direction of Eli. In those days the Lord didn't give many messages to his people. He didn't give them many visions.
Reference
2
One night Eli was lying down in his usual place. His eyes were becoming so weak he couldn't see very well.
Reference
3
Samuel was lying down in the Lord's house. That's where the ark of God was kept. The lamp of God was still burning.
Reference
5
He ran over to Eli. He said, "Here I am. You called out to me." But Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.
6
Again the Lord called out, "Samuel!" Samuel got up and went to Eli. He said, "Here I am. You called out to me." "My son," Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back and lie down."
7
Samuel didn't know the Lord yet. That's because the Lord still hadn't given him a message.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 19:2
8
The Lord called out to Samuel for the third time. Samuel got up and went to Eli. He said, "Here I am. You called out to me." Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy.
9
So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down. If someone calls out to you again, say, 'Speak, Lord. I'm listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Reference
10
The Lord came and stood there. He called out, just as he had done the other times. He said, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel replied, "Speak. I'm listening."
11
The Lord said to Samuel, "Pay attention! I am about to do something terrible in Israel. It will make the ears of everyone who hears about it ring.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 13:41
Habakkuk 1:5
Luke 21:26
Isaiah 29:14
Isaiah 28:19
References Lord
Jeremiah 19:3
2 Kings 21:12
12
"At that time I will do everything to Eli and his family that I said I would. I will finish what I have started.
13
I told Eli I would punish his family forever. He knew his sons were sinning. He knew they were making fun of me. In spite of that, he failed to stop them.
Reference
Judgment
Ezekiel 18:30
Ezekiel 7:3
Parallel theme
Matthew 10:37
Proverbs 19:18
1 Samuel 2:12
1 Kings 1:6
Proverbs 29:15
Sin
1 Samuel 2:17
14
"So I took an oath and made a promise to the family of Eli. I said, 'The sins of Eli's family will never be paid for by bringing sacrifices or offerings.' "
Reference
15
Samuel lay down until morning. Then he opened the doors of the Lord's house. He was afraid to tell Eli about the vision he had received.
16
But Eli called out to him. He said, "Samuel, my son." Samuel answered, "Here I am."
17
"What did the Lord say to you?" Eli asked. "Don't hide from me anything he told you. If you do, may God punish you greatly."
Reference
18
So Samuel told him everything. He didn't hide anything from him. Then Eli said, "He is the Lord. Let him do what he thinks is best."
Reference
Good
Isaiah 39:8
Job 2:10
Judges 10:15
Parallel theme
1 Peter 5:6
Psalm 39:9
Lamentations 3:39
References Lord
Job 1:21
19
As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him. He made everything Samuel said come true.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Samuel 9:6
Luke 2:52
2 Corinthians 13:11
Luke 2:40
Isaiah 43:2
References Lord
Genesis 39:2
1 Samuel 2:21
2 Timothy 4:22
2 Corinthians 13:14
Word
1 Kings 8:56
20
So all of the people of Israel recognized that Samuel really was a prophet of the Lord. Everyone from Dan all the way to Beersheba knew it.
Reference
21
The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh. There he made himself known to Samuel through the messages he gave him.
Reference
Parallel theme
Hebrews 1:1
References Lord
Genesis 12:7
1 Samuel 3:4
Amos 3:7
1 Samuel 3:10
Word
1 Samuel 3:1
Genesis 15:1
Numbers 12:6
Chapter Summary
records God's first direct call to the young Samuel and marks the beginning of his public ministry as a prophet. During a time when God's word was rarely heard in Israel, Samuel faithfully served at the tabernacle in Shiloh under Eli's guidance. One night, while Samuel was resting near the tabernacle, the Lord called him by name. Mistaking God's voice for Eli's, Samuel repeatedly ran to the elderly priest until Eli realized that God Himself was speaking to the young servant.
Following Eli's instruction, Samuel responded with humility and readiness, saying, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening." God then entrusted Samuel with his first prophetic message—a confirmation of the judgment that had already been pronounced against Eli's household because of the persistent wickedness of Hophni and Phinehas and Eli's failure to restrain them. Although Samuel feared delivering such difficult news to the man who had raised and instructed him, he faithfully reported every word without altering the message.
Eli accepted God's judgment with humility, acknowledging the Lord's sovereign right to act according to His perfect justice. From that point forward, Samuel continued to grow both spiritually and in public recognition. God remained with him, and every prophecy Samuel delivered proved true. Soon all Israel recognized that Samuel had been established by the Lord as His prophet.
The chapter demonstrates that God continues speaking even during times of spiritual darkness. He often calls humble, faithful servants who are willing to listen and obey. Samuel's willingness to hear God's voice and faithfully proclaim His message prepared him to become Israel's final judge, a great prophet, and the spiritual leader who would guide the nation into the era of its kings.
Samuel's calling marks the beginning of a new chapter in Israel's history. As the last judge and one of Israel's greatest prophets, he would call the nation back to faithfulness, anoint Saul as Israel's first king, and later anoint David, establishing the royal line through which the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, would come. The chapter also demonstrates that God's revelation, though sometimes quiet for a season, never ceases when He raises faithful servants to declare His word.
This chapter underline that God calls those who are willing to listen and obey. Samuel's faithful response to God's voice demonstrates that true spiritual leadership begins with humility, obedience, and a willingness to proclaim God's truth, even when it is difficult.
God still seeks hearts that are ready to say, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening." Those who faithfully hear and obey His word become instruments through whom He accomplishes His purposes.
Following Eli's instruction, Samuel responded with humility and readiness, saying, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening." God then entrusted Samuel with his first prophetic message—a confirmation of the judgment that had already been pronounced against Eli's household because of the persistent wickedness of Hophni and Phinehas and Eli's failure to restrain them. Although Samuel feared delivering such difficult news to the man who had raised and instructed him, he faithfully reported every word without altering the message.
Eli accepted God's judgment with humility, acknowledging the Lord's sovereign right to act according to His perfect justice. From that point forward, Samuel continued to grow both spiritually and in public recognition. God remained with him, and every prophecy Samuel delivered proved true. Soon all Israel recognized that Samuel had been established by the Lord as His prophet.
The chapter demonstrates that God continues speaking even during times of spiritual darkness. He often calls humble, faithful servants who are willing to listen and obey. Samuel's willingness to hear God's voice and faithfully proclaim His message prepared him to become Israel's final judge, a great prophet, and the spiritual leader who would guide the nation into the era of its kings.
Samuel's calling marks the beginning of a new chapter in Israel's history. As the last judge and one of Israel's greatest prophets, he would call the nation back to faithfulness, anoint Saul as Israel's first king, and later anoint David, establishing the royal line through which the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, would come. The chapter also demonstrates that God's revelation, though sometimes quiet for a season, never ceases when He raises faithful servants to declare His word.
This chapter underline that God calls those who are willing to listen and obey. Samuel's faithful response to God's voice demonstrates that true spiritual leadership begins with humility, obedience, and a willingness to proclaim God's truth, even when it is difficult.
God still seeks hearts that are ready to say, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening." Those who faithfully hear and obey His word become instruments through whom He accomplishes His purposes.