1 Samuel 3:3 KJV,ASV

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Samuel 3:2-3

(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; (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; The smaller lamps, which were lighted for common use, no doubt like other common things, were extinguished when their ministry came no longer necessary. But the lamps before the altar were never suffered to go out. To intimate, no doubt, that... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 3:3

Out, towards morning, (Calmet; Exodus xxvii. 20.) when some of the lamps were to be extinguished. (Worthington) --- Samuel slept. Some would transpose these words to the end of the verse, as they think it improbable that Samuel should be in the place where the high priest himself could enter only once a year. (Vatable, &c.) --- But this change seems harsh and unnecessary, as Heli and Samuel might be in apartments contiguous to the holy place. (Sanctius; Menochius; Calmet) --- During the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 3:1-10

1-10 The call which Divine grace designs shall be made effectual; will be repeated till it is so, till we come to the call. Eli, perceiving that it was the voice of God that Samuel heard, instructed him what to say. Though it was a disgrace to Eli, for God's call to be directed to Samuel, yet he told him how to meet it. Thus the elder should do their utmost to assist and improve the younger that are rising up. Let us never fail to teach those who are coming after us, even such as will soon be... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 1 Samuel 3:1-10

The Lord Reveals Himself to Samuel v. 1. And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli, as a special servant of the Sanctuary, under the immediate direction of the high priest. And the Word of the Lord was precious in those days, it rarely happened that the Lord sent a message by direct prophetic announcement; there was no open vision, literally, "there was no vision spread abroad," made public frequently. There was lacking, on the one hand, a pious, God-fearing priesthood and, on... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - 1 Samuel 3:1-21

SECOND SECTIONSamuel’s Call1 Samuel 3:1 to 1 Samuel 4:1 a1And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord [Jehovah] before Eli. And the word of the Lord [Jehovah] was precious1 in those days; there was no open 2vision [vision spread abroad2]. And it came to pass at that time, when [that3]. Eli was laid down [lying down4] in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim that he could 3not see. And ere [om. ere5] the lamp of God went out [was not yet gone out] in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of... read more

Alexander MacLaren

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - 1 Samuel 3:1-14

1 Samuel THE CHILD PROPHET 1Sa_3:1 - 1Sa_3:14 . The opening words of this passage are substantially repeated from 1Sa_2:11 , 1Sa_2:18 . They come as a kind of refrain, contrasting the quiet, continuous growth and holy service of the child Samuel with the black narrative of Eli’s riotous sons. While the hereditary priests were plunging into debauchery, and making men turn away from the Tabernacle services, Hannah’s son was ministering unto the Lord, and, though no priest, was ‘girt with an... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - 1 Samuel 3:1-9

Speak, Lord; for Thy Servant Heareth 1 Samuel 3:1-9 As we read again these familiar verses, we are taken back in thought to the dear scenes of childhood-to the home we remember so well and to the mother’s voice, perhaps now silent. This story, which was our favorite then, is hardly less dear to us now that we are well advanced on the pathway toward the home beyond. The dying lamp of the Tabernacle, the glimmering dawn, the silence and awe of the Holy Place were in strict accord with the... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 3:1-21

At this point in the history came a change, startling, and full of meaning in Samuel's life. In the silence of the night a Voice called him by name. Thrice he answered by going to Eli. At last Eli recognized that the Voice was the Voice of God speaking to the lad, and he told Samuel to answer for himself. This was the beginning of direct divine communication to him. We have already read that he had ministered before the Lord, and yet that he had not known Him directly until now. This in... read more

Robert Neighbour

Wells of Living Water Commentary - 1 Samuel 3:1-21

The Prophet Samuel 1 Samuel 3:1-21 INTRODUCTORY WORDS The story of Samuel is one of the outstanding messages of the Bible. His father's name was Elkanah. His mother's name was Hannah. Elkanah went up, from year to year, to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of Hosts in Shiloh. Hannah went also, but she went with a heavy heart. She was in bitterness of soul, and she prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. Then she vowed a vow and said, "O Lord of Hosts, if Thou wilt indeed look on the... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 3:2-6

YHWH Approaches Samuel (1 Samuel 3:2-6 ) . 1 Samuel 3:2-4 ‘ And it came about on that day, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to wax dim, so that he could not see), and the lamp of God was not yet gone out, and Samuel was laid down to sleep, in the temple of YHWH, where the ark of God was, that YHWH called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am.” ’ It cannot be accidental that the writer provides us with this detail. Outwardly the scene was commonplace. Old and almost blind... read more