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Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here <i>am</i> I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he went and lay down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, go back <i>and</i> lie down.” So he went and lay down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then he ran to Eli and said, &#8220Here I am, for you called me.&#8221 But he said, &#8220I did not call, lie down again.&#8221 So he went and lay down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, lie down again.” So he went and lay down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; go back, lie down.” So he went and lay down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call you; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “I didn’t call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He ran to Eli and said, &#8220Here I am; you called me.&#8221 &#8220I didn&#8217t call,&#8221 Eli replied. &#8220Go back and lie down.&#8221 So he went and lay down. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am. What do you want?" "I didn't call you," Eli answered. "Go back to bed." Samuel went back. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He ran to Eli and said, "Here I am. You called me." "I didn't call [you]," Eli replied. "Go back to bed." So Samuel went back and lay down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and ran to Eli and said, "You called me, and here I am." But Eli answered, "I didn't call you; go back to bed." So Samuel went back to bed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He ran to Eli and said, "Here I am! You called me." "I didn't call you," Eli said. "Go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back and lie down." So he went back and lay down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He ran to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." He said, "I did not call; lie down again." He went and lay down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he ran to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” He said, “I didn’t call. Lie down again.” He went and lay down. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he runs to Eli and says, “Here I [am], for you have called for me”; and he says, “I did not call; turn back, lie down”; and he goes and lies down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he runneth unto Eli, and saith, 'Here am I, for thou hast called for me;' and he saith, 'I called not; turn back, lie down;' and he goeth and lieth down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will run to Eli, and say, Behold me, for thou didst call to me. And he will say, I called not; turn back, lie down. And he will go and lie down.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he ran to Heli and said: Here am I: for thou didst call me. He said: I did not call: go back and sleep. And he went and slept. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he ran to Eli, and he said, “Here I am. For you called me.” And he said: “I did not call. Return and sleep.” And he went away, and he slept.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am. You called me.” “I did not call you,” Eli answered. “Go back to sleep.” So he went back to sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he ran to Eli and said, Here I am; for you called me. And he said, I did not call; go back and lie down. And he went and lay down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he ran to Eli and said: “Behold, here I am, for you called me!” And he said, “I did not call. Go lie down.” And he went and he lay down<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he ran unto Eli, and said: 'Here am I; for thou didst call me.' And he said: 'I called not; lie down again.' And he went and lay down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he ran to Heli, and said, <i>Here am</i> I, for thou didst call me: and he said, I did not call thee; return, go to sleep; and he returned and went to sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/3-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=766" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/3.htm">The LORD Calls Samuel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>Then the LORD called to Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.” <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7323.htm" title="7323: way·yā·rāṣ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To run. A primitive root; to run.">He ran</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/5941.htm" title="5941: ‘ê·lî (N-proper-ms) -- A priest at Shiloh. From alah; lofty; Eli, an Israelite high-priest.">Eli</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: hin·nî (Interjection:: 1cs) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if.">“Here I am,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: qā·rā·ṯā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">you have called</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">me.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“I did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: qā·rā·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">call,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">Eli replied.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: šūḇ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">“Go back</a> <a href="/hebrew/7901.htm" title="7901: šə·ḵāḇ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To lie down. A primitive root; to lie down.">and lie down.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: way·yê·leḵ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">So he went</a> <a href="/hebrew/7901.htm" title="7901: way·yiš·kāḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To lie down. A primitive root; to lie down.">and lay down.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>Once 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.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/22-1.htm">Genesis 22:1-3</a></span><br />Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. / “Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” / So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-4.htm">Exodus 3:4</a></span><br />When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/6-11.htm">Judges 6:11-14</a></span><br />Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. / And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” / “Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all His wonders of which our fathers told us, saying, ‘Has not the LORD brought us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hand of Midian.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/19-11.htm">1 Kings 19:11-13</a></span><br />Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.” And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. / After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice. / When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-8.htm">Isaiah 6:8</a></span><br />Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/1-4.htm">Jeremiah 1:4-7</a></span><br />The word of the LORD came to me, saying: / “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” / “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-4.htm">Acts 9:4-6</a></span><br />He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” / “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. / “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-3.htm">Acts 10:3-4</a></span><br />One day at about the ninth hour, he had a clear vision of an angel of God who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” / Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/22-7.htm">Acts 22:7-10</a></span><br />I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’ / ‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied. / My companions saw the light, but they could not understand the voice of the One speaking to me. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/26-14.htm">Acts 26:14-16</a></span><br />We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ / ‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. / ‘But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen from Me and what I will show you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Matthew 2:13</a></span><br />When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-19.htm">Matthew 4:19-20</a></span><br />“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” / And at once they left their nets and followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-9.htm">Matthew 9:9</a></span><br />As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-17.htm">Mark 1:17-18</a></span><br />“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” / And at once they left their nets and followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-11.htm">Luke 1:11-13</a></span><br />Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. / When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear. / But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he ran to Eli, and said, Here am I; for you called me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/3-2.htm">Eli</a> <a href="/ruth/3-13.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/judges/13-10.htm">Ran</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-5.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/judges/13-10.htm">Runneth</a> <a href="/judges/13-10.htm">Running</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-19.htm">Turn</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/3-6.htm">Eli</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-6.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-12.htm">Ran</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-25.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-12.htm">Runneth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-12.htm">Running</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-3.htm">Turn</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/3-1.htm">How the word of the Lord was first revealed to Samuel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/3-11.htm">God tells Samuel the destruction of Eli's house</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/3-15.htm">Samuel, though loath, tells Eli the vision</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/3-19.htm">Samuel grows in credit</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>He ran to Eli</b><br>Samuel's immediate response to the voice calling him demonstrates his obedience and respect for Eli, the high priest. This reflects the cultural importance of honoring elders and leaders in ancient Israel. Samuel's willingness to serve Eli is indicative of his character and foreshadows his future role as a prophet who listens and responds to God's call. The act of running signifies urgency and eagerness, traits that are commendable in a servant of God.<p><b>and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.”</b><br>Samuel's response, "Here I am," is a phrase often used in Scripture to denote readiness and availability to serve, as seen in the responses of Abraham (<a href="/genesis/22.htm">Genesis 22:1</a>) and Moses (<a href="/exodus/3-4.htm">Exodus 3:4</a>). This phrase indicates Samuel's readiness to serve and his attentiveness to Eli's needs. The assumption that Eli called him shows Samuel's trust and the close relationship between the two, as Eli was both his mentor and guardian.<p><b>“I did not call,” Eli replied.</b><br>Eli's response indicates a lack of awareness of the divine encounter taking place. This moment highlights Eli's spiritual dullness, a theme that is evident in the preceding chapters where Eli's sons are described as corrupt, and Eli himself is portrayed as failing to restrain them. Eli's inability to recognize God's voice contrasts with Samuel's openness and sets the stage for the transition of spiritual leadership from Eli to Samuel.<p><b>“Go back and lie down.”</b><br>Eli's instruction to Samuel to return to bed reflects a practical response, assuming that Samuel was mistaken. This instruction also serves to emphasize the setting of the narrative, which takes place at night, a time often associated with divine revelation in the Bible. The repetition of this command in the subsequent verses underscores the persistence of God's call and the importance of discernment in recognizing God's voice.<p><b>So he went and lay down.</b><br>Samuel's obedience in returning to his place demonstrates his humility and willingness to follow Eli's guidance, even when he does not fully understand the situation. This act of lying down again symbolizes a posture of rest and readiness, preparing Samuel for the continued call of God. It also foreshadows the eventual revelation that will come to Samuel, marking the beginning of his prophetic ministry.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a></b><br>A young boy serving in the temple under Eli's guidance. He is dedicated to God by his mother, Hannah, and is being prepared for his future role as a prophet.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/eli.htm">Eli</a></b><br>The high priest and judge of Israel at the time. He is responsible for mentoring Samuel in the ways of the Lord.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_temple.htm">The Temple</a></b><br>The place where Samuel serves and where the Ark of the Covenant is kept. It is a central place of worship and spiritual activity in Israel.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_calling.htm">The Calling</a></b><br>This event marks the beginning of God's direct communication with Samuel, which will lead to his prophetic ministry.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/l/listening_for_god's_voice.htm">Listening for God's Voice</a></b><br>Just as Samuel initially did not recognize God's voice, we must learn to discern when God is speaking to us. This requires a heart open to His guidance and a willingness to listen.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/mentorship_and_guidance.htm">Mentorship and Guidance</a></b><br>Eli's role in guiding Samuel highlights the importance of spiritual mentorship. We should seek and provide godly counsel to help others grow in their faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_and_readiness.htm">Obedience and Readiness</a></b><br>Samuel's immediate response to what he thought was Eli's call demonstrates a readiness to serve. We should cultivate a heart that is eager to respond to God's call in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_patience_and_persistence.htm">God's Patience and Persistence</a></b><br>God calls Samuel multiple times, showing His patience and persistence. We can be encouraged that God does not give up on us, even when we are slow to understand His calling.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/key_events_in_samuel's_life.htm">What were the key events in Samuel's life?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/1_samuel_3_7_-_how_did_samuel_know_god.htm">1 Samuel 3:7 - How could a child with no prior knowledge of God accurately identify and respond to a supernatural voice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_sacrifices_compare_in_psalms.htm">Psalm 4:5: How do sacrifices of righteousness compare to other biblical texts that claim God does not desire sacrifice (e.g., Psalm 51:16), creating potential inconsistency?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'lions'_in_psalm_57_4_poetic_or_literal.htm">Is the reference to enemies being like 'lions' in Psalm 57:4 simply poetic imagery, or does it exaggerate any verifiable historical threat David faced?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/3-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">He ran</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֣רָץ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·rāṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7323.htm">Strong's 7323: </a> </span><span class="str2">To run</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Eli</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵלִ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5941.htm">Strong's 5941: </a> </span><span class="str2">Eli -- a priest at Shiloh</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֤אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Here I am,</span><br /><span class="heb">הִנְנִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(hin·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2005.htm">Strong's 2005: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you have called</span><br /><span class="heb">קָרָ֣אתָ</span> <span class="translit">(qā·rā·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me.”</span><br /><span class="heb">לִּ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I did not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">call,”</span><br /><span class="heb">קָרָ֖אתִי</span> <span class="translit">(qā·rā·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Eli replied.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֥אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Go back</span><br /><span class="heb">שׁ֣וּב</span> <span class="translit">(šūḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and lie down.”</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁכָ֑ב</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ḵāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7901.htm">Strong's 7901: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lie down</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So he went</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and lay down.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׁכָּֽב׃</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·kāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7901.htm">Strong's 7901: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lie down</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/3-5.htm">1 Samuel 3:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/3-5.htm">1 Samuel 3:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/3-5.htm">1 Samuel 3:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/3-5.htm">1 Samuel 3:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/3-5.htm">1 Samuel 3:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/3-5.htm">1 Samuel 3:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/3-5.htm">1 Samuel 3:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/3-5.htm">1 Samuel 3:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/3-5.htm">1 Samuel 3:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/3-5.htm">1 Samuel 3:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/3-5.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 3:5 He ran to Eli and said Here (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/3-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 3:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 3:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/3-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 3:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 3:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>