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In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the LORD by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the LORD were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon. <a href="/esv/1_samuel/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. Now in those days the word of the LORD was rare, and visions were scarce. <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/3.htm">King James Bible</a> And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/3.htm">New King James Version</a> Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now the boy Samuel was attending to the service of the LORD before Eli. And word from the LORD was rare in those days; visions were infrequent. <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli. And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent. <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli. And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent. <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now the young boy Samuel was ministering to Yahweh before Eli. And word from Yahweh was rare in those days; visions were infrequent. <a href="/amp/1_samuel/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now the boy Samuel was attending to the service of the LORD under the supervision of Eli. The word of the LORD was rare and precious in those days; visions [that is, new revelations of divine truth] were not widespread. <a href="/csb/1_samuel/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The boy Samuel served the LORD in Eli’s presence. In those days the word of the LORD was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread. <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The boy Samuel served the LORD in Eli&#8217s presence. In those days the word of the LORD was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread. <a href="/asv/1_samuel/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> And the child Samuel ministered unto Jehovah before Eli. And the word of Jehovah was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision. <a href="/erv/1_samuel/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The boy Samuel was serving the LORD under Eli. In those days a prophecy from the LORD was rare; visions were infrequent. <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> In those days, when the boy Samuel was serving the LORD under the direction of Eli, there were very few messages from the LORD, and visions from him were quite rare. <a href="/isv/1_samuel/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> Meanwhile the boy Samuel was serving the LORD before Eli. A word from the LORD was rare in those days, and visions were infrequent. <a href="/msb/1_samuel/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. Now in those days the word of the LORD was rare, and visions were scarce. <a href="/net/1_samuel/3.htm">NET Bible</a> Now the boy Samuel continued serving the LORD under Eli's supervision. Word from the LORD was rare in those days; revelatory visions were infrequent. <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The child Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. The word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the child Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. <a href="/web/1_samuel/3.htm">World English Bible</a> The child Samuel ministered to Yahweh before Eli. Yahweh’s word was rare in those days. There were not many visions, then. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the youth Samuel is serving YHWH before Eli, and the word of YHWH has been precious in those days—there is no vision breaking forth. <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And the youth Samuel is serving Jehovah before Eli, and the word of Jehovah hath been precious in those days -- there is no vision broken forth. <a href="/slt/1_samuel/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the boy Samuel serving Jehovah before Eli, and the word of Jehovah was precious in those days; no vision spread abroad.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Now the child Samuel ministered to the Lord before Heli, and the word of the Lord was precious in those days, there was no manifest vision. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord before Eli, and the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no manifest vision. <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/3.htm">New American Bible</a> During the time young Samuel was minister to the LORD under Eli, the word of the LORD was scarce and vision infrequent. <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. The word of the LORD was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> AND the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD, assisting Eli the priest. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the boy Shemueil was ministering before LORD JEHOVAH, before Eli the Priest, and the word of LORD JEHOVAH was precious in those days. There was no vision revealed<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision. <a href="/sep/1_samuel/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the child Samuel ministered to the Lord before Heli the priest: and the word of the Lord was precious in those days, there was no distinct vision. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/3-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=734" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/3.htm">The LORD Calls Samuel</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: wə·han·na·‘ar (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">And the boy</a> <a href="/hebrew/8050.htm" title="8050: šə·mū·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- Name of God, a prophet of Isr. From the passive participle of shama' and 'el; heard of God; Shemuel, the name of three Israelites.">Samuel</a> <a href="/hebrew/8334.htm" title="8334: mə·šā·rêṯ (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To minister, serve. A primitive root; to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to.">ministered</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</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/1992.htm" title="1992: hā·hêm (Art:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">Now in those</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bay·yā·mîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">days</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: ū·ḏə·ḇar- (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">the word</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">was</a> <a href="/hebrew/3368.htm" title="3368: yā·qār (Adj-ms) -- Precious, rare, splendid, weighty. From yaqar; valuable.">rare</a> <a href="/hebrew/2377.htm" title="2377: ḥā·zō·wn (N-ms) -- Vision. From chazah; a sight, i.e. A dream, revelation, or oracle.">and visions</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">were</a> <a href="/hebrew/6555.htm" title="6555: nip̄·rāṣ (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To break through. A primitive root; to break out.">scarce.</a> 2And at that time Eli, whose eyesight had grown so dim that he could not see, was lying in his room.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11-12</a> Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. / People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it. <a href="/proverbs/29-18.htm">Proverbs 29:18</a> Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law. <a href="/lamentations/2-9.htm">Lamentations 2:9</a> Her gates have sunk into the ground; He has destroyed and shattered their bars. Her king and her princes are exiled among the nations, the law is no more, and even her prophets find no vision from the LORD. <a href="/ezekiel/7-26.htm">Ezekiel 7:26</a> Disaster upon disaster will come, and rumor after rumor. Then they will seek a vision from a prophet, but instruction from the priests will perish, as will counsel from the elders. <a href="/psalms/74-9.htm">Psalm 74:9</a> There are no signs for us to see. There is no longer any prophet. And none of us knows how long this will last. <a href="/2_chronicles/15-3.htm">2 Chronicles 15:3</a> For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a priest to instruct them, and without the law. <a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a> My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. <a href="/isaiah/29-10.htm">Isaiah 29:10-12</a> For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers. / And the entire vision will be to you like the words sealed in a scroll. If it is handed to someone to read, he will say, “I cannot, because it is sealed.” / Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.” <a href="/micah/3-6.htm">Micah 3:6-7</a> Therefore night will come over you without visions, and darkness without divination. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn black over them. / Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.” <a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Matthew 13:14-15</a> In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ <a href="/acts/28-26.htm">Acts 28:26-27</a> ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ <a href="/hebrews/1-1.htm">Hebrews 1:1-2</a> On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. / But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. <a href="/john/12-38.htm">John 12:38-40</a> This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” / For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: / “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.” <a href="/romans/11-8.htm">Romans 11:8</a> as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” <a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">2 Timothy 4:3-4</a> For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the child Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.the child<a href="/1_samuel/3-15.htm">1 Samuel 3:15</a> And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.<a href="/1_samuel/2-11.htm">1 Samuel 2:11,18</a> And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest… the word<a href="/1_samuel/3-21.htm">1 Samuel 3:21</a> And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.<a href="/psalms/74-9.htm">Psalm 74:9</a> We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.<a href="/isaiah/13-12.htm">Isaiah 13:12</a> I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/2-26.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-10.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-26.htm">Child</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-27.htm">Eli</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-19.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-18.htm">Ministered</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-18.htm">Ministering</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-1.htm">Open</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-16.htm">Precious</a> <a href="/revelation/21-11.htm">Rare</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-26.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/judges/16-15.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-16.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-11.htm">Serving</a> <a href="/numbers/24-16.htm">Vision</a> <a href="/numbers/12-6.htm">Visions</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-29.htm">Word</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-33.htm">Young</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-26.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/3-8.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-11.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-8.htm">Child</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-2.htm">Eli</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-15.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-17.htm">Ministered</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-15.htm">Ministering</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-9.htm">Open</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-21.htm">Precious</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-15.htm">Rare</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-3.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-9.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-9.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-8.htm">Serving</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-15.htm">Vision</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/9-29.htm">Visions</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-7.htm">Word</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-9.htm">Young</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-8.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 3</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/3-1.htm">How the word of the Lord was first revealed to Samuel</a> 11. <a href="/1_samuel/3-11.htm">God tells Samuel the destruction of Eli's house</a> 15. <a href="/1_samuel/3-15.htm">Samuel, though loath, tells Eli the vision</a> 19. <a href="/1_samuel/3-19.htm">Samuel grows in credit</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>And the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. Samuel, a young boy dedicated to God by his mother Hannah, served in the tabernacle at Shiloh under the guidance of Eli, the high priest. This service was a fulfillment of Hannah's vow to dedicate her son to the Lord (<a href="/1_samuel/1-11.htm">1 Samuel 1:11, 28</a>). Samuel's role as a minister to the Lord signifies his early dedication and the beginning of his prophetic ministry. The phrase "before Eli" indicates that Samuel was under Eli's mentorship and authority, learning the duties of priesthood and service to God. This setting in Shiloh, a central place of worship before the establishment of the temple in Jerusalem, highlights the importance of Samuel's role in Israel's spiritual life.Now in those days the word of the LORD was rare, During this period, Israel was experiencing a spiritual decline, marked by the scarcity of divine revelation. The rarity of God's word suggests a time of moral and spiritual darkness, where prophetic messages were infrequent. This scarcity can be attributed to the corruption of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were priests but acted wickedly (<a href="/1_samuel/2-12.htm">1 Samuel 2:12-17</a>). The lack of prophetic guidance left the nation without clear direction from God, emphasizing the need for a faithful prophet like Samuel.and visions were scarce. Visions, as a means of divine communication, were uncommon during this time, further illustrating the spiritual barrenness of Israel. In the Old Testament, visions were often used by God to reveal His will and guidance to His people (e.g., <a href="/genesis/15.htm">Genesis 15:1</a>, <a href="/daniel/7.htm">Daniel 7:1</a>). The scarcity of visions indicates a period where God was not actively revealing Himself to His people, possibly due to their disobedience and the corruption of the priesthood. This context sets the stage for Samuel's significant role as a prophet who would restore the communication between God and Israel, ultimately leading to the anointing of kings and the establishment of a united monarchy.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a> A young boy dedicated to the Lord by his mother, Hannah, serving in the temple under the priest Eli. Samuel is significant as he will become a major prophet and judge in Israel. 2. <a href="/topical/e/eli.htm">Eli</a> The high priest and judge of Israel at the time. He is responsible for mentoring Samuel in the ways of the Lord, though his own sons are corrupt. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_temple.htm">The Temple</a> The place where Samuel serves, which is a central location for worship and sacrifice in Israel. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_word_of_the_lord.htm">The Word of the LORD</a> Refers to divine communication from God, which was infrequent during this period, indicating a spiritual drought in Israel. 5. <a href="/topical/v/visions.htm">Visions</a> Supernatural revelations from God, which were also rare at this time, highlighting the lack of prophetic guidance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_drought.htm">Spiritual Drought</a> Recognize the signs of spiritual drought in our own lives and communities. Just as the word of the Lord was rare in Samuel's time, we must seek God earnestly to avoid spiritual dryness. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_service.htm">Faithfulness in Service</a> Like Samuel, who ministered faithfully despite the scarcity of divine revelation, we are called to serve God diligently, even when we do not see immediate results or hear His voice clearly. <a href="/topical/m/mentorship_and_influence.htm">Mentorship and Influence</a> Eli's role in Samuel's life reminds us of the importance of godly mentorship. We should seek to mentor others in faith and be open to being mentored ourselves. <a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_god's_word.htm">The Value of God's Word</a> Cherish and prioritize the Word of God in our lives. Unlike the scarcity in Samuel's time, we have access to the Scriptures and should not take this for granted.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 3</a> <a href="/q/is_there_archaeological_proof_of_samuel.htm">1 Samuel 3 – Is there any archaeological support for Samuel’s early prophetic ministry, or is it solely dependent on this biblical narrative?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_jesus'_visions_in_the_bible.htm">What does the Bible say about Jesus' visions?</a> <a href="/q/why_was_god's_word_rare_in_1_samuel_3_1.htm">1 Samuel 3:1 – How can “the word of the Lord” be rare when earlier biblical accounts suggest ongoing divine revelations? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_no_vision.htm">What does the Bible say about lacking vision?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) The child Samuel ministered unto the Lord.--The writer of this history, although well aware of the great revolution accomplished in Israel by the prophet whose life and work the Holy Spirit bade him record, gives us but the simplest and shortest possible account of the child-days of him who was only second to Moses in his influence on the eventful story of the chosen people. But short and devoid of detail though the record be, it is enough to show us that the atmosphere in which the child lived was a pure and holy one; the boy was evidently kept apart from Hophni, Phinehas, and their impious self-seeking party. The high priestly guardian was evidently fully conscious of the importance of his charge, and he watched over his pupil with a tender watchful care. Perhaps his sad experiences with his evil headstrong sons had taught the old man wisdom; certainly the training he gave to Samuel was one that educated the boy well for his after-life of stirring public work. The notices of the childhood and boyhood are indeed brief. The first contrasts sharply the lawless profligacy of the priestly houses with the pure holy childhood passed in the sanctuary courts, probably always in the company of the old man. Hophni and Phinehas, the grown men prostituted the holy work to their own vile worldly ends: the child ministered before the Lord in his little white robe; and while in the home life of his own mother and father in Ramah, his brothers and sisters were growing up with the sorrows and joys of other Hebrew children, "the child Samuel grew before the Lord" amid the stillness and silence and the awful mystery of the Divine protection, which seems ever, even in the darkest days of the history of Israel, to have surrounded the home of the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. It was amidst this silent, sacred mystery, apart from the disorders of his priestly sons, that Eli taught the boy the story of his ancestors, with only the dark curtains of the sanctuary hanging between master and pupil and the mystic golden throne of God, on which His glory was sometimes pleased to rest.The writer wrote his gloomy recital of the wild unbridled life of the wicked priests, wrote down the weak, sorrowful remonstrances of the father and high priest, foreshadowing, however, their certain doom; and then, again, with their life of shame sharply contrasts the pure child-life of the little pupil of the old sorrow-stricken high priest--the boy whom all men loved. "And the boy Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men."Once more Eli, now weak with age, is warned of the sure consequences which would follow the evil licence and the irreligion of his priestly sons; and again the boy Samuel and his life, guided by Eli, his guardian and teacher, is contrasted with the wild, unchecked lawlessness of the priestly sons of Eli perpetually dishonouring religion and the sanctuary--a lawlessness which had just been denounced by the nameless prophet (<a href="/context/1_samuel/2-27.htm" title="And there came a man of God to Eli, and said to him, Thus said the LORD, Did I plainly appear to the house of your father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?">1Samuel 2:27-36</a>).Josephus tells us that Samuel, when the Lord first called him, was twelve years old. This was the age of the child Jesus when He disputed with the doctors in the Temple.Was precious in those days.--Precious, that is, rare. "The word of the Lord" is the will of the Lord announced by a prophet, seer, or man of God. Between the days of Deborah and the nameless man of God who came with the awful message to Eli, no inspired voice seems to have spoken to the chosen people.The "open vision" refers to such manifestations of the Divinity as were vouchsafed to Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and Manoah, and in this chapter to Samuel. There may possibly be some reference to the appearance of Divine glory which was connected with the Urim and Thummim which were worn by the high priest. This significant silence on the part of the invisible King the writer dwells on as a result of the deep corruption into which the priests and, through their evil example, a large proportion of the nation, had fallen.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - The word of the Lord was precious in those days. Or rather rare; it came but seldom, and there was no proper order of persons from whose ranks the "speakers for God" would naturally step forth. It was this which made the revelation of Jehovah's will to Samuel an event so memorable both for the Jewish nation and for the Church; for he was called by the providence of God to be the founder of prophecy as an established institution, and henceforward, side by side with the king and priest, the prophet took his place as one of the three factors in the preparation for the coming of him who is a king to rule, a Priest to make atonement, and also a Prophet to teach his people and guide them into all the truth. There was no open vision. Literally, "no vision that broke forth" (see <a href="/2_chronicles/31-5.htm">2 Chronicles 31:5</a>, where it is used of the publication of a decree). The meaning is, that though prophecy was an essential condition of the spiritual life of Israel, yet that hitherto it had not been promulgated and established as a fact. The gift had not absolutely been withheld, but neither had it been permanently granted as a settled ordinance. There are in Hebrew two words for vision: the one used here, hazon, refers to such sights as are revealed to the tranced eye of the seer when in a state of ecstasy; while the other, march, is a vision seen by the natural eye. From the days, however, of Isaiah onward, hazon became the generic term for all prophecy. <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/3-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>And the boy וְהַנַּ֧עַר (wə·han·na·‘ar) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> A boy, lad, youth, retainer Samuel שְׁמוּאֵ֛ל (šə·mū·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8050.htm">Strong's 8050: </a> Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel ministered מְשָׁרֵ֥ת (mə·šā·rêṯ) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8334.htm">Strong's 8334: </a> To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to to אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Direct object marker <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel before לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face Eli. עֵלִ֑י (‘ê·lî) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5941.htm">Strong's 5941: </a> Eli -- a priest at Shiloh Now in those הָהֵ֔ם (hā·hêm) Article | Pronoun - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> They days בַּיָּמִ֣ים (bay·yā·mîm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day the word וּדְבַר־ (ū·ḏə·ḇar-) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause of the LORD יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel was הָיָ֤ה (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be rare יָקָר֙ (yā·qār) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3368.htm">Strong's 3368: </a> Precious, rare, splendid, weighty and visions חָז֖וֹן (ḥā·zō·wn) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2377.htm">Strong's 2377: </a> A sight, a dream, revelation, oracle were אֵ֥ין (’ên) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle scarce. נִפְרָֽץ׃ (nip̄·rāṣ) Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6555.htm">Strong's 6555: </a> To break through <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/3-1.htm">1 Samuel 3:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/3-1.htm">1 Samuel 3:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/3-1.htm">1 Samuel 3:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/3-1.htm">1 Samuel 3:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/3-1.htm">1 Samuel 3:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/3-1.htm">1 Samuel 3:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/3-1.htm">1 Samuel 3:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/3-1.htm">1 Samuel 3:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/3-1.htm">1 Samuel 3:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/3-1.htm">1 Samuel 3:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-1.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 3:1 The child Samuel ministered to Yahweh before (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/2-36.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 2:36"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 2:36" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/3-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 3:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 3:2" /></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>