📖 1 Samuel — Chapter 3 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Samuel 3:1 And Rthe child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
1 Samuel 3:2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and Rhis eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
1 Samuel 3:3 And ere Rthe lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
1 Samuel 3:4 That the LORD Rcalled Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
1 Samuel 3:5 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.
1 Samuel 3:6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
1 Samuel 3:7 TNow Samuel Rdid not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
1 Samuel 3:8 And the LORD called Samuel again Rthe third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
1 Samuel 3:9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, RSpeak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
1 Samuel 3:10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called Ras at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
1 Samuel 3:11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, RI will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
1 Samuel 3:12 In that day RI will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: Twhen I begin, I will also make an end.
1 Samuel 3:13 RTFor I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves Tvile, and he Trestrained them not.
1 Samuel 3:14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that Rthe iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
1 Samuel 3:15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and Ropened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
1 Samuel 3:16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
1 Samuel 3:17 And he said, What is Tthe thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? RI pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and Tmore also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
1 Samuel 3:18 And Samuel told him Tevery whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, RIt is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.
1 Samuel 3:19 And Samuel Rgrew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
1 Samuel 3:20 And all Israel from RDan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was Testablished to be a prophet of the LORD.
1 Samuel 3:21 And the LORD Rappeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 3:1–10 — Samuel learns to answer the call
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Revelation is rare when the LORD calls Samuel at night. Samuel repeatedly goes to Eli, who eventually recognizes the caller and teaches him how to respond. Listening begins with a readiness to receive God's word.
Key Truth: Samuel's response expresses the posture of a servant ready to hear.
Check What You Remember
1. Whom did Samuel first think was calling? (1 Samuel 3:5)
Find it in 1 Samuel 3:5 (KJV).
2. After which call did Eli recognize the LORD's calling? (1 Samuel 3:8)
Find it in 1 Samuel 3:8 (KJV).
3. What did Samuel say his servant was doing? (1 Samuel 3:10)
Find it in 1 Samuel 3:10 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 3:11–14 — A message of judgment
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The LORD tells Samuel that judgment on Eli's household will fulfill the earlier warning. Eli knew his sons' iniquity and failed to restrain them. The message is grave, but Samuel's prophetic calling requires receiving difficult truth as well as comfort.
Key Truth: Knowledge of wrongdoing carries responsibility to address it.
Check What You Remember
1. Whose household was under judgment? (1 Samuel 3:12)
Find it in 1 Samuel 3:12 (KJV).
2. Who had made themselves vile? (1 Samuel 3:13)
Find it in 1 Samuel 3:13 (KJV).
3. What had Eli failed to do to them? (1 Samuel 3:13)
Find it in 1 Samuel 3:13 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 3:15–21 — Samuel tells the whole message
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Samuel fears telling Eli, but withholds nothing when asked. The LORD is with him, and all Israel recognizes him as a prophet. The chapter closes with the LORD revealing himself by his word at Shiloh.
Key Truth: Faithful testimony includes truth the messenger finds difficult to speak.
Check What You Remember
1. What did Samuel open in the morning? (1 Samuel 3:15)
Find it in 1 Samuel 3:15 (KJV).
2. What did Samuel hide from Eli? (1 Samuel 3:18)
Find it in 1 Samuel 3:18 (KJV).
3. Where did the LORD reveal himself by his word? (1 Samuel 3:21)
Find it in 1 Samuel 3:21 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
1 Samuel 2:34 — Samuel's message follows the earlier warning concerning Eli's sons.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What makes Samuel's honesty in verse 18 difficult, and what does the chapter say about the source of his authority?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How is the spiritual setting described before Samuel’s call?
2. What explains Samuel’s initial failure to identify the caller?
3. What makes the judgment against Eli’s house a matter of known responsibility?
4. What contrast appears between Samuel’s fear and his final report to Eli?
5. How was Samuel’s prophetic standing recognized across Israel?
Notes
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