1 Samuel 3 1

1 Samuel 3:1 kjv

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.

1 Samuel 3:1 nkjv

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.

1 Samuel 3:1 niv

The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.

1 Samuel 3:1 esv

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.

1 Samuel 3:1 nlt

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.

1 Samuel 3 verses

1 Samuel 3 1 Meaning

1 Samuel 3:1 describes a pivotal moment in Israel's spiritual history, portraying a time of severe spiritual desolation marked by a conspicuous absence of divine revelation. In stark contrast to this prevailing spiritual drought, the young Samuel faithfully ministered in the tabernacle before Eli. The verse highlights that direct communication from the LORD, in the form of prophetic words or clear visions, was an exceedingly rare and precious occurrence in that era.

1 Samuel 3 1 Context

1 Samuel 3:1 serves as a stark introduction to a transformative period in Israel's history. This verse is situated in the broader narrative of the book of Judges, which ends with the refrain "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judg 21:25). Spiritually, the era was characterized by widespread apostasy, moral decay, and a severe lack of centralized, faithful religious leadership. The high priest Eli, though holding a position of authority, was depicted as largely ineffective and negligent, particularly regarding his wicked sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who defiled the Tabernacle service (1 Sam 2:12-17, 22).

Within this desolate spiritual landscape, Samuel stands out as a beacon of faithfulness, having been dedicated to the LORD by his mother Hannah and serving in the Tabernacle from a young age (1 Sam 1:28). The immediate context of chapter 2 describes the pervasive corruption of Eli's sons, the warning of judgment pronounced against Eli's house by a "man of God," and a contrasting oracle about a "faithful priest" who would arise. Chapter 3 begins by emphasizing the spiritual condition of the nation as a whole – a rarity of God's active voice – thus setting the stage for Samuel's extraordinary calling, which would break this silence and inaugurate a new era of prophetic activity, ultimately leading to the establishment of the monarchy. Historically, this period reflects the decline of the Tabernacle as the center of authentic worship and the growing need for direct divine intervention.

1 Samuel 3 1 Word analysis

• Now the boy Samuel:

  • Now: wāw consecutive; indicates continuity but also a significant shift or focus in the narrative, directing attention to Samuel's state and surroundings.
  • the boy: Hebrew naʿar (נַעַר). This term signifies a youth, ranging from an infant to a young adult, often implying a servant or attendant role. Samuel's young age here emphasizes the uniqueness of his service and the profound dedication from his parents. It highlights God's choice of someone seemingly unlikely.
  • Samuel: The central figure, his name meaning "Heard by God" or "Name of God," fitting for one through whom God's voice will once again be heard. His singular faithfulness contrasts with the spiritual decline around him.

• ministered to the LORD:

  • ministered: Hebrew məšārat (מְשָׁרֵת), derived from šārat (שָׁרַת). This verb denotes active service, specifically religious or official attendance, like that of a priest or an attendant in the temple. It signifies devout and devoted worship, beyond merely assisting Eli. This highlights Samuel's personal commitment directly "to the LORD."
  • to the LORD: Hebrew la-YHWH (לַיהוה). Specifies that Samuel's service was directly rendered to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This underlines the pure and proper object of his ministry, distinguishing it from mere human obligation or the corrupted practices of Eli's sons.

• before Eli:

  • before: Implies in the presence, under the supervision, or even under the general authority of Eli. Samuel's service was outwardly performed within the existing religious structure, even if that structure was deeply flawed due to Eli's negligence. This sets up the dramatic contrast later between God speaking directly to Samuel, bypassing Eli.

• And the word of the LORD:

  • And: Hebrew wə (וְ), connecting Samuel's service to the broader spiritual context.
  • the word: Hebrew dāḇār (דָּבָר). This is a foundational theological term referring to God's communicative act, His utterance, decree, or revelation. It signifies concrete and authoritative divine speech, often carrying prophetic power. It refers to a living, active revelation, not just a static text.

• was rare in those days:

  • was rare: Hebrew yāqār (יָקָר). This term means "precious," "costly," or "difficult to find," implying a scarcity that makes something highly valued. It's not merely that it was infrequent, but that its absence created a profound spiritual lack, making any future occurrence extraordinarily significant. This highlights a spiritual famine.
  • in those days: Points to a specific historical period within Israel marked by spiritual decline. It underlines the spiritual exceptionalism of Samuel's future calling.

• there was no widespread revelation:

  • there was no widespread revelation: Hebrew ên ḥāzôn niṣrāṭ (אֵין חָזוֹן נִפְרָץ).
    • no widespread: The negative particle ên (אֵין) coupled with niṣrāṭ (נִפְרָץ). Niṣrāṭ comes from the root pāraṣ (פָּרַץ), meaning "to break out, break forth, spread abroad." Thus, it indicates that divine visions were not "breaking forth" or widely available and recognized. It implies a complete lack of common prophetic experience, not just specific or rare instances.
    • revelation: Hebrew ḥāzôn (חָזוֹן). This term specifically denotes a "vision" or "revelation," typically a direct prophetic insight or divine manifestation seen or experienced. It implies that God was not visibly or audibly manifesting His will through prophets to the people.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli.": This opening clause immediately establishes a contrast. Samuel, though young and under human authority (Eli), is genuinely serving God, standing out against the general spiritual apathy and corruption detailed in chapter 2. His service points to devotion, diligence, and obedience at a time when such qualities were severely lacking among the religious leadership.
• "And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.": This second clause diagnoses the spiritual malady of the time. The rarity of God's active voice (dāḇār) and the absence of clear, public divine visions (ḥāzôn) underscore a period of spiritual famine. God seemed silent, withdrawing direct communication, possibly as a consequence of the nation's and its leadership's unfaithfulness. This spiritual emptiness serves as a stark background against which God's subsequent calling of Samuel becomes even more striking and impactful, signifying a divine initiative to break through the silence.

1 Samuel 3 1 Bonus section

• This verse indirectly sets up a polemic against pagan practices where "oracles" or "divination" might have been common but lacked divine authenticity or lasting impact. In contrast, the absence of Yahweh's word signifies true spiritual destitution, emphasizing that genuine revelation comes solely from the LORD.
• The spiritual silence reflects a time of judicial judgment where God withheld His voice from a disobedient people and their corrupt leaders, rather than a lack of God's power or willingness to speak. His silence was a part of His judgment, preparing the way for a more impactful revelation.
• The detail of Samuel ministering before Eli while the Word was rare suggests that outward religious form (presence of Tabernacle, Eli's office) did not guarantee true spiritual life or access to God's presence and voice. True spiritual vitality hinged on direct, active revelation from God, not just human ritual or priestly lineage.

1 Samuel 3 1 Commentary

1 Samuel 3:1 is a profoundly significant verse that sets the stage for God's renewed active involvement in Israel through His chosen prophet, Samuel. It presents a grim picture of spiritual desolation, describing a time when divine communication, specifically the "word of the LORD" and "widespread revelation" (vision), was almost non-existent. The phrase "was rare" suggests that divine revelation was not merely infrequent but precious and inaccessible, indicative of a spiritual famine throughout the land. This silence from God was a direct consequence of Israel's widespread apostasy and, notably, the spiritual corruption of its leadership, especially Eli's sons.

Yet, within this pervasive darkness, a flickering light existed in "the boy Samuel," who faithfully "ministered to the LORD before Eli." This serves as a critical counterpoint, highlighting individual devotion even amidst institutional decay. God, in His sovereignty, does not remain perpetually silent. His breaking of this silence through the unlikely vessel of a young boy, as detailed in the following verses, signals a new era. The profound spiritual hunger resulting from the rarity of His word underscores the impact of His future revelation, setting the expectation for its authority and transformative power. The spiritual decline of Eli's house necessitated a divine intervention, and Samuel, serving diligently, was uniquely positioned to receive the very word that had become so precious and elusive to the nation.