1 Samuel 3 9

1 Samuel 3:9 kjv

Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

1 Samuel 3:9 nkjv

Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, 'Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

1 Samuel 3:9 niv

So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'?" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

1 Samuel 3:9 esv

Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

1 Samuel 3:9 nlt

So he said to Samuel, "Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, 'Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went back to bed.

1 Samuel 3 verses

1 Samuel 3 9 Meaning

In this pivotal moment, Eli instructs young Samuel how to properly respond to the divine voice that has been calling him. The core instruction is for Samuel to acknowledge God (LORD) and declare himself a ready, attentive servant prepared to hear and obey God's spoken word. It signifies Samuel's shift from being a passively called child to an actively receptive servant ready for prophetic revelation.

1 Samuel 3 9 Context

1 Samuel chapter 3 marks a pivotal turning point in Israel's history and in the life of Samuel. Up to this point, Samuel serves in the tabernacle under the aging High Priest Eli, whose sons, Hophni and Phinehas, have gravely dishonored the LORD through their wickedness. God has effectively ceased to speak to Eli or his corrupt lineage. This silence is noted earlier in 1 Sam 3:1, indicating a scarcity of direct divine revelation. Samuel, though young, is a pure vessel through whom God chooses to re-establish direct communication with His people. God calls Samuel three times in the night, and Samuel, not yet knowing the voice of the LORD, mistakenly attributes it to Eli. It is Eli, despite his own spiritual dimness regarding his sons, who recognizes that the LORD is speaking to the boy. He then gives Samuel the crucial instruction found in verse 9, preparing Samuel to correctly respond to the next divine summons and thus receive God's word. This event transitions leadership from Eli's failed house to Samuel, establishing him as Israel's true prophet. Historically and culturally, prophecy was essential for God to communicate His will, especially in the absence of a reigning king; thus, Samuel's emergence was vital for national direction and spiritual integrity. In contrast to silent, lifeless idols of surrounding pagan nations, Israel's God speaks, demands a hearing heart, and raises up His chosen vessels for direct communication.

1 Samuel 3 9 Word analysis

• Therefore (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyomer): Literally "and he said," linking Eli's instruction directly to his realization that it was God calling Samuel. It shows cause and effect, as Eli understood the divine nature of the calls.

• Eli said (אֵלָיו - elayv): "to him" (Samuel). Highlights Eli's role as a mentor in this crucial moment, despite his own spiritual failures concerning his sons. He recognizes God's action.

• to Samuel (שְׁמוּאֵל - Shemu'el): Emphasizes the direct recipient. Samuel, whose name means "Heard by God" or "Name of God," now actively learns to hear God himself.

• Go, lie down (לֵךְ שְׁכַב - lekh shekhav): A direct, imperative command from Eli, instructing Samuel to return to his place of rest and quiet waiting. It implies a posture of availability.

• and it shall be (וְהָיָה - vehayah): Signifies a conditional but certain outcome, "and it will be the case." It introduces the precise situation that requires the instructed response.

• if he calls you (אִם יִקְרָא אֵלֶיךָ - im yiqra eleykha): This condition clause pinpoints the specific divine action that necessitates Samuel's prepared answer. "Yiqra" means "he will call" or "he calls," stressing continued divine initiative.

• that you shall say (וְאָמַרְתָּ - ve'amarta): Another imperative, commanding Samuel to speak forth the specific words Eli provides. It's a proactive verbal response.

• “Speak, LORD (דַּבֵּר יְהוָה - dabber YHVH): This is the core of the required response.

  • דַּבֵּר (dabber): An imperative from the root "dabar" meaning "to speak, arrange, declare." It's not a mere sound but a request for a complete, coherent message, conveying full communication.
  • יְהוָה (YHVH): The Tetragrammaton, the personal, covenant name of God (Yahweh). Samuel is taught to address God by His most sacred and relational name, acknowledging His sovereign authority and covenant faithfulness.

• for your servant hears” (כִּי שֹׁמֵעַ עַבְדֶּךָ - ki shome'a avdekha):

  • כִּי (ki): Can mean "for," "because," "indeed," explaining the reason for the invitation to speak: Samuel is ready to listen.
  • שֹׁמֵעַ (shome'a): A present participle, "is hearing" or "is listening," indicating an ongoing, active state of attentiveness and readiness, not just a past event. It implies more than merely perceiving sound; it means to understand and to obey.
  • עַבְדֶּךָ (avdekha): "your servant." This term highlights Samuel's humility, submission, and readiness for service and obedience to his divine Master. It denotes a bond of trust and loyalty.

• So Samuel went and lay down in his place (וַיֵּלֶךְ שְׁמוּאֵל וַיִּשְׁכַּב בִּמְקוֹמוֹ - vayyelekh Shemu'el vayyishkav bimqomo): Shows immediate, simple obedience to Eli's instructions. This prompt action prepares Samuel for the decisive encounter.

• "Go, lie down; and it shall be...": This phrase initiates a moment of quiet expectancy. It emphasizes setting oneself apart, readying the mind and spirit for divine engagement. It moves from passive receptivity to active waiting.

• "...if he calls you, that you shall say...": This clarifies the condition for Samuel's response and highlights the specific verbal formulation. It emphasizes discernment and proper addressing of God. Eli's wisdom here prevents Samuel from answering simply "Who is it?" and helps him move towards active submission.

• "Speak, LORD, for your servant hears": This statement encapsulates humility, availability, and a desire for divine instruction.

  • "Speak, LORD": An invitation for God to declare His will authoritatively and personally. It demonstrates respect and desire for direct revelation from the covenant God of Israel, contrasting sharply with the silence of idols or the perceived distance of an abstract deity. This directly sets up a communicative relationship between the Divine and His chosen vessel.
  • "for your servant hears": This phrase implies an immediate and active listening, encompassing readiness not just to hear but to understand and obey. It frames the relationship as one of Master and servant, where the servant's primary duty is obedient hearing. It suggests a receptive heart and an understanding that the spoken word carries authority and requires action. It stands as a model for all believers' posture before God's word.

1 Samuel 3 9 Bonus section

• This verse marks a significant transition from an era of infrequent divine revelation, as noted in 1 Sam 3:1, to a time of clear prophetic voice through Samuel. God breaks the silence by choosing a pure vessel.
• The contrast between Samuel's humble and eager "your servant hears" and Eli's sons' rebellion and disregard for the LORD's commands (1 Sam 2:12-17, 22-25) is stark. Samuel's response embodies the exact opposite of their attitude, preparing him for the righteous path God desires for His leaders.
• Eli's ability to discern that it was the LORD calling Samuel, even in his own spiritual dimness regarding his family, shows that discernment is still a gift available, and that even imperfect mentors can guide others to hear God. It underscores God's faithfulness even when His chosen instruments falter.
• The emphasis on "hearing" (שֹׁמֵעַ) in the Old Testament is profound. It implies not just audibly perceiving, but attentively understanding, internalizing, and ultimately obeying (e.g., Deut 6:4, "Hear, O Israel!"). Samuel's declaration sets him up as one who will "hear and obey."
• This instruction models active waiting. It's not passive sleeping but going back to a state of readiness with a prepared answer, expecting the next move of God.
• This verse introduces the profound theme of the voice of God—personal, direct, and authoritative—which stands in stark contrast to the mute and unhearing idols of surrounding pagan religions. Yahweh is the God who speaks and desires relationship.

1 Samuel 3 9 Commentary

1 Samuel 3:9 is the crucial hinge upon which Samuel's prophetic calling truly begins, shifting from merely hearing sounds to consciously engaging with the Almighty. Eli, despite his moral failings, acts as an unexpected spiritual mentor, demonstrating the continued priestly role of facilitating divine communication, even for a younger successor. His instruction equips Samuel not just to identify the caller as the LORD, but to assume the appropriate posture of a humble, eager servant. The specific phrase, "Speak, LORD, for your servant hears," becomes a timeless paradigm for receiving divine revelation. "Speak, LORD," is an invitation, acknowledging God's sovereignty and desire to communicate. "For your servant hears" signals an open ear, a humble heart, and a ready will to obey whatever God chooses to reveal. This act of active, humble listening is foundational for all ministry and spiritual growth, enabling God's voice to break through and His will to be discerned and acted upon. This moment foreshadows Samuel's lifelong role as a prophet who hears and conveys God's word accurately, laying the groundwork for Israel's transition to a monarchy and subsequent prophetic tradition.