1 Samuel 3
Geneva Study Bible
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.
And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD {a} before Eli. And the word of the LORD was {b} precious in those days; there was no open vision.

(a) The Chaldee text reads while Eli lived.

(b) Because there were very few prophets to declare it.

And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his {c} place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;

(c) In the court next to the tabernacle.

And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
And ere the {d} lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

(d) That is, the lamps which burnt in the night.

That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
That the LORD {e} called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

(e) Josephus writes that Samuel was 12 years old when the Lord appeared to him.

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.
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.
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.
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.
Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
Now Samuel did not yet know {f} the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.

(f) By vision.

And the LORD called Samuel again the 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.
And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli {g} perceived that the LORD had called the child.

(g) Such was the corruption of those times that the chief priest had become dull and negligent to understand the Lord's appearing.

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.
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.
And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall {h} tingle.

(h) God declares that sudden fear will come on men when they hear that the ark is taken, and see Eli's house destroyed.

In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for {i} ever.

(i) Meaning that his posterity would never enjoy the chief priests office.

And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to show Eli the vision.
Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God {k} do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.

(k) God punish you after this and that sort, unless you tell me the truth, Ru 1:17.

And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.
And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.
And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words {l} fall to the ground.

(l) The Lord accomplished whatever he had said.

And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.
And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.
And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599]

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