Study notes

1 Samuel 3

Introducing 1 SamuelWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

2:12–7:17 Section

Eli’s sons did evil things as priests and Eli didn’t stop them. Samuel acted differently than they did. Samuel wasn’t in the family line of Aaron. But he served God faithfully like priests were supposed to.

The first message that Samuel shared as a prophet was against Eli and his sons. The prophecy came true after a battle between the people of Israel and the Philistines. The Israelites wanted God to protect them and to help them win the battle. They used the ark of the covenant to try and force God to do this. But they weren’t obeying God or trusting him to save them. This was very different from how the ark was used in the battle against Jericho (Joshua 6:1–14).

Eli’s sons were killed in the battle with the Philistines. Eli died when he heard that the Philistines captured the ark of the covenant. The Philistines suffered a plague because they had taken the ark. The plague was God’s judgement against them. It showed them that God was more powerful than their false gods.

When the ark was returned to Israel, Samuel served the Israelites as their leader. He was the last one to lead like the 12 judges had led. He helped the Israelites turn back to God. They stopped worshipping false gods and instead worshipped only God. This showed that they were being faithful to the Mount Sinai covenant. Then God saved them from their enemies. This was one of the covenant blessings.

3:1

the word of the LORD was rare, and visions were scarce: God was not revealing his will through prophets or priests. This means that God was not regularly speaking to his people or giving them guidance.

However, this time of spiritual darkness was about to end when God began to communicate with Samuel (1 Samuel 3:2–4:1a).

3:2

Eli could barely see, both with his eyes and in his faith (1 Samuel 3:1).

3:3

  • The priests had to keep God's lamp burning all night (Exodus 27:20–21; 30:7–8).

  • Samuel sleeping near the ark shows his closeness to God's presence and purpose, unlike Eli and his sons.

3:7

Samuel did not yet know the LORD: This was because he had no direct experience with the Lord. In contrast, Eli's sons did not know the Lord because they were morally and spiritually lacking (see study note on 1 Samuel 2:12).

3:8

Eli realized: Even with his flaws, Eli still had some spiritual insight.

3:11

something in Israel at which the ears of all who hear it will tingle: This phrase shows how serious God's judgment is. God's actions would also have a major impact on Israel as a nation (see 2 Kings 21:12; Jeremiah 19:3).

3:13

  • because his sons blasphemed God: They showed contempt for God through their actions.

  • he did not restrain them: Eli scolded his sons (1 Samuel 2:23–25), but he did not stop them.

3:14

Blood sacrifices and offerings would not be accepted for Eli and his sons. The offerings in Leviticus 4–5 were for accidental or unintentional sins. But Eli and his sons sinned on purpose and rebelliously.

3:15

Samuel was scared to tell Eli about God's plans for him and his family. He either respected Eli's position or feared for his own safety.

3:20

  • The entire nation, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, recognized Samuel as God's prophet.

  • confirmed as a prophet: Samuel's reliable messages (1 Samuel 3:19) showed that God spoke through him.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources