1 samuel 3:5 - He ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” He said, “I didn’t call. Lie down again.” He went and lay down.

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 3:5

What does "1 samuel 3:5" mean?


This verse from 1 Samuel 3:5 describes the young Samuel, who is living in the temple and serving Eli, the high priest, repeatedly hearing a voice calling his name. He believes it's Eli calling him, so he runs to Eli each time. Eli, who is old and his eyesight is failing (as indicated earlier in the chapter), insists he didn't call Samuel and tells him to go back to bed.

Here's a breakdown of the meaning and significance:

"He ran to Eli, and said, 'Here I am; for you called me.'" This shows Samuel's obedience and eagerness to serve Eli. He immediately responds to what he perceives as a summons. His "Here I am" is a traditional response of someone ready to serve or obey a superior.

"He said, 'I didn't call. Lie down again.'" Eli, being old and spiritually dull at this point in the story, doesn't recognize the voice or the supernatural nature of the call. He dismisses Samuel's concern and tells him to go back to sleep. This highlights Eli's spiritual blindness. He is the high priest, but he fails to discern the voice of God.

"He went and lay down." This demonstrates Samuel's innocence and trust in Eli's authority. He readily obeys Eli, not questioning his decision. This also shows Samuel's lack of understanding of what is happening. He is a child, learning and growing, and hasn't yet learned to recognize the voice of God.

The overall meaning and significance of this verse in the context of the chapter:

Establishment of Samuel as a Prophet: This passage is the beginning of God's calling to Samuel to be a prophet. The repeated calls serve to get Samuel's attention and to initiate a direct relationship between him and God, bypassing Eli.
Eli's Spiritual Declension: It underscores the spiritual decline of Eli and his household. He is unable to recognize the voice of God and is, in a sense, being replaced by Samuel.
Foreshadowing of Judgment: The calling of Samuel foreshadows the coming judgment on Eli's house, which is later revealed in the chapter. God is raising up a new leader to replace Eli and his sons because of their wickedness.
Theme of Divine Communication: The story highlights the importance of being open to and discerning the voice of God. It shows that God sometimes speaks in unexpected ways and that we need spiritual sensitivity to hear Him.

In essence, this verse is a crucial setup for the rest of the chapter, introducing the central themes of divine calling, spiritual discernment, and the transition of leadership from Eli to Samuel. It highlights the importance of recognizing and responding to God's voice, even when it comes in unexpected ways.

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