1 Samuel 3:15 Study Bible: And Samuel lay there until the morning, and in the morning he got up and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision.

◄ 1 Samuel 3:15 ►

Samuel lay down until the morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision,

Study Bible

Samuel lay down until the morning
The phrase begins with "Samuel," a name meaning "heard by God" in Hebrew, which is fitting given his role as a prophet who hears God's voice. The act of "laying down" signifies rest and obedience, as Samuel returns to his place after receiving a divine message. This moment reflects a period of contemplation and preparation, as Samuel processes the weight of the revelation he has received. The "morning" symbolizes a new beginning, both literally and spiritually, as light dawns on the message he must deliver.

then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD
The action of "opening the doors" is significant, as it represents Samuel's role in facilitating access to the presence of God. The "house of the LORD" refers to the tabernacle at Shiloh, the central place of worship for Israel at the time. This act of opening the doors is both literal and symbolic, indicating Samuel's emerging role as a leader who will guide Israel in their relationship with God. It also signifies transparency and readiness to serve, as Samuel steps into his responsibilities.

He was afraid to tell Eli the vision
The phrase "He was afraid" captures the human element of fear and reverence in the face of delivering a difficult message. Samuel's fear is understandable, given Eli's position as the high priest and his mentor. The "vision" refers to the divine revelation Samuel received, which contained a message of judgment against Eli's household. This moment highlights the tension between divine duty and personal relationships, as Samuel grapples with the challenge of speaking truth to power. It underscores the prophetic calling to deliver God's message faithfully, regardless of personal cost.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Samuel
A young boy serving in the temple under Eli, chosen by God to be a prophet. His experience of hearing God's voice marks a significant moment in his life and the history of Israel.

2. Eli
The high priest and judge of Israel, under whose guidance Samuel serves. Eli's family is under God's judgment due to the sins of his sons, Hophni and Phinehas.

3. The House of the LORD
Refers to the tabernacle at Shiloh, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept and where Samuel served.

4. The Vision
The message from God that Samuel received, which was a prophecy of judgment against Eli's household.

5. Shiloh
The location of the tabernacle during this period, serving as the religious center of Israel.

Teaching Points

Hearing God's Voice
Samuel's experience teaches us the importance of being attentive to God's voice, even when it brings challenging messages.

Courage in Delivering God's Message
Samuel's fear highlights the difficulty of delivering hard truths, yet it is essential to prioritize God's commands over personal fears.

Faithfulness in Service
Despite his youth, Samuel's dedication to his duties in the temple sets an example of faithfulness in serving God.

The Weight of Spiritual Leadership
Eli's situation serves as a warning about the responsibilities and consequences of spiritual leadership.

God's Sovereignty and Judgment
The prophecy against Eli's house reminds us of God's sovereignty and the certainty of His judgment against sin.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Samuel's response to God's call challenge us in our own spiritual walk and attentiveness to God's voice?

2. In what ways can we find the courage to deliver difficult truths, as Samuel was called to do with Eli?

3. How does the setting of the tabernacle at Shiloh enhance our understanding of the significance of Samuel's experience?

4. What lessons can we learn from Eli's failure to restrain his sons, and how can we apply these lessons to our own roles in leadership or parenting?

5. How do the themes of God's judgment and mercy in 1 Samuel 3:15 connect with the broader account of God's dealings with His people throughout the Bible?

Connections to Other Scriptures

1 Samuel 2:27-36
Provides context for the judgment against Eli's house, which Samuel is afraid to convey.

Exodus 33:9-11
Highlights the importance of the tabernacle as a place where God communicates with His people, similar to how He spoke to Samuel.

Hebrews 1:1-2
Discusses how God spoke to His people through prophets in the past, connecting to Samuel's role as a prophet.

Proverbs 29:25
Relates to Samuel's fear of telling Eli the vision, emphasizing the importance of fearing God over man.

Acts 5:29
Encourages believers to obey God rather than human authority, relevant to Samuel's situation.

Sermons

Humble Service	Christian Endeavour Times	1 Samuel 3:15
The Doors of the Tabernacle	A. Willett.	1 Samuel 3:15
Samuel's Call to the Prophetic Office	B. Dale	1 Samuel 3:1-18
The Old Priest and the Child Prophet	D. Fraser	1 Samuel 3:1-18
Causes of Eli's Overthrow	J. Parker, D. D.	1 Samuel 3:11-16
The Causes of Eli's Overthrow	J. Parker, D. D.	1 Samuel 3:11-16

People

Dan, Eli, Samuel

Places

Beersheba, Dan, Shiloh

Topics

Account, Afraid, Declare, Declaring, Doors, Eli, Fear, Feared, Giving, Kept, Lay, Lieth, Morning, Moving, Opened, Openeth, Opening, Samuel, Till, Vision

Dictionary of Bible Themes

1 Samuel 3:15

1466 vision
8754 fear

1 Samuel 3:1-21

5686 fathers, examples

Library

Divine Calls.
"And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel; Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for Thy servant heareth."--1 Samuel iii. 10. In the narrative of which these words form part, we have a remarkable instance of a Divine call, and the manner in which it is our duty to meet it. Samuel was from a child brought to the house of the Lord; and in due time he was called to a sacred office, and made a prophet. He was called, and he forthwith answered the call. God said, "Samuel, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

A Private Enquiry
"What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee?"--1 Samuel 3:17. THE Lord would not speak directly to Eli, although he was the High Priest. In ordinary circumstances it would have been so; but Eli had grieved the Lord, and thus had lost his honorable standing. God had not cast him off; but he viewed him with such displeasure that he would only speak to him through another person: even as great kings, if they are offended with their courtiers, send them messages by other hands. The Lord sent, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

What the Truth Saith Inwardly Without Noise of Words
Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.(1) I am Thy servant; O give me understanding that I may know Thy testimonies. Incline my heart unto the words of Thy mouth.(2) Let thy speech distil as the dew. The children of Israel spake in old time to Moses, Speak thou unto us and we will hear, but let not the Lord speak unto us lest we die.(3) Not thus, O Lord, not thus do I pray, but rather with Samuel the prophet, I beseech Thee humbly and earnestly, Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth. Let not Moses …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Samuel, the Little Server
It was some years after Ruth's son had been born in Bethlehem that another mother was made glad by the precious gift of a little son. This mother's name was Hannah, and her baby was a special joy to her because she had so longed to have a son and had prayed so earnestly to God for this great gift. There was no doubt about the baby's name. He was called "Samuel," which means "God has heard." [Illustration: "Samuel answered, Speak; for Thy servant heareth." 1 Sam. iii. 10.] For had not God listened …
Amy Steedman—The Babe in the Bulrushes

By Collating Similar Passages with 1 Sam. ...
By collating similar passages with 1 Sam. iii. 25, St. Ambrose shows that the meaning is not that no one shall intercede, but that the intercessor must be worthy as were Moses and Jeremiah, at whose prayers we read that God spared Israel. 40. But you say, It is written: "If a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him?" [2968] First of all, as I already said before, I might allow you to make that objection if you refused penance to those only who denied the faith. But what difficulty does …
St. Ambrose—Works and Letters of St. Ambrose

Letter Xlvi (Circa A. D. 1125) to Guigues, the Prior, and to the Other Monks of the Grand Chartreuse
To Guigues, the Prior, And to the Other Monks of the Grand Chartreuse He discourses much and piously of the law of true and sincere charity, of its signs, its degrees, its effects, and of its perfection which is reserved for Heaven (Patria). Brother Bernard, of Clairvaux, wishes health eternal to the most reverend among fathers, and to the dearest among friends, Guigues, Prior of the Grande Chartreuse, and to the holy Monks who are with him. 1. I have received the letter of your Holiness as joyfully …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Being Made Archbishop of Armagh, He Suffers Many Troubles. Peace Being Made, from Being Archbishop of Armagh He Becomes Bishop of Down.
[Sidenote: 1129] 19. (12). Meanwhile[365] it happened that Archbishop Cellach[366] fell sick: he it was who ordained Malachy deacon, presbyter and bishop: and knowing that he was dying he made a sort of testament[367] to the effect that Malachy ought to succeed him,[368] because none seemed worthier to be bishop of the first see. This he gave in charge to those who were present, this he commanded to the absent, this to the two kings of Munster[369] and to the magnates of the land he specially enjoined …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Faithlessness and Defeat
'And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. 2. And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men. 3. And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us today before the Philistines? …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christian Meekness
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5 We are now got to the third step leading in the way to blessedness, Christian meekness. Blessed are the meek'. See how the Spirit of God adorns the hidden man of the heart, with multiplicity of graces! The workmanship of the Holy Ghost is not only curious, but various. It makes the heart meek, pure, peaceable etc. The graces therefore are compared to needlework, which is different and various in its flowers and colours (Psalm 45:14). …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Our Attitude Toward his Sovereignty
"Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in Thy sight" (Matt. 11:26). In the present chapter we shall consider, somewhat briefly, the practical application to ourselves of the great truth which we have pondered in its various ramifications in earlier pages. In chapter twelve we shall deal more in detail with the value of this doctrine but here we would confine ourselves to a definition of what ought to be our attitude toward the Sovereignty of God. Every truth that is revealed to us in God's Word …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
OR, THE EXCELLENCY OF A BROKEN HEART: SHOWING THE NATURE, SIGNS, AND PROPER EFFECTS OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT. BEING THE LAST WORKS OF THAT EMINENT PREACHER AND FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, MR. JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. WITH A PREFACE PREFIXED THEREUNTO BY AN EMINENT MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN LONDON. London: Sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgates, 1692. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The very excellent preface to this treatise, written by George Cokayn, will inform the reader of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Effectual Calling
'Them he also called.' Rom 8:80. Q-xxxi: WHAT IS EFFECTUAL CALLING? A: It is a gracious work of the Spirit, whereby he causes us to embrace Christ freely, as he is offered to us in the gospel. In this verse is the golden chain of salvation, made up of four links, of which one is vocation. Them he also called.' Calling is nova creatio, a new creation,' the first resurrection. There is a two-fold call: (1.) An outward call: (2.) An inward call. (1.) An outward call, which is God's offer of grace to …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Thoughts Upon Self-Denyal.
THE most glorious Sight questionless that was ever to be seen upon the face of the Earth, was to see the Son of God here, to see the supreme Being and Governour of the World here; to see the Creator of all things conversing here with his own Creatures; to see God himself with the nature, and in the shape of Man; walking about upon the surface of the Earth, and discoursing with silly Mortals here; and that with so much Majesty and Humility mixed together, that every expression might seem a demonstration …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life

Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
Ver. 1. "And it shall come to pass, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." The communication of the Spirit of God was the constant prerogative of the Covenant-people. Indeed, the very idea of such a people necessarily requires it. For the Spirit of God is the only inward bond betwixt Him and that which is created; a Covenant-people, therefore, without such an inward …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Christian's Book
Scripture references 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 2 Samuel 23:2; Luke 1:70; 24:32,45; John 2:22; 10:35; 19:36; Acts 1:16; Romans 1:1,2; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; James 2:8. WHAT IS THE BIBLE? What is the Bible? How shall we regard it? Where shall we place it? These and many questions like them at once come to the front when we begin to discuss the Bible as a book. It is only possible in this brief study, of a great subject, to indicate the line of some of the answers. …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were Wrought in It.
[Sidenote: 1139] 33. (20). It seemed to him, however, that one could not go on doing these things with sufficient security without the authority of the Apostolic See; and for that reason he determined to set out for Rome, and most of all because the metropolitan see still lacked, and from the beginning had lacked, the use of the pall, which is the fullness of honour.[507] And it seemed good in his eyes[508] that the church for which he had laboured so much[509] should acquire, by his zeal and labour, …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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