---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse 1 Samuel 3:1. Samuel ministered unto the Lord — He performed minor services in the tabernacle, under the direction of Eli, such as opening the doors"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/1-samuel/3"
---

Verse [1 Samuel 3:1](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/1). ***Samuel ministered unto the Lord*** — He performed minor services in the tabernacle, under the direction of Eli, such as *opening the doors*, c. See [1 Samuel 3:15](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/15).
***The word of the Lord was precious*** — There were but few revelations from God and because the word was *scarce*, therefore it was *valuable*. The author of this book probably lived at a time when prophecy was frequent, See the *preface*.
**There was*****no open vision.*** — There was no public accredited prophet; one with whom the secret of the Lord was known to dwell, and to whom all might have recourse in cases of doubt or public emergency.

Verse [1 Samuel 3:2](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/2). ***Eli was laid down in his place*** — It is very likely that as the ark was a long time at Shiloh, they had built near to it certain apartments for the high priest and others more immediately employed about the tabernacle. In one of these, near to that of Eli, perhaps under the same roof, Samuel lay when he was called by the Lord.

Verse [1 Samuel 3:3](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/3). ***Ere the lamp of God went out*** — Before sunrise; for it is likely that the lamps were extinguished before the rising of the sun. See [Exodus 27:21](../../../kjv/exodus/27/21); [Leviticus 24:3](../../../kjv/leviticus/24/3).

Verse [1 Samuel 3:4](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/4). ***The Lord called Samuel*** — The voice probably came from the holy place, near to which Eli and Samuel were both lying.

Verse [1 Samuel 3:7](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/7). ***Samuel did not yet know the Lord*** — He had not been accustomed to receive any revelation from him. He *knew* and *worshipped* the God of Israel; but he did not know him as communicating especial revelation of His will.

Verse [1 Samuel 3:9](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/9). ***Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth*** — This was the usual way in which the prophets spoke, when they had intimations that the Lord was about to make some especial revelation.

Verse [1 Samuel 3:10](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/10). ***The Lord cane, and stood*** — He heard the voice as if it was approaching nearer and nearer; till at last, from the sameness of the tone, he could imagine that it ceased to approach: and this is what appears to be represented under the notion of God *standing* and calling.

Verse [1 Samuel 3:11](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/11). ***The Lord said to Samuel*** — He probably saw nothing, and only heard the *voice*; for it was not likely that any extraordinary *representation* could have been made to the *eyes* of a person so young. He heard a *voice*, but saw no *similitude*.
***The ears - shall tingle.*** — It shall be a *piercing* word to all Israel; it shall astound them all; and, after having heard it, it will still continue to *resound* in their ears.

Verse [1 Samuel 3:12](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/12). ***I will perform - all things which I have spoken*** — That is, what He had declared by the prophet, whose message is related [1 Samuel 2:27](../../../kjv/1-samuel/2/27), &c.
***When I begin, I will also make an end.*** — I will not delay the execution of my purpose: when I begin, nothing shall deter me from bringing all my judgments to a conclusion.

Verse [1 Samuel 3:13](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/13). ***I will judge his house for ever*** — I will continue to execute judgments upon it till it is destroyed.
***His sons made themselves vile*** — See [1 Samuel 2:12-17](../../../kjv/1-samuel/2/12-17); [1 Samuel 2:22-25](../../../kjv/1-samuel/2/22-25).
***He restrained them not.*** — He did not use his parental and juridical authority to curb them, and prevent the disorders which they committed. See at the conclusion of the chapter ([1 Samuel 3:21](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/21) [[note](#c9.3.21)]).

Verse [1 Samuel 3:14](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/14). ***Shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering*** — That is, God was determined that they should be removed by a violent death. They had committed the *sin unto death*; and no *offering* or *sacrifice* could prevent this. What is spoken here relates to their *temporal death* only.

Verse [1 Samuel 3:15](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/15). ***Samuel feared to show Eli*** — He reverenced him as a father, and he feared to distress him by showing what the Lord had purposed to do. It does not appear that God had commanded Samuel to deliver this message: he, therefore, did not attempt it till adjured by Eli, [1 Samuel 3:17](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/17).

Verse [1 Samuel 3:17](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/17). ***God do so to thee, and more also*** — This was a very solemn adjuration: he suspected that God had threatened severe judgments, for he knew that his house was very criminal; and he wished to know what God had spoken. The words imply thus much: If thou do not tell me fully what God has threatened, may the same and greater curses fall on thyself.

Verse [1 Samuel 3:18](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/18). ***Samuel told him every whit*** — Our word *whit*, or *wid*, comes from the Anglo-Saxon [A.S.], which signifies *person, thing*, c. *every whit* is *every thing*. The Hebrew את כל הדברים et col haddebarim, "all these words."
***It*****is*****the Lord*** — He is *Sovereign*, and will do what he *pleases;* he is *righteous*, and will do nothing but what is *just*.
***Let him do what seemeth him good.*** — There is much of a godly submission, as well as a deep sense of his own unworthiness, found in these words. He also had sinned, so as to be punished with *temporal death*; but surely there is no evidence that the displeasure of the Lord against him was extended to a future state.

Verse [1 Samuel 3:19](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/19). ***Samuel grew*** — Increased to manhood.
***The Lord was with him*** — Teaching him, and filling him with grace and holiness.
***None of his words fall*** — Whatever prediction he uttered, God fulfilled it; and his counsels were received as coming from the Lord.

Verse [1 Samuel 3:20](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/20). ***All Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba*** — Through the whole extent of Palestine; Dan being at the *northern*, Beer-sheba at the *southern* extremity.
**Was*****established*****to be*****a prophet*** — The word נאמן *neeman*, which we translate *established*, signifies *faithful: The faithful* *Samuel was a prophet of the Lord*.

Verse [1 Samuel 3:21](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/21). ***The Lord appeared again*** — וישף יהוה להראה *vaiyoseph* *Yehovah leheraoh*, "And Jehovah *added* to appear; " that is, he continued to reveal himself to Samuel at Shiloh.
***By the word of the Lord.*** — By the *spirit* and *word of prophecy*.
IN this chapter we read again of the fearful consequences of a neglected religious education. Eli's sons were wicked: their father knew the Lord; but he neither taught his children, nor restrained them by his parental authority. I have already had occasion to remark, that were a proper line of conduct pursued in the education of children, how few *profligate* sons *and daughters*, and how few *broken-hearted* parents should we find! The neglect of early *religious education*, connected with a *wholesome* and *affectionate* restraint, is the ruin of millions. Many parents, to excuse their indolence and most criminal neglect, say, "We cannot give our children grace." What do they *mean* by this? That God, not *themselves*, is the author of the irregularities and viciousness of their children. They may shudder at this imputation: but when they reflect that they have not given them right precepts, have not brought them under firm and affectionate restraint; have not showed them, by their own spirit, temper, and conduct, how they should be regulated in theirs; when either the worship of God has not been established in their houses, or they have permitted their children, on the most trifling pretenses, to absent themselves from it; when all these things are considered, they will find that, speaking after the manner of men, it would have been a very extraordinary miracle indeed if the children had been found preferring a path in which they did not see their parents conscientiously tread. Let those parents who continue to excuse themselves by saying, "*We cannot give grace to our* *children*," lay their hand on their conscience, and say whether they ever knew an instance where God withheld *his* grace, while they were, in humble subserviency to him, performing *their* duty. The real state of the case is this: parents cannot do God's work, and God will not do *theirs*; but if they use the means, and *train* *up the child in the way he should go*, God will not withhold his blessing.
It is not parental *fondness*, nor parental *authority*, taken *separately*, that can produce this beneficial effect. A father may be as *fond* of his offspring as *Eli*, and his children be sons of Belial; he may be as *authoritative* as the *grand Turk*, and his children despise and plot rebellion against him. But let parental *authority* be tempered with *fatherly affection*; and let the rein of discipline be steadily held by this powerful but affectionate hand; and there shall the pleasure of God prosper; there will he give his blessing, even life for evermore. Many fine families have been *spoiled*, and many *ruined*, by the separate exercise of these two principles. Parental *affection*, when *alone*, infallibly degenerates into *foolish fondness*; and parental authority frequently degenerates into *brutal tyranny* when standing by *itself*. The first sort of parents will be *loved* without being respected; the second sort will be *dreaded*, without either *respect* or *esteem*. In the first case obedience is not *exacted*, and is therefore felt to be unnecessary, as offenses of great magnitude pass without punishment or reprehension: in the second case, rigid exaction renders obedience almost impossible; and the smallest delinquency is often punished with the extreme of torture, which, hardening the mind, renders duty a matter of perfect indifference.
Parents, lay these things to heart: remember Eli and his sons; remember the dismal end of both! Teach your children to fear God - use wholesome discipline - be determined - begin in time - mingle *severity* and *mercy* together in all your conduct - and earnestly pray to God to second your godly discipline with the power and grace of his Spirit.
*Education* is generally defined that series of means by which the human understanding is gradually enlightened, and the dispositions of the heart are corrected, formed, and brought forth, between early infancy and the period when a young person is considered as qualified to take a part in active life. Whole *nations* have been corrupted, enfeebled, and destroyed, through the want of proper education: through this multitudes of *families* have degenerated; and a countless number of *individuals* have come to an untimely end. Parents who neglect this, neglect the present and eternal interests of their offspring.

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