God’s direct call to Samuel reveals His care for His people and His desire to continue guiding them through chosen servants.
Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” (v.16) Eli, serving as a priest and judge in Israel around the late 11th century BC, summons the young boy Samuel, who was dedicated to the LORD by his mother, Hannah. This setting takes place in Shiloh, an ancient city in the hill country of Ephraim. Shiloh served as the central place of worship, where the tabernacle of the LORD was located for many years. Eli’s address “Samuel, my son,” suggests both a familial tone and a spiritual mentorship as Samuel serves under Eli’s guidance. Samuel’s obedient reply, “Here I am,” not only displays his willingness to respond immediately to authority, but also foreshadows his faithful readiness to hear God’s voice.
Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” (v.16) carries deeper meaning within the broader narrative of 1 Samuel 3, where God calls Samuel multiple times during the night. In this verse, the human authority—Eli—reaches out to Samuel, while just a few verses earlier, Samuel mistakenly thought Eli’s voice was calling him, but it was truly the LORD. When Samuel finally recognizes the LORD’s call, it sets the stage for him to become a pivotal prophet in Israel’s history. Samuel’s ministry will span the transition period from the time of the judges to the inception of the monarchy under King Saul, and eventually guiding the anointing of King David, an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:5-6).
Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” (v.16) also illustrates the importance of a mentor-disciple relationship, reminding us that spiritual guidance often involves seeking wisdom from those with greater experience. Eli’s role, although later tarnished by the disobedience of his own sons, is instrumental in helping Samuel discern the voice of the LORD. Samuel, in humility, shows an example to all who would follow God by answering swiftly and attentively. This example resonates with the call of Christ’s disciples in the New Testament, where an immediate response to the voice of Jesus marks a turning point in each disciple’s life (Matthew 4:18-22).
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1 Samuel 3:16 meaning
Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” (v.16) Eli, serving as a priest and judge in Israel around the late 11th century BC, summons the young boy Samuel, who was dedicated to the LORD by his mother, Hannah. This setting takes place in Shiloh, an ancient city in the hill country of Ephraim. Shiloh served as the central place of worship, where the tabernacle of the LORD was located for many years. Eli’s address “Samuel, my son,” suggests both a familial tone and a spiritual mentorship as Samuel serves under Eli’s guidance. Samuel’s obedient reply, “Here I am,” not only displays his willingness to respond immediately to authority, but also foreshadows his faithful readiness to hear God’s voice.
Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” (v.16) carries deeper meaning within the broader narrative of 1 Samuel 3, where God calls Samuel multiple times during the night. In this verse, the human authority—Eli—reaches out to Samuel, while just a few verses earlier, Samuel mistakenly thought Eli’s voice was calling him, but it was truly the LORD. When Samuel finally recognizes the LORD’s call, it sets the stage for him to become a pivotal prophet in Israel’s history. Samuel’s ministry will span the transition period from the time of the judges to the inception of the monarchy under King Saul, and eventually guiding the anointing of King David, an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:5-6).
Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” (v.16) also illustrates the importance of a mentor-disciple relationship, reminding us that spiritual guidance often involves seeking wisdom from those with greater experience. Eli’s role, although later tarnished by the disobedience of his own sons, is instrumental in helping Samuel discern the voice of the LORD. Samuel, in humility, shows an example to all who would follow God by answering swiftly and attentively. This example resonates with the call of Christ’s disciples in the New Testament, where an immediate response to the voice of Jesus marks a turning point in each disciple’s life (Matthew 4:18-22).