For believers today, 1 Samuel 3:3 reminds us that, even in spiritually dim times, the light and calling of God still glow brightly.
and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was, (v.3)
In this verse, we find young Samuel in a place of spiritual significance, serving under the high priest Eli at Shiloh. Shiloh was located in the hill country of Ephraim, and it housed the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God stayed. Between around 1350-1100 BC, the tabernacle remained in Shiloh before the city was destroyed by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:11). At this point in Israel’s history, Samuel was not yet old enough to fully understand the voice of the LORD; yet he was already dedicated by his mother Hannah to serve God there, a service that began around the time of Eli’s priestly leadership. The mention that the lamp of God had not yet gone out suggests it was likely near dawn, indicating a sacred, watchful environment (Exodus 27:20-21). It also symbolizes that God’s presence was yet aflame in Israel even though the society was spiritually dim.
By stating that Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was (v.3), we see the closeness of Samuel, physically and metaphorically, to God’s presence. In this tabernacle, the ark of God served as the most holy object in Israel’s set-apart worship, often signifying God’s covenant with His people (Exodus 25:17-22). Samuel sleeping there could show that he was being prepared to encounter the LORD Himself, foreshadowing the significant prophetic role he would hold in anointing Israel’s king, including Saul (around 1050 BC) and later David (around 1010 BC). Historically, Samuel comes on the scene at a pivotal time: the transitional period from the rule of judges to the beginning of the monarchy in Israel (1 Samuel 8).
In broader biblical theology, the calling of Samuel also foreshadows God using the seemingly unlikely to accomplish His purposes, just as later God would use David (1 Samuel 16) and, ultimately, bring Jesus Christ through David’s line (Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:32-33).
This verse depicts a moment of quiet readiness: The setting was humble, Samuel’s posture demonstrated service, and the “lamp of God” was still shining, anticipating the voice about to call the young prophet by name (1 Samuel 3:4).
God calls us to remain near His presence and remain ready to listen.
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1 Samuel 3:3 meaning
and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was, (v.3)
In this verse, we find young Samuel in a place of spiritual significance, serving under the high priest Eli at Shiloh. Shiloh was located in the hill country of Ephraim, and it housed the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God stayed. Between around 1350-1100 BC, the tabernacle remained in Shiloh before the city was destroyed by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:11). At this point in Israel’s history, Samuel was not yet old enough to fully understand the voice of the LORD; yet he was already dedicated by his mother Hannah to serve God there, a service that began around the time of Eli’s priestly leadership. The mention that the lamp of God had not yet gone out suggests it was likely near dawn, indicating a sacred, watchful environment (Exodus 27:20-21). It also symbolizes that God’s presence was yet aflame in Israel even though the society was spiritually dim.
By stating that Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was (v.3), we see the closeness of Samuel, physically and metaphorically, to God’s presence. In this tabernacle, the ark of God served as the most holy object in Israel’s set-apart worship, often signifying God’s covenant with His people (Exodus 25:17-22). Samuel sleeping there could show that he was being prepared to encounter the LORD Himself, foreshadowing the significant prophetic role he would hold in anointing Israel’s king, including Saul (around 1050 BC) and later David (around 1010 BC). Historically, Samuel comes on the scene at a pivotal time: the transitional period from the rule of judges to the beginning of the monarchy in Israel (1 Samuel 8).
In broader biblical theology, the calling of Samuel also foreshadows God using the seemingly unlikely to accomplish His purposes, just as later God would use David (1 Samuel 16) and, ultimately, bring Jesus Christ through David’s line (Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:32-33).
This verse depicts a moment of quiet readiness: The setting was humble, Samuel’s posture demonstrated service, and the “lamp of God” was still shining, anticipating the voice about to call the young prophet by name (1 Samuel 3:4).
God calls us to remain near His presence and remain ready to listen.