This verse describes how the boy Samuel, despite being dedicated to God, had not yet experienced a personal revelation from the LORD, preparing us for the moment he would finally hear and recognize God’s voice.
Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him. (v.7)
This verse explains that young Samuel was serving at the sanctuary under the priest Eli, but had not yet developed the kind of personal relationship and familiarity with God that would allow him to distinguish God’s voice when it called him. The phrase did not yet know the LORD implies that Samuel was in a growth process. He had been dedicated to God from birth (1 Samuel 1:28), but this passage makes it clear that spiritual knowledge and recognition of God’s presence are not automatic; they often require maturity, time, and personal experience. Samuel lived in a temple setting at Shiloh, within the tribal territory of Ephraim in Israel. This was during the 11th century BC, a period when Israel was governed by priests and judges before the rise of the monarchy.
The words nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him highlight the rarity of prophetic visions in those days (1 Samuel 3:1). Samuel was ministering to the LORD (1 Samuel 2:11), but had not yet received God’s specific revelation. In this sense, he serves as a picture of the humility and receptive heart needed to receive divine truth. His life would later mark a turning point in Israel’s history: Samuel would anoint the first kings of Israel—Saul, and later David—and serve as a prophet, pointing Israel back to the commandments of God. His timeline extends from about 1105 BC to 1010 BC, bridging the era of the judges to the monarchy.
This powerful moment in 1 Samuel 3:7 is a reminder that each believer can grow into a deeper relationship with God. Just as Samuel’s attentiveness eventually led him to respond, “Speak, for Your servant is listening,” believers can likewise train themselves to hear and recognize God’s voice through prayer, obedience, and meditating on Scripture (see John 10:27 and James 1:22).
This verse illustrates the importance of recognizing God’s calling in our lives: Sometimes it takes multiple “calls” before we realize it is the LORD who is beckoning us to serve and follow Him.
Samuel was not yet accustomed to the personal voice of God, yet God was reaching out to Him. Samuel ultimately learned that God had a powerful plan for his life as a leader who would bring Israel closer to the LORD.
The key takeaway of 1 Samuel 3:7 is God’s initiation of a deeper, personal relationship in a moment when Samuel was open and ready, even if he did not fully understand at first.
God’s calling often comes at times we do not expect, and learning to recognize His call requires openness and a teachable spirit.
Samuel demonstrates that knowing “about” the LORD (growing up in His service) is different from having direct revelation from Him. That direct connection comes in God’s time and prepares us for the purpose He has set before us.
Samuel’s story serves as an encouragement that no matter our background or place in life, God desires to reveal Himself. Our role is to listen, respond, and grow in our knowledge of Him, so that we might effectively fulfill His calling.
God’s choice of Samuel, long before his knowledge could match the depth of his calling, also shows His grace in choosing His servants. It is not about our merit, but about God’s sovereign initiative.
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1 Samuel 3:7 meaning
Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him. (v.7)
This verse explains that young Samuel was serving at the sanctuary under the priest Eli, but had not yet developed the kind of personal relationship and familiarity with God that would allow him to distinguish God’s voice when it called him. The phrase did not yet know the LORD implies that Samuel was in a growth process. He had been dedicated to God from birth (1 Samuel 1:28), but this passage makes it clear that spiritual knowledge and recognition of God’s presence are not automatic; they often require maturity, time, and personal experience. Samuel lived in a temple setting at Shiloh, within the tribal territory of Ephraim in Israel. This was during the 11th century BC, a period when Israel was governed by priests and judges before the rise of the monarchy.
The words nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him highlight the rarity of prophetic visions in those days (1 Samuel 3:1). Samuel was ministering to the LORD (1 Samuel 2:11), but had not yet received God’s specific revelation. In this sense, he serves as a picture of the humility and receptive heart needed to receive divine truth. His life would later mark a turning point in Israel’s history: Samuel would anoint the first kings of Israel—Saul, and later David—and serve as a prophet, pointing Israel back to the commandments of God. His timeline extends from about 1105 BC to 1010 BC, bridging the era of the judges to the monarchy.
This powerful moment in 1 Samuel 3:7 is a reminder that each believer can grow into a deeper relationship with God. Just as Samuel’s attentiveness eventually led him to respond, “Speak, for Your servant is listening,” believers can likewise train themselves to hear and recognize God’s voice through prayer, obedience, and meditating on Scripture (see John 10:27 and James 1:22).
This verse illustrates the importance of recognizing God’s calling in our lives: Sometimes it takes multiple “calls” before we realize it is the LORD who is beckoning us to serve and follow Him.
Samuel was not yet accustomed to the personal voice of God, yet God was reaching out to Him. Samuel ultimately learned that God had a powerful plan for his life as a leader who would bring Israel closer to the LORD.
The key takeaway of 1 Samuel 3:7 is God’s initiation of a deeper, personal relationship in a moment when Samuel was open and ready, even if he did not fully understand at first.
God’s calling often comes at times we do not expect, and learning to recognize His call requires openness and a teachable spirit.
Samuel demonstrates that knowing “about” the LORD (growing up in His service) is different from having direct revelation from Him. That direct connection comes in God’s time and prepares us for the purpose He has set before us.
Samuel’s story serves as an encouragement that no matter our background or place in life, God desires to reveal Himself. Our role is to listen, respond, and grow in our knowledge of Him, so that we might effectively fulfill His calling.
God’s choice of Samuel, long before his knowledge could match the depth of his calling, also shows His grace in choosing His servants. It is not about our merit, but about God’s sovereign initiative.