The Hebrew word used to describe Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:1 (naar) elsewhere refers to a young teenager (cf. 1 Samuel 17:33). Consequently we should probably think of Samuel as a boy in his early teens as we read this section. Josephus wrote that Samuel was12years old. [1] At this time in Israel"s history (i.e, the late Judges Period), special revelations from God were rare. These normally came to prophets in visions or dreams (cf. Numbers 12:6; 1 Samuel 28:6). Samuel, who saw clearly, both physically and spiritually, contrasts with Eli, who could not see well either way ( 1 Samuel 3:2, cf. 1 Samuel 3:5-6; 1 Samuel 4:15). [source][source][source]
The lamp of God ( 1 Samuel 3:3) is an expression that refers to the lamps on the sanctuary lampstand that continued to give light through the night (cf. Exodus 27:20-21; Exodus 30:8; Leviticus 24:2-4; 2 Chronicles 13:11). Samuel was probably sleeping in the courtyard of the sanctuary. [2] Eli evidently slept nearby ( 1 Samuel 3:5). Samuel"s self-discipline in getting up three times in response to what he thought was Eli"s call was commendable. His selfless, willing obedience qualified him to receive the ministry that God entrusted to him (cf. Genesis 22:1; Genesis 22:11; Exodus 3:4; Isaiah 6:8; 1 Timothy 1:12). [source][source][source]1 Samuel 3:7 does not necessarily mean that Samuel did not then know the Lord at all personally, that he was an unbeliever. One writer took terms such as "knew the Lord" and "did not know the Lord" as evidence of salvation or lack of it (cf. Jeremiah 31:34; John 17:3). [3] However this may be reading too much into the text. Rather, it means that the boy had not yet come to know Yahweh as he was about to know Him, having heard His voice speaking directly to him. Even though Samuel knew God and His will, God had not previously communicated with him directly. Finally, God not only called to Samuel but also stood by him ( 1 Samuel 3:10, cf. Genesis 18:22) suggesting the possibility that Samuel could see Him (i.e, a theophany). The Lord"s repetition of Samuel"s name added a note of urgency (cf. Genesis 22:11; Exodus 3:4; Acts 9:4). [source][source][source]
In 1 Samuel 3:11-14, God restated for Samuel what the prophet had told Eli concerning the fate of Eli"s house in the near and far future ( 1 Samuel 2:27-36). The reference to people"s ears tingling occurs only here at the beginning of the monarchy and at its end in the Old Testament ( 2 Kings 21:12; Jeremiah 19:3). Under the Mosaic Law the penalty for showing contempt for the priesthood, for disobeying parents, and for blasphemy, was death ( Deuteronomy 17:12; Deuteronomy 21:18-21; Leviticus 24:11-16; Leviticus 24:23). This was what Hophni and Phinehas would experience (cf. 1 Samuel 4:11). The cutting off of Eli"s line happened about130 years later (cf. 1 Kings 2:27; 1 Kings 2:35). [source][source][source]
The writer may have intended to mark the beginning of Samuel"s ministry with his statement that the lad opened the doors (i.e, the curtained openings into the courtyard) of the Lord"s house ( 1 Samuel 3:15; cf. 1 Samuel 1:28 b). [4] Evidently the curtained openings were closed at night. [source][source][source]
Eli realized that God"s words to Samuel would have been very significant. He therefore insisted that the lad tell him what God had said. Samuel faithfully reported to Eli all that God had revealed to him ( 1 Samuel 3:18). He was a faithful prophet from the start. This was the second time Eli had received a prophecy of his family"s future (cf. 1 Samuel 2:27-36). Thus he knew that the prediction would surely come to pass (cf. Genesis 41:32). He accepted God"s will submissively ( 1 Samuel 3:18). [source][source][source]