Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 3:19
And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
1Sa 3:19 to 1Sa 4:1. Samuel established as a Prophet in Israel
19. The Lord was with him ] This was the one source of strength for all the “heroes of Hebrew history;” for Abraham, Gen 21:22; Jacob, Gen 28:15; Joseph, Gen 39:2; Moses, Exo 3:12; Joshua, Jos 1:5; Gideon, Jdg 6:16; David, 1Sa 16:18 ; 1Sa 18:14.
did let none of his words fall to the ground ] The fulfilment of his prophetic utterances was the attestation of his divine mission. Cp. Deu 18:21-22. ‘ Falling ’ is a natural metaphor in all languages for ‘ failing.’ Comp. Gk. , Lat. cadere. The word rendered ‘perform’ in 1Sa 3:12 is the exact opposite, literally meaning ‘to raise up.’
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
1Sa 3:19
And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him.
Samuel
It is the design of the present discourse to show what was implied in Gods being with Samuel.
I. This implied that God preserved his life and health. While other children died, Samuel lived, and grew in stature and strength. He could gratefully say, I am old and grey-headed. Long life is often represented as the natural effect and temporal reward of early piety.
II. Gods being with him implied that he preserved him from moral as well as natural evil. He lived in an evil day. All orders and ages of men had grown corrupt, and every kind of error, delusion, and vice prevailed. Samuel, therefore, was greatly exposed to be carried away by the torrent of moral corruption, and nothing but the presence of God could preserve him from being overwhelmed and destroyed. But God was with him and he with God; for he lived as seeing Him who is invisible. A love to God, and a sense of His constant presence, made him hate and avoid every sinful course. This was certainly owing to Gods being with him, and restraining the native depravity of his heart. It is easy for God to keep the heart of those who constantly lean upon Him.
III. Gods being with Samuel implied his constant guidance in the path of duty. Accordingly we find that God did from time to time, direct him in duty. He directed him to bear His solemn messages to Eli and his house. He directed him to comply with the voice of the people, and anoint Saul to be king over Israel. And He directed him, at the hazard of his life, to anoint David, the son of Jesse, to succeed Saul on the throne which be then claimed and possessed. Besides directing him in extraordinary cases, whither to go, what to do, and what to say, He directed him in all his common and daily conduct.
IV. Gods being with Samuel implied that he afforded him assistance in the discharge of duty. Samuel was constantly dependent on God to enable him to do his duty, after he was led to the knowledge of it. He was called to many arduous and self-denying duties, which he would have neglected to perform if God had not inspired him with courage, resolution, and zeal. He was at first afraid to deliver the Divine messages to Eli. It was a dangerous duty to anoint David king over Israel, while Saul his enemy was on the throne.
V. Gods with Samuel implied that he succeeded, as well as guided and assisted, him in duty. Men may form wise and good designs, and pursue them with activity and diligence, but without success. In all their undertakings, it depends upon God whether they shall obtain the object of their wishes.
VI. That Gods being with Samuel implied that he made him eminently useful in his day and generation. God made Samuel uncommonly useful in various ways.
1. By his predictions. He early called him and ordained him a prophet, to reveal His will to His chosen people.
2. God made Samuel useful by his instructions. Though he was not a priest, yet he was an eminent instructor. He was the first that taught the school of the prophets; which was a most excellent institution, and continued in the nation until after the Babylonish captivity, when synagogues were first established and multiplied in the land. But, beside this, he taught the people at large, and restrained them from the gross practices and errors to which they were exposed, while there was no king nor faithful priests in the nation.
3. God made Samuel very useful, by clothing him with civil authority, and giving him opportunity to administer justice through the land. We read, Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
4. God gave Samuel the spirit of grace and supplication, by which He enabled him to draw down national blessings, and avert national salamities. David mentions the efficacy of Samuels prayers, as an example to the people of God in the days of darkness and distress. Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool: for He is holy Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among them that call upon His name: they called upon the Lord, and He answered them.
5. His example crowned and established his character in the view of the nation. He was called to visit all parts of Judea, which gave the people a peculiar opportunity of seeing his holy and exemplary conduct. This constrained them to believe that God was with him, for he carried the visible appearance of living near to God, and of enjoying His gracious presence.
Improvement.
1. It appears from the character and conduct of Samuel that pious and faithful parents may do much to promote the piety and usefulness of their children.
2. We learn from the character and life of Samuel the importance of parents being pious.
3. The character and conduct of Samuel show the peculiar obligations of those who have been the subjects of parental dedication and instruction, to make a personal dedication of themselves to the Lord.
4. In the view of the character and conduct of Samuel we may see the great importance of early piety.
5. We learn from what has been said that it is very criminal to obstruct early piety. (N. Emmons.)
Here to grow
We are not in this world merely to do the pieces of work, large or small, that are set over against our hand. We are here to grow in strength and beauty of character. And it is not hard to see how this growth may go on continually amid lifes daily toil and cares. If we are diligent, careful, faithful, prompt, accurate, energetic in the doing of a thousand little things of common life, we are building these qualities meanwhile into our souls fabric. Thus we are ever learning by doing and growing by doing. There is art unseen spiritual building arising within us continually as we plod on in our unending tasks. Negligence in common duties mars our character. Faithfulness in work builds beauty into the soul. (J. R. Miller, D. D.)
The character of Samuel
I. Consider Samuel in his early advantages. He was in a special and peculiar sense a child of prayer.
II. But let us come to contemplate the results of this early training, as they soon developed themselves in the person and character of Samuel.
1. Observe his attention to all appointed duties. This is seen in the promptness with which he rises to obey the fancied summons of Eli even at midnight.
2. Let us consider next the deportment of Samuel towards others. Thus we find it was always modest, and courteous, and respectful. We never find him elated by the honourable position to which he had been advanced.
3. But once more, notice among the personal qualities of Samuel his steady, uncompromising faithfulness. Removed at so early a period from the pious overse sight of his parents; left only to the instruct, ions of the feeble, and as it would seem now careless Eli; compelled to be a witness of the fruits of his masters sinful negligence, and even to be the daily associate of that masters profligate and abandoned sons–we could hardly have wondered if, infected by the surrounding contagion, this plant of early and holy promise had withered and faded sway. But the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation.
III. But let us consider Samuel, in the last place, as he stood high in the favour of God. This is especially observable in the circumstances of his prophetic calling. The latter times of the Judges were times of great spiritual decline. Good men were scattered like two or three berries on the top of a bough. (D. Moors, M. A.)
The ministry of Samuel
These passages (1Sa 12:23) bring out some of the most characteristic points in the life of Samuel the prophet. The child devoutly surrendered bee sins the first and greatest of the prophets, the man chosen to close the order of judges and inaugurate the government of kings. It is as the first of the prophets that he appears before us in our text: And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.
1. First, our text tells us, he grew. What a child will become depends very much on its capacity of growth. There are some who never grow, or, if they grow at all, grow feebly or imperfectly. Their body is stunted, their mind is undeveloped, their character makes no progress. But where there is full power of growth there is hardly any degree of eminence which may not be attained. Growth mainly results from two things, vigour of life, and suitable culture. Samuel enjoyed both these. But this growth was aided by culture. That culture began in infancy. He was brought to the house of the Lord; he was placed under the care of Eli–the devout, the true, though too indulgent Eli. Nor were there other influences wanting. His mother never ceased to pray for him. His mother came up every year, we are told, to offer the early sacrifice, and brought with her a little mantle, or coat, woven by her own hands. Oh! the anticipation of that yearly visit. Oh! the joy with which she folded him in her arms, and clothed him in his new dress. Oh! the love which she poured into the susceptible heart from hers, with fondest kisses and tenderest prayers. The impression of these visits lived on from year to year, and more than any other influence served to keep his heart pure, and loving, and devout. Above all, God Himself took Samuel in hand, and completed his education by His own Spirit.
2. The second thing our text tells us is that the Lord was with him. The Lord was with him, a blessing of the most comprehensive and sufficing kind, a blessing which seems to include all other blessings in itself. Only thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord, and whom the Lord delighteth to honour. The Lord was with Jacob to keep him safely in all the places whither he went. The Lord was with Joseph, and all that he did prospered. The Lord was with Moses, certainly I shall be with thee, and with confidence before which even Pharaoh quailed, he wrought deliverance for Israel. The Lord was with Joshua as He was with Moses, and he became strong and very courageous, and with the people took possession of the land. Paul at his first examination before Caesar was left alone, all men forsook him, nevertheless the Lord stood with him, and his preaching was so fully known that all the Gentiles heard, and he was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And so the Lord was with Samuel, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
3. Thirdly, the Lord did let none of his words fall to the ground. Because he had the capacity which was revealed in growth, and because the Lord was with him, therefore his words were words of power and took lasting effect. His predictions came to pass because they were really the utterances of the Spirit. Perhaps we have never grown as Samuel did, never grown up to such an apprehension of Divine truth that it has become a living power in our souls, and therefore we cannot skilfully unfold it to others, Perhaps we have never felt that the Lord was with us when we spake, and so the one influence which alone could open the heart was wanting. And the other passages I have read as part of my text show us how this was. First, because he adhered to his purpose: I will teach you the good and right way. What Samuel taught he felt to be of the first importance, and he could not be sure that what he taught would, in the highest sense, be good and right, unless it were Divine. Like all the ancient prophets he kept his ear open to catch the words of the heavenly oracle, his heart open to receive the celestial fire. If his teaching were of God, it would be true in its substance, decisive in its affirmations, and, however severely tested, would firmly stand. When men speak of advanced thought in the present day, and mean by it thought which is simply human, wrought out by mans unaided reason, and freed from the assumption of being Divine, they might be indulging in the severest irony. Thought that springs up in a feeble human mind in advance of that which flows from the Divine! Thought originating in perceptions which are dim, limited, liable to be distorted, in advance of thought originating in perceptions which are clear, illimitable, and unperturbed! Save us from such progress as this. To a noble soul there is something stimulating in the persuasion that God has spoken to man, and that we have His words. Then, secondly, our text tells that he tolerated nothing that was unreal. When Samuel saw the miserable dissimulation which Saul was practising in covering his self-will with the cloak of sacrifice, he scornfully said, Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the blood of rams. The deep sincerity of the man, his determination to unmask all that was hollow and unreal, his demand for substance, not show, was another element of power in virtue of which none of his words fell to the ground. And finally he continued instant in prayer. (J. Harrison.)
The growth of character
1. Let us reflect, first, upon this description as applying to the ancient seer of Israel. And Samuel grew. It was a saying of the poet Southey that, live as long as we may, the first twenty years are the longest half of our life. Why is this? There is a physiological and there is a moral reason for it. The physiological cause lies in the more vivid sensibility of youth–the soft wax is not yet set, the tender branch is not yet hardened. The moral cause lies in the greater variety of influences to which we are subject before lifes choice is made, and ere we have definitely cast in oar lot either with the good or the bad. And both these are gathered into one statement if we say that the first twenty years are the longest half of life because they are the period of vigorous and determining growth; that being the analysis of the growing process–vigour of life and determination of life. Hence the significance of the clause, And Samuel grew. There was the vigour of the lads life; wherefore the young limbs lengthened and the supple frame waxed strong, and he developed into a magnificent man. And there was the determination of the lads life towards wise and pure conduct; wherefore he eschewed the evil example of Elis sons, and set himself to walk in the good and right way. This persistent emphasis upon the growth of the prophet is intended to teach that the secret of his even and consistent life is to be found in his early piety. The visitations of Gods grace were upon him like the dews of the morning; he grew, and when he was old and grey-headed, he remained like a tree rooted in its place. Occasionally a wild, ungodly youth is followed by a consecrated manhood, for the grace of God can work miracles; and this ham been seen in such lives as Augustines, Ignatius Loyolas, John Bunyans, and John Newtons. But the law is that whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap; be that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting. And even those apparent exceptions to which I refer do really confirm the rule, since, as the greatest of ecclesiastical historians has pointed out, the men who are converted after a lawless and reckless youth usually become Christians of an ill-wrought and inharmonious type. Always the Christliest saints are those of whom it can be said, as of the first prophet, And Samuel grew.
2. The text goes on to speak of a second characteristic. And the Lord was with him. Alone, he would have fallen. Alone, his spiritual nature would have sickened in the atmosphere of unclearness; he would have learned to tolerate the crimes of his neighbours–it may have been to outdo them.
3. Once more the text tells us that the Lord did let none of his words fall to the ground. This was the natural and appropriate result. (W. J. Woods, B. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Samuel grew, as in stature, so in wisdom and piety, and Gods favour, and reputation with the people.
Fall to the ground, i.e. want its effect or success; God made good all his predictions. A metaphor from precious liquors, which when they are spilt upon the ground, are altogether useless and ineffectual. This phrase is oft used, as Jos 21:45; Est 6:10, &c.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Samuel grew,…. Not only in years and stature, but in grace and goodness, in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, both with respect to things natural and spiritual, and in esteem, credit, and reputation among men:
and the Lord was with him; he was not only in favour with men, but with God; and had fresh and repeated tokens of the grace and good will of God towards him; he indulged him with his presence, and assisted him in his service, and prospered and succeeded him in all things in which he was engaged. The Targum is,
“the Word of the Lord was his help;”
the essential Word of God, the Messiah:
and did let none of his words fall to the ground x; in allusion either to water that falls to the ground, and becomes useless, or to an arrow falling out of the bow, and to the ground, before it reaches the mark, and so unsuccessful y; or to any weapon of war, sword or spear, falling out of the hand of the soldier, whereby he is disarmed and rendered unserviceable: and these words, according to Kimchi, and in which he is followed by Abarbinel, are to be understood, not only of the words which he spake by the Holy Ghost under a spirit of prophecy, and had their exact accomplishment; but his common words, which were spoken by weight and measure, as the last expresses it, and which were delivered out according to the rules of justice, probity, and truth; and so he failed not of performing that which he had said, or of doing what was right, whereby Israel knew he was fit, prepared, and designed to be a prophet of the Lord, as in the following verse; but it seems rather to have respect to the things predicted by him under a spirit of prophecy concerning Eli and his house, which soon began to be fulfilled.
x , Pindar. Pythia, Ode 6. y Vid. Homer. Iliad. 17. ver. 633.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Thus Samuel grew, and Jehovah was with him, and let none of his words fall to the ground, i.e., left no word unfulfilled which He spoke through Samuel. (On , see Jos 21:45; Jos 23:14; 1Ki 8:56.) By this all Israel from Dan to Beersheba (see at Jdg 20:1) perceived that Samuel was found trustworthy, or approved (see Num 12:7) as a prophet of Jehovah. And the Lord continued to appear at Shiloh; for He revealed himself there to Samuel “ in the word of Jehovah,” i.e., through a prophetic announcement of His word. These three verses form the transition from the call of Samuel to the following account of his prophetic labours in Israel. At the close of 1Sa 3:21, the lxx have appended a general remark concerning Eli and his sons, which, regarded as a deduction from the context, answers no doubt to the paraphrastic treatment of our book in that version, but in a critical aspect is utterly worthless.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| Samuel Honoured as a Prophet. | B. C. 1128. |
19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. 21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
Samuel being thus brought acquainted with the visions of God, we have here an account of the further honour done him as a prophet.
I. God did him honour. Having begun to favour him, he carried on and crowned his own work in him: Samuel grew, for the Lord was with him, v. 19. All our increase in wisdom and grace is owing to the presence of God with us; this is all in all to our growth. God honoured Samuel, 1. By further manifestations of himself to him. Samuel had faithfully delivered the message he was entrusted with, and therefore God employed him again in his service: The Lord revealed himself again to Samuel in Shiloh, v. 21. Note, God will graciously repeat his visits to those that receive them aright. 2. By fulfilling what he spoke by him: God did let none of his words fall to the ground, v. 19. Whatever Samuel said, as a prophet, it proved true, and was accomplished in its season. Probably there were some remarkable instances of the truth of Samuel’s predictions that happened soon after, which confirmed those that were afterwards to be fulfilled, and gave general satisfaction as to his mission. God will confirm the word of his servants, and perform the counsel of his messengers (Isa. xliv. 26), and will do what he hath said.
II. Israel did him honour. They all knew and owned that Samuel was established to be a prophet, v. 20. 1. He grew famous; all that came up to Shiloh to worship took notice of him, and admired him, and talked of him when they returned home. Early piety will be the greatest honour of young people, and bring them, as much as any thing, and as soon, into reputation. Those that honour God he will honour. 2. He grew useful and very serviceable to his generation. He that began betimes to be good soon came to do good. His established commission from God, and established reputation with the people, gave him a great opportunity of shining as a light in Israel. When old Eli was rejected, young Samuel was established; for God will never leave himself without a witness nor his church without a guide.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
(19) And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him.Again in a brief sentence the life of Samuel was contrasted with another: this time with that of his predecessor in the judgeship. As the boy grew up to manhood, we hear that while, on the one hand, as, no doubt, in earlier days with Eli, so now with Samuel, the Lord was with His servant, giving him strength and wisdom, guiding him and guarding him; and, on the other, different from Eli, we hear how the young prophet let none of the Divine words fall to the ground. In those dark days of sin and shame at Shiloh, in the midst of scenes of temptation, the boy stood firm; his early life was a perpetual protest against covetousness and iniquity.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
19. Let none of his words fall to the ground Let none of his prophecies fail of fulfilment, so that it soon became known, far and near, that he was a divinely accredited prophet, and all his sayings surely came to pass. Compare 1Sa 9:6.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Samuel Develops As A Prophet ( 1Sa 3:19-20 )
The phrase ‘YHWH was with him’ regularly indicates His acting through the one in mind. Note its use of Abraham (Gen 21:22; Jacob (Gen 28:15; Joseph (Gen 29:2; Moses (Exo 3:12); Joshua (Jos 1:5); Gideon (Jdg 6:16); David (1Sa 16:18; 1Sa 18:14). Samuel was following in a line of powerful men of God.
1Sa 3:19
‘ And Samuel grew, and YHWH was with him, and let none of his words fall to the ground.’
As Samuel grew up YHWH was with Him. (See above). He now ‘knew YHWH’ and received His word (compare 1Sa 3:7). And as he passed them on to the people YHWH let none of his words be wasted, and fulfilled all that was promised. Everything that he spoke came about (compare 1Sa 9:6), and came to the people as the oracle of YHWH. His words were certainly going to be needed. They were entering one of the darker periods of Israel’s history in the face of continued Philistine oppression which threatened to engulf them.
This description takes us beyond 4:1b-7:2, which was happening while Samuel was ‘growing’. It is a ‘flash forward’. There is no reason to think that Samuel was involved in the disastrous (though understandable) decision to take the Ark into battle. That was the decision of the priests.
1Sa 3:20
‘ And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of YHWH.’
And the result was that all Israel ‘from Dan to Beersheba’ knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of YHWH. The news spread everywhere among the tribes. At last YHWH was speaking again. He had raised up a prophet like to Moses (Deu 18:15).
The description ‘from Dan to Beersheba’ was a standard expression encompassing all the tribes of Israel, Dan being the northernmost point and Beersheba the southernmost. Compare Jdg 20:1; 2Sa 3:10 ; 2Sa 17:11; 2Sa 24:2; 2Sa 24:15 ; 1Ki 4:25, and regularly in the book of Samuel. This did not refer to the area of Samuel’s judgeship. It referred to his status as a prophet.
“Was established.” That is, all recognised that his position was ‘made sure’ by YHWH. Happy the man on whom God sets His seal (which He does in a more general way on all who are His – Eph 1:13; Eph 4:30; but in a special way on those whom He chooses).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
1Sa 3:19-20. The Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall, &c. None of the predictions of Samuel were unaccomplished; in the same manner as an arrow shot by a good archer fails not to arrive at its mark; for this is the metaphor. See Schultens’s Orig. Heb. pars 2: page 143. Thus the Lord shewed that he was with him, or blessed him. Compare Gen 31:2.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
(19) And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
While looking at Samuel, in his progress towards the prophetical office, I would desire the Reader, not to lose sight of a greater than Samuel, on whom the Spirit was to rest without measure. Of Him it is also said, that Jesus increased in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and men. Yes! the manhood of the Lord Jesus, was in all points, in the sinless state of his nature, such as ours: for it behoved him to be in all things, made like unto his brethren. Luk 2:52 ; Heb 2:17 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Sa 3:19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
Ver. 19. Fall to the ground. ] Metaph. a liquidis, aut ab aedificationibus collapsis.
grew: 1Sa 2:21, Jdg 13:24, Luk 1:80, Luk 2:40, Luk 2:52
the Lord: 1Sa 18:14, Gen 39:2, Gen 39:21-23, Isa 43:2, Mat 1:23, Luk 1:28, 2Co 13:11, 2Co 13:14, 2Ti 4:22
let none: 1Sa 9:6, 1Ki 8:56, Isa 44:26
Reciprocal: Jos 23:14 – not one thing 1Sa 12:2 – I have walked 1Sa 16:18 – the Lord 1Ki 18:12 – from my youth 2Ki 3:12 – The word 2Ki 10:10 – fall unto the earth Ecc 12:1 – Remember Eze 33:33 – when
1Sa 3:19. The Lord was with him There were manifest tokens of Gods presence with him, and favour toward him. See Gen 31:2. Or, he revealed his mind more and more to him: so that Israel knew God intended him for the prophetic office. Let none of his words fall to the ground That is, want their proper effect: God made good all his predictions. It is a metaphor taken from precious liquors, which, when they are spilt upon the ground, are altogether useless. Or rather, it is taken from arrows shot out of a bow; which, when directed by a good archer, fail not to arrive at their intended mark.
3:19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words {l} fall to the ground.
(l) The Lord accomplished whatever he had said.
2. Samuel’s ministry 3:19-4:1a
These verses summarize Samuel’s continuing ministry as a prophet (Heb. nabbi’) in Israel. Though the Hebrew word nabbi’ describes Samuel only here (1Sa 3:20) and in 2Ch 35:18, the Hebrew word ro’eh ("seer") describes the same office and refers to Samuel in 1Sa 9:11; 1Sa 9:18-19; 1Ch 9:22; 1Ch 26:28; and 1Ch 29:29. When the word "prophet" appears it usually emphasizes the proclamation aspect of the individual’s ministry, and when "seer" occurs the emphasis is usually on his or her ability to perceive messages from the Lord.
Samuel qualified for this privilege by his faithful obedience to God’s will, as he knew it. God sovereignly chose Samuel for this ministry, but his disobedience could have disqualified him, as the disobedience of Eli and his sons disqualified them and as King Saul’s disobedience disqualified him.
The phrase "let none of his words fail [lit. fall to the ground]" is a metaphor taken from archery (cf. Jos 21:45; Jos 23:14; 1Ki 8:56). The arrow that falls to the ground fails to reach its target. In contrast, all of Samuel’s words hit their mark. They were effective because God found him to be a reliable "bow" that delivered His words. [Note: For further study of this verse, see W. T. Claassen, "1 Samuel 3:19 – A Case of Context and Semantics," Journal of Northwest Semitic Languages 8 (1980):1-9.]
The phrase "from Dan to Beersheba" became proverbial during the united monarchy and described all the land of Israel (cf. Jdg 20:1; 2Sa 3:10; 2Sa 17:11; 2Sa 24:2; 2Sa 24:15; 1Ki 4:25). Dan stood on the northern border about 150 miles from Israel’s southernmost major town, Beersheba.
The Lord’s word (1Sa 3:21) is what Samuel communicated to the people as His prophet. He did this so consistently that Samuel’s word amounted to the Lord’s word (1Sa 4:1 a; cf. Jer 1:2; Jer 1:4; Jer 1:11; Jer 1:13; Hos 1:1; Mic 1:1).
Moses called Abraham (Gen 20:7), Aaron (Exo 7:1), and himself (Deu 34:10) prophets. Samuel became a prophet in a new sense. He was the first of those "servants of the Lord" who became primarily, not secondarily, as the former prophets had become, God’s mouthpieces. Samuel also established a company or school of prophets that he trained to serve God in this capacity. He did not, of course, train these men to get revelations from God. God gave new revelations sovereignly. He probably did, however, train his students in the general functions of the prophets that included studying God’s Word, communicating it effectively, and leading God’s people in worship. Schools of the prophets continued through the tenth century B.C. (cf. 2Ki 2:3). After that time we have no record of their existence. Individual prophets ministered throughout the history of Israel, though some generations saw none, others some, and others more prophets. The great writing prophets who have given us the prophetic books of the Old Testament began their ministry in the ninth century. Moses and the other writers of the historical books of the Old Testament were also prophets. There were no prophets who gave new revelation from God in Israel between Malachi and our Lord’s days, a period of about 400 years.
"It seems plausible . . . to attribute to Samuel the development of the prophetic movement in a formal sense. Certainly it was always God who raised up the true prophet, but the structure itself had its inception with Samuel and was developed further by Elijah." [Note: Heater, pp. 129-30. Cf. Acts 3:24.]
The literary structure of chapter 3 focuses on the Lord’s sentence of destruction on Eli’s house. This was very significant for the whole nation of Israel.
"A. Absence of divine oracles (1Sa 3:1)
B. Eli’s fading powers (1Sa 3:2)
C. Three divine calls to Samuel (1Sa 3:3-9)
D. A divine oracle to Samuel (1Sa 3:10-15)
C’. Eli’s request for Samuel’s report (1Sa 3:16-18)
B’. Samuel’s growing stature (1Sa 3:19 a)
A’. Return of divine oracles (1Sa 3:19 to 1Sa 4:1 a)" [Note: Youngblood, p. 592.]
Another writer believed that the chiastic structure of chapter 3 focuses emphasis on Yahweh.
"A1 Samuel’s career in the shadow of Eli (1Sa 3:1)
B1 Eli and Samuel in darkness (1Sa 3:2-3)
C1 Yahweh breaks through (1Sa 3:4-10)
C2 . . . and speaks (1Sa 3:11-14)
B2 Samuel and Eli in light (1Sa 3:15-18)
A2 Samuel’s career as a prophet (1Sa 3:19-21)" [Note: Donald Wiebe, "The Structure of 1 Samuel 3 : Another View," Biblische Zeitschrift 30:12 (1986):256.]
This chapter also shows that God rewards faithful obedience to His word with further ministry opportunities (cf. 1Ti 1:12). Samuel became the source of God’s revelations to Israel. He continued to receive revelations from God and to represent God on earth because he remained faithful. He became the most powerful man in Israel-even anointing the nation’s first two kings. Like Moses, Samuel became an excellent leader of the Israelites (cf. Jer 15:1). He functioned as judge, priest, and prophet. Yet he glorified the kings he appointed, who were the Lord’s anointed, above himself. In many respects he foreshadowed the Lord Jesus Christ.
Chapters 1 through 3 prepare us for the rest of 1 and 2 Samuel historically and theologically. They teach us that God responds to the faith of people, even insignificant people. A barren and therefore despised woman became the mother of Israel’s most powerful man because she trusted and obeyed God. This was a complete reversal of what one would naturally expect. These chapters also show that God blesses with fertility those who commit to His revealed will contained in His Law, but He cuts off those who do not.
"The birth of Samuel was God’s means of dealing with His chosen people. The rest of the narrative deals with a similar theme. The righteous ones who are chosen by God will prosper while the ones who are chosen by the people and oppose God’s rule will be cut off. This is true even if those who oppose God’s rule (i.e., Eli and his sons) are a part of the covenant community." [Note: John A. Martin, "Studies in 1 and 2 Samuel," Bibliotheca Sacra 141:561 (January-March 1984):32.]
There are four conflicts and reversals of fortune in these chapters: Peninnah and Hannah (ch. 1), the arrogant and the innocent (1Sa 2:1-10), Eli’s sons and Samuel (1Sa 2:11-36), and Eli’s line of priests and Samuel’s line of prophets (1Sa 3:1 to 1Sa 4:1 a). God decides who will prosper and who will perish. The basis of His judgment is His faithfulness to what He has said He will do when people respond to His will (Deuteronomy 28).
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)