The LORD Calls Samuel

The Word Stands

PART FOUR

1 Samuel 3 ESV

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.

Here is the same verse from the NKJV. I have included a few of the Hebrew words and there literal meaning as found using an Interlinear and the Strong’s Concordance.

“Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word (H1697 dabar - speaking, word) of the LORD (YHWH) was precious or rare (H3368 yaqar) in those days; there was no (H369) widespread (H6555 parats - breakthrough, open) revelation (H2377 chazown - vision).

The phrase there was no frequent (ESV) or widespread is the Hebrew word parats number H655, the verb tense is Niphal which means to be broken through or open. The last word of this sentence is H2376 chazonwn vision.

1 Samuel 3:2-7 ESV:

2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 3 The lamp of God (Elohim) had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD (YHWH), where the ark of God (Elohim) was.

4 Then the LORD (YHWH) called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So, he (Samuel) went and lay down.

6 And the LORD (YHWH) called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I didn’t call, my son; lie down again.”

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD (YHWH), and the word (dabar) of the LORD (YHWH)), had not yet been revealed (H1540 galah the Niphal tense which points directly at the person of God-to reveal or show Himself) to him.”

Samuel was not having a vision of a scroll. Nor is this the way a writer would describe a dream or impression of the spirit. This is an encounter with the “person” of Yahweh Himself.

Let’s continue in this chapter, read 1 Samuel 3: 8-21. I will highlight a few of the verses.

10 And the LORD (YHWH)) came (H935 bow’Qal imperfect tense- to enter, to come in) and stood (H3320 yatsab (Hithpael tense- to station onself, present oneself, stand with someone). calling (H7121 qara’ Qal tense - utter a loud sound, to call unto, to proclaim, to summon) as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak (dabar), for your servant hears.”

19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD (YHWH) was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.

21 And the LORD (YHWH) appeared [H7200 Niphal tense - present oneself, to be seen, to be visible] again at Shiloh, for the LORD (YHWH) revealed [H1540 Niphal tense - to uncover, show oneself] Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word (dabar) (of the) Lord (YHWH).

What these specifically inspired terms communicate is that The Word of God, which is Yahweh, revealed Himself to Samuel as a visible person. It is YHWH Himself Who calls us to Himself. The visible YHWH came and stood near to Samuel and spoke to him.

In our next blog we will look at the calling of Jeremiah.