1 Samuel – Chapter 3

Old Testament21 Verses

Chapter Summary

1 Samuel 3 opens with the words: "Now the child Samuel ministered to the Lord before Heli, and the word of the Lord was precious in those days, there was no manifest vision." Samuel stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 21 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and repentance and conversion. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Now the child Samuel ministered to the Lord before Heli, and the word of the Lord was precious in those days, there was no manifest vision.

2And it came to pass one day when Heli lay in his place, and his eyes were grown dim, that he could not see:

3Before the lamp of God went out, Samuel slept in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.

4And the Lord called Samuel. And he answered: Here am I.

5And he ran to Heli, and said: Here am I: for thou didst call me. He said: I did not call: go back and sleep. And he went and slept.

6And the Lord called Samuel again. And Samuel arose and went to Heli, and said: Here am I: for thou calledst me. He answered: I did not call thee, my son: return and sleep.

7Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither had the word of the Lord been revealed to him.

8And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose up and went to Heli,

9And said: Here am I: for thou didst call me. Then Heli understood that the Lord called the child, and he said to Samuel: Go, and sleep: and if he shall call thee any more, thou shalt say: Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went, and slept in his place.

10And the Lord came, and stood, and he called, as he had called the other times, Samuel, Samuel. And Samuel said: Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.

11And the Lord said to Samuel: Behold I do a thing in Israel: and whosoever shall hear it, both his ears shall tingle.

12In that day I will raise up against Heli all the things I have spoken concerning his house: I will begin, and I will make an end.

13For I have foretold unto him, that I will judge his house for ever, for iniquity, because he knew that his sons did wickedly, and did not chastise them.

14Therefore have I sworn to the house of Heli, that the iniquity of his house shall not be expiated with victims nor offerings for ever.

15And Samuel slept till morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to tell the vision to Heli.

16Then Heli called Samuel, and said: Samuel, my son. And he answered: Here am I.

17And he asked him: What is the word that the Lord hath spoken to thee? I beseech thee hide it not from me. May God do so and so to thee, and add so and so, if thou hide from me one word of all that were said to thee.

18So Samuel told him all the words, and did not hide them from him. And he answered: It is the Lord: let him do what is good in his sight.

19And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and not one of his words fell to the ground.

20And all Israel, from Dan to Bersabee, knew that Samuel was a faithful prophet of the Lord.

21And the Lord again appeared in Silo, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Silo, according to the word of the Lord. And the word of Samuel came to pass to all Israel.

Important Verses in 1 Samuel 3

Now the child Samuel ministered to the Lord before Heli, and the word of the Lord was precious in those days, there was no manifest vision.

1 Samuel 3:1

And the Lord called Samuel. And he answered: Here am I.

1 Samuel 3:4

And he asked him: What is the word that the Lord hath spoken to thee? I beseech thee hide it not from me. May God do so and so to thee, and add so and so, if thou hide from me one word of all that were said to thee.

1 Samuel 3:17

And all Israel, from Dan to Bersabee, knew that Samuel was a faithful prophet of the Lord.

1 Samuel 3:20

Historical Context

1 Samuel belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for israel reflecting on the origins and meaning of kingship under God. Chapter 3 of 31 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 21 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Samuel appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "Now the child Samuel ministered to the Lord before Heli, and the word of the Lord was precious in those days, there was…" The chapter ends with: "And the Lord again appeared in Silo, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Silo, according to the word of the…" The wider setting of 1 Samuel is this: First Samuel narrates Israel's transition from the age of the judges to the monarchy: the birth and call of Samuel, the demand for a king, the tragic reign of Saul, and the rise of David. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Events of the 11th century BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile.

Who Wrote It

Traditions associated with Samuel, Nathan, and Gad, compiled by later inspired editors

When It Was Written

Events of the 11th century BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within the transition from judges to monarchy. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Now the child Samuel ministered to the Lord before Heli, and the word of the Lord was precious in those days, there was no manifest vision." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads 1 Samuel 3 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the anointing of kings prefigures Christ, the Anointed One (CIC 436). St. Basil the Great and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 385).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • True conversion means turning away from sin and returning to God with our whole heart.
  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.

People in This Chapter

Samuel22 mentions

Reflection for Today

The early section of 1 Samuel—Chapter 3 of 31—opens a particular moment in the story of the transition from judges to monarchy.

According to Catholic teaching, the anointing of kings prefigures Christ, the Anointed One (CIC 436). This chapter especially highlights the role of the sacraments in sanctification, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 756).

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 1032) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 Samuel Chapter 3 about?

1 Samuel 3 contains 21 verses. It opens with "Now the child Samuel ministered to the Lord before Heli, and the word of the Lord was precious in those days, there was…" and closes with "And the Lord again appeared in Silo, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Silo, according to the word of the…". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in 1 Samuel 3?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Now the child Samuel ministered to the Lord before Heli, and the word of the Lord was precious in those days, there was no manifest vision." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 1 Samuel Chapter 3?

This chapter mentions Samuel.

Who wrote 1 Samuel and when?

Traditions associated with Samuel, Nathan, and Gad, compiled by later inspired editors. Events of the 11th century BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile.

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