1 Samuel 3:10

“And the Lord came, and stood, etc.] At the place where Samuel lay; either there was, as Kimchi, a form before his eyes in the vision of prophecy, some visible corporeal shape assumed; or a bright splendour an illustrious appearance of the glory of God; or it may be rather the voice, which before seemed to be at some distance whereabout Eli lay; it now seemed nearer, and was as the voice of one just by him, that sounded in his ears: and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel: repeating his name, in order the more to excite his attention: then Samuel answered, speak, for thy servant heareth; he leaves out the word Lord, which Eli bid him use; for he might be afraid as yet to make mention of…”

“A personal presence, not a mere voice, or impression upon Samuel’s mind, is here distinctly indicated. (Compare Genesis 12:7 note; Revelation 1:1; Revelation 22:16.) return to 'Top of Page'”

“Came and stood - Before, he spake to him at a distance, even from the holy oracle between the cherubim: but now, to prevent all farther mistake, the voice came near to him, as if the person speaking had been standing near him. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 3:12”

“3:10 The doubling of the name calls attention to the seriousness of the moment (cp. Gen 22:11; Exod 3:4; Matt 27:46; Luke 22:31; Acts 9:4). • Samuel omits “Lord” (see 1 Sam 3:9) from his response either out of reverence for the name or because of a lingering uncertainty about who was speaking.”

“the Lord came: This seems to imply a visible appearance, as well as an audible voice. as at other: Sa1 3:4-6, Sa1 3:8; Samuel did not now rise and run as before, when thought he Eli called, but lay still and listened. All must be silent, when God speaks. Observe, however, Samuel in his reply left out one word. he did not say, Speak, Lord, but only Speak, for thy servant heareth; perhaps, as Bp. Patrick suggests, out of uncertainty, whether it was God that spake to him or not. However, by this answer way was made for the message he was now to receive, and Samuel was brought acquainted with the words of God and visions of the Almighty. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 3:11”

“When Samuel had lain down again, "Jehovah came and stood," sc., before Samuel. These words show that the revelation of God was an objectively real affair, and not a mere dream of Samuel's. "And he called to him as at other times" (see Num 24:1; Jdg 16:20), etc.). When Samuel replied in accordance with Eli's instructions, the Lord announced to him that He would carry out the judgment that had been threatened against the house of Eli ( Sa1 3:11-14). "Behold, I do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle," sc., with horror (see Kg2 21:12; Jer 19:3; Hab 1:5). 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 3:12”