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1 Samuel 3 · a question people ask

How could Samuel serve in the LORD's house and not know the LORD?

In the text

The verse itself sets two things side by side: "Now Samuel didn’t yet know the LORD, neither was the LORD’s word yet revealed to him" (3:7). It doesn't say more about what knowing the LORD meant for him. The chapter sets the verse between the second call and the third (3:6-8), while Samuel is still going to Eli. By the end of the chapter it has changed: "the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the LORD’s word" (3:21). Chapter 2 said of Eli's sons, "They didn’t know the LORD" (2:12) (tap know). In Hebrew both verses use the same verb with the LORD as its object; 2:12 says not, and 3:7 says not yet.

The verses

“Now Samuel didn’t yet know the LORD, neither was the LORD’s word yet revealed to him.”
1 Samuel 3:7 · World English Bible
“The LORD called yet again, “Samuel!” Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” He answered, “I didn’t call, my son. Lie down again.” Now Samuel didn’t yet know the LORD, neither was the LORD’s word yet revealed to him. The LORD called Samuel again the third time. He arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.”
1 Samuel 3:6-8 · World English Bible
“The LORD appeared again in Shiloh; for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the LORD’s word.”
1 Samuel 3:21 · World English Bible
“Now the sons of Eli were wicked men. They didn’t know the LORD.”
1 Samuel 2:12 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 1 Samuel 3

1 Samuel 3: Your servant hears

Eli told Samuel to say, "Speak, LORD; for your servant hears" (3:9), but Samuel answered, "Speak; for your servant hears" (3:10). And the chapter that opens with "The LORD’s word was rare in those days" (3:1) closes with the LORD revealing himself to Samuel "by the LORD’s word" (3:21).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions