1 Samuel Chapter 3 · Verse 18

Authorized King James Version

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And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.

Original Language Analysis

וַיַּגֶּד told H5046
וַיַּגֶּד told
Strong's: H5046
Word #: 1 of 15
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
ל֤וֹ H0
ל֤וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 2 of 15
שְׁמוּאֵל֙ And Samuel H8050
שְׁמוּאֵל֙ And Samuel
Strong's: H8050
Word #: 3 of 15
shemuel, the name of three israelites
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 5 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַדְּבָרִ֔ים him every whit H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֔ים him every whit
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 6 of 15
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
וְלֹ֥א H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 7 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כִחֵ֖ד and hid H3582
כִחֵ֖ד and hid
Strong's: H3582
Word #: 8 of 15
to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy
מִמֶּ֑נּוּ H4480
מִמֶּ֑נּוּ
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 9 of 15
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וַיֹּאמַ֕ר nothing from him And he said H559
וַיֹּאמַ֕ר nothing from him And he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 10 of 15
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֣ה It is the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה It is the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 11 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
ה֔וּא H1931
ה֔וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 12 of 15
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הַטּ֥וֹב him good H2896
הַטּ֥וֹב him good
Strong's: H2896
Word #: 13 of 15
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
בְּעֵינָ֖ו what seemeth H5869
בְּעֵינָ֖ו what seemeth
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 14 of 15
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יַֽעֲשֶֽׂה׃ let him do H6213
יַֽעֲשֶֽׂה׃ let him do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 15 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

Analysis & Commentary

Samuel tells 'every whit' (literally 'every word'), hiding nothing. Complete disclosure fulfills prophetic responsibility and responds to Eli's demand. Eli's response is remarkable: 'It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.' No protest, no pleading, no excuse - only acceptance of divine sovereignty. This submission to judgment demonstrates a kind of faith despite failure. Eli recognizes God's right to judge and accepts the verdict. His response does not reverse the judgment but reveals a heart that ultimately acknowledges divine authority.

Historical Context

Eli's response echoes Job's acceptance of divine sovereignty (Job 1:21). Such submission to God's will, even in judgment, characterizes biblical piety at its best. Eli's earlier failures make this acceptance all the more striking.

Questions for Reflection