1 Samuel 3:4
That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקְרָ֧א
called
H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֧א
called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 6
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יְהוָ֛ה
That the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
That the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 6
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Isaiah 6:8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.Psalms 99:6Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.Exodus 3:4And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.Genesis 22:1And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
Historical Context
The divine address by name appears at crucial moments in biblical narrative. Jacob (Genesis 46:2), Moses (Exodus 3:4), and others received personal address from God. The doubled name ('Samuel, Samuel' in verse 10) intensifies the call, as with Abraham (Genesis 22:11) and Moses (Exodus 3:4).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish God's voice from your own thoughts or others' opinions?
- What does your response to God's call reveal about your availability?
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Analysis & Commentary
The divine call is simple and personal: 'Samuel.' God knows and speaks the name given by Hannah, meaning 'heard of God.' The boy's response 'Here am I' (hinneni) uses the classic formula of availability seen throughout Scripture (Abraham in Genesis 22:1; Moses in Exodus 3:4; Isaiah in Isaiah 6:8). Samuel's response is correct but misdirected - he assumes Eli is calling. Hearing God's voice requires learning to recognize it, distinguishing it from human voices and internal thoughts. Samuel's training has only begun.