1 Samuel 3:9
Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Original Language Analysis
לֵ֣ךְ
H1980
לֵ֣ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
4 of 19
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֖ב
and lay down
H7901
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֖ב
and lay down
Strong's:
H7901
Word #:
5 of 19
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
וְהָיָה֙
H1961
וְהָיָה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
7 of 19
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִקְרָ֣א
and it shall be if he call
H7121
יִקְרָ֣א
and it shall be if he call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
8 of 19
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
דַּבֵּ֣ר
Speak
H1696
דַּבֵּ֣ר
Speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
11 of 19
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֔ה
LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שֹׁמֵ֖עַ
heareth
H8085
שֹׁמֵ֖עַ
heareth
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
14 of 19
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ
H1980
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
16 of 19
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Exodus 20:19And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.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 85:8I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.Acts 9:6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Historical Context
The response formula Eli provides became paradigmatic for prophetic receptivity. Similar language appears in prophetic call narratives throughout Scripture. Isaiah's 'Here am I; send me' (6:8) follows this pattern of available servanthood.
Questions for Reflection
- What posture of heart and mind does 'Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth' represent?
- Who has taught you how to listen for God's voice?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Eli's instruction provides the proper response formula: 'Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth.' This response positions Samuel correctly - as servant awaiting the Master's word. The structure reverses Samuel's earlier mistake of speaking before listening. Eli offers Samuel what he himself has apparently lost - knowledge of how to receive divine revelation. The instruction to 'lie down' indicates patient waiting; the response formula indicates humble receptivity. Eli's mentoring in this moment accomplishes something his years of compromised priesthood could not.