Bible Strands
1 Samuel 3:10
Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD approaches Samuel in the sanctuary and calls his name twice, prompting Samuel to reply with readiness to receive instruction. This moment follows Eli’s corrective instruction in 1 Samuel 3:9 and precedes the judgment oracle in 1 Samuel 3:11.
The words — The phrase כְּפַעַם בְּפַעַם (khe./fa.'am- be./Fa.'am) literally renders “as time upon time,” denoting the established pattern of divine calling. The verb וַיִּתְיַצֵּב (va/i.yit.ya.Tzav) means “he stood,” marking a deliberate, stationary divine presence.
The thread — The call-and-response structure repeats in 1 Samuel 3:4 and 1 Samuel 3:8, creating a threefold narrative progression. This pattern anchors the passage within the broader prophetic commissioning motif of 1 Samuel 3.
Why it lands — The text requires immediate, unmediated attention to divine speech rather than personal interpretation or delay. It demands a posture of active listening when confronted with authoritative instruction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 3:8 Once again, for the third time, the LORD called to Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” Then Eli realized that it was the LORD who was calling the boy.
- 1 Samuel 3:4 Then the LORD called to Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.”