Bible Strands
1 Samuel 3:11
Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do something in Israel at which the ears of all who hear it will tingle.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Yahweh speaks to Samuel immediately after Samuel answers His third call. The declaration occurs during a leadership transition as judgment against Eli’s house is about to unfold.
The words — עֹשֶׂה ('o.Seh) = [am] about to do, paired with דָבָר (da.Var) = a thing/matter. The phrasing marks the announcement as a specific, imminent divine action rather than a general warning.
The thread — The pattern of staggering divine intervention runs through Habakkuk 1:5, 2 Kings 21:12, and Jeremiah 19:3, where similar language signals impending national calamity that defies expectation.
Why it lands — The text states that God will execute an act so severe it will cause visceral shock to every listener. It demands recognition that divine speech carries irreversible execution and requires immediate, unflinching obedience to the revealed message.
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 said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
Cross-references
- Habakkuk 1:5 “Look at the nations and observe—be utterly astounded! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe even if someone told you.
- 2 Kings 21:12 this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah that the news will reverberate in the ears of all who hear it.
- Jeremiah 19:3 saying, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah and residents of Jerusalem. This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on this place that the ears of all who hear of it will ring,
- Acts 13:41 ‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”
- Amos 3:6 If a ram’s horn sounds in a city, do the people not tremble? If calamity comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?
- Luke 21:26 Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
- Isaiah 28:19 As often as it passes through, it will carry you away; it will sweep through morning after morning, by day and by night.” The understanding of this message will bring sheer terror.
- Isaiah 29:14 Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”