Bible Strands
1 Samuel 3:16
but Eli called to him and said, “Samuel, my son.” “Here I am,” answered Samuel.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Eli calls out to Samuel in the temple after Samuel has hidden a divine vision and lain awake until morning. Samuel answers his master’s summons directly. The words — וַ/יִּקְרָ֤א (va/i.yik.Ra') means “and he called,” and בְּנִ֑/י (be.N/i) translates literally to “my son.” These terms mark Eli’s urgent summons and paternal address. The thread — The text records the moment a young recipient yields to an elder’s authority before receiving revelation. This pattern of calling and answering recurs in priestly and prophetic transitions throughout the historical books. Why it lands — The passage demands immediate, unhesitating obedience to spiritual authority. A reader must recognize that receiving divine communication requires submitting to established oversight before claiming personal revelation.
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The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.