Definition: And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here [am] I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 3:6. It’s a really important moment in the story of God choosing Samuel to be his prophet. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Samuel is saying: “I’ve been called by God, and you’re telling me I haven’t been called yet. I don’t know why you’re calling me.” Let’s unpack it a little further: “And the LORD called yet again…” : This tells us that God is actively working to bring Samuel into this role. “…Samuel arose and went to Eli…” : Samuel was traveling to his father, Eli, who was the high priest of Israel. “And he answered, Here [am] I; for thou didst call me.” : This is where it gets interesting. Samuel directly responds to Eli's question, saying, “I didn’t call me.” What does this mean ? It suggests a few things: He’s surprised: Samuel was expecting to be called. He wasn’t prepared for this. He’s questioning Eli’s authority: Eli is the leader of the priests, and he's essentially telling Samuel that he's wrong – he’s not the one God has chosen. Why is this a big deal? This moment sets up a conflict. God is actively choosing Samuel to be a prophet, and Eli isn’t allowing it. It’s a key step in God's plan to guide Israel and establish His message. It highlights the tension between God's will and human resistance. In short: Samuel is asserting his independence and rejecting Eli's claim that he was called. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of this passage in a broader context (like the story of Israel’s early history)?