And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.

1 SAMUEL 3:15KJV
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1 Samuel 3:15 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 3:15 mean?

1 Samuel 3:15 describes how Samuel stayed in bed until morning, then got up and opened the doors of the Lord’s house, but he was afraid to tell Eli about the vision he had received. The verse shows Samuel’s hesitation and fear about sharing a difficult message from God with Eli.

Samuel was a young boy serving in the temple under Eli, the priest. The night before, God had spoken to Samuel for the first time, giving him a serious message about Eli’s family. In the morning, Samuel did his usual duties, but he was anxious about telling Eli what God had revealed, showing the weight and seriousness of the message.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 3:15

  • "feared" (יָרֵא, yare): This word often means to be afraid or to have deep respect. Here, it highlights Samuel’s real anxiety and reluctance, not just simple nervousness, about delivering God’s message to his mentor.
  • "vision" (מַרְאָה, mar’eh): This word refers to a supernatural revelation or appearance. The use of this word underlines that what Samuel received was not just a dream or thought, but a clear and significant message from God.

Why 1 Samuel 3:15 matters

  • This verse makes clear that Samuel was not eager or bold about sharing God’s message, but felt real fear, which helps us understand his humility and the seriousness of his role.
  • The verse connects to the larger story, showing the difficult position Samuel was in as a young servant who had to deliver hard truth to someone in authority over him.
  • It highlights the beginning of Samuel’s prophetic ministry, showing that hearing from God could be a heavy and challenging responsibility, not just an honor.

Where else these words appear

“vision” Hebrew H4759 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 46:2 And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.
  • Ezekiel 1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
  • Ezekiel 43:3 And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face.

“Eli” Hebrew H5941 · used in 30 verses

  • 1 Samuel 1:3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.
  • 1 Samuel 2:20 And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.
  • 1 Samuel 3:14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

“doors” Hebrew H1817 · used in 78 verses

  • Genesis 19:6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,
  • 2 Kings 4:5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.
  • Nehemiah 13:19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.

“Samuel” Hebrew H8050 · used in 120 verses

  • Numbers 34:20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
  • 1 Samuel 9:17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.
  • 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.