1 Samuel 3:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Eli calls Samuel, addressing him tenderly as 'my son,' and Samuel answers, Here am I.
What Does 1 Samuel 3:16 Mean?
Sensing that the boy has heard from God, Eli takes the initiative and calls him, again with the affectionate 'my son.' Samuel responds with his familiar, ready words, 'Here am I,' the same answer he had given through the night.
Eli's gentleness even as he seeks the word that will condemn his house is striking. He does not flee the truth but invites it. And Samuel's steady 'Here am I' shows a servant available not only to God but to the one God has placed over him. Such openness on both sides honors the truth, however hard it proves to be.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 3:16
What does 1 Samuel 3:16 mean?
Eli calls Samuel, addressing him tenderly as 'my son,' and Samuel answers, Here am I.