Then the LORD called to Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.”
Parallel translations
- WEB Yahweh called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.”
- KJV That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
- NKJV that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!”
- NASB that the Lord called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.”
- NLT Suddenly the Lord called out, “Samuel!” “Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The Lord called Samuel, who answered, 'Here I am.' God personally addresses the young servant.
Overview
God's call comes directly and by name, initiating Samuel's prophetic ministry. Samuel's ready 'Here I am' shows a willing heart, though he does not yet know the Lord. This moment marks the breaking of the silence and the beginning of God's renewed speaking to Israel through a chosen prophet.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Gen 22:1Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered.
- 1 Cor 12:6–11There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people.
- Ps 99:6Moses and Aaron were among His priests; Samuel was among those who called on His name. They called to the LORD and He answered.
- Isa 6:8Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”
- Exod 3:4When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered.
- Gal 1:15–16But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased
- 1 Cor 12:28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.
- Acts 9:4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Christ at the center
The rise of the anointed king after Israel's failed first choice points to the true Anointed One (Messiah means 'anointed'), the shepherd-king after God's own heart from Bethlehem.
How 1 Samuel 3:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.