1 Samuel 3:4-8
called ... Samuel <07121 08050> [called Samuel.]
Samuel <08050> [Now Samuel.]
Or, Thus did Samuel before he knew the Lord, and before the word of the Lord was revealed unto him.
yet ............ yet <02962> [did not yet.]
Samuel was not destitute of the knowledge of God, in that sense which implies the total absence of true piety, as Eli's sons were; for he knew and worshipped the God of Israel: but he did not know him as communicating special revelations of his will to him, in the manner in which he made it known to the prophets.
third <07992> [the third.]
Although Samuel did not apprehend the way in which God reveals himself to his servants the prophets--by the "still small voice"--yet when this direct communication from the Almighty was made the third time, in a way altogether new and strange to him, it seems astonishing that he did not immediately apprehend. Perhaps he would have been sooner aware of a divine revelation, had it come in a dream or a vision. Those who have the greatest knowledge of divine things, should remember the time when they were as babes, unskilful in the word of righteousness. # 1Co 13:11,12
