And the LORD continued to appear at ShilohShiloh was a significant religious center in ancient Israel, serving as the location of the Tabernacle before the establishment of the Temple in Jerusalem. It was here that the Ark of the Covenant was housed, making it a focal point for worship and divine encounters. The continued appearance of the LORD at Shiloh signifies His ongoing presence and favor, despite the spiritual decline during the period of the Judges. This phrase underscores the faithfulness of God in maintaining a relationship with His people, even when they stray. The divine appearances at Shiloh also highlight the importance of this location in Israel's history, as it was a place where God chose to reveal Himself and communicate His will.
because there He revealed Himself to Samuel
Samuel was a pivotal figure in Israel's history, serving as the last judge, a prophet, and a priest. His role in transitioning Israel from a loose confederation of tribes to a unified monarchy under Saul and David was crucial. The revelation of God to Samuel marks the beginning of his prophetic ministry, which would have a lasting impact on the nation. This revelation is significant because it represents a shift from the period of the Judges, characterized by sporadic leadership and moral chaos, to a time of prophetic guidance and divine order. Samuel's ability to hear and understand God's voice set him apart as a leader who would faithfully convey God's messages to the people.
by His word
The phrase "by His word" emphasizes the means through which God chose to reveal Himself to Samuel. In the biblical context, God's word is powerful and creative, as seen in the Genesis account of creation. It is also authoritative and instructive, providing guidance and direction for His people. The revelation of God through His word to Samuel highlights the importance of divine communication in guiding the nation of Israel. This method of revelation also foreshadows the role of Jesus Christ, who is described as the Word made flesh in the New Testament. Just as God revealed Himself to Samuel through His word, He ultimately revealed Himself to humanity through Jesus, the living Word.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who reveals Himself to His people and communicates His will.
2.
SamuelA young prophet and judge in Israel, dedicated to the LORD by his mother Hannah, and serving under Eli the priest.
3.
ShilohA significant religious center in Israel during this period, where the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant were located.
4.
The Word of the LORDThe divine communication and revelation given to Samuel, marking him as a true prophet of God.
Teaching Points
Divine RevelationGod reveals Himself to those who are attentive and willing to listen. Samuel's experience at Shiloh reminds us of the importance of being open to God's voice in our lives.
The Role of the ProphetSamuel's role as a prophet underscores the importance of faithfully delivering God's message. We are called to be messengers of God's truth in our own contexts.
The Significance of PlaceShiloh, as a place of worship and revelation, teaches us about the importance of sacred spaces where we can encounter God. We should seek out and cherish places where we can connect with Him.
Continuity of God's PresenceThe LORD's continued appearance at Shiloh signifies His ongoing presence and faithfulness. We can trust that God is always with us, guiding and revealing His will.
The Word of the LORDThe phrase "by the word of the LORD" emphasizes the power and authority of God's word. We should prioritize Scripture in our lives as the primary means through which God speaks to us today.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 3:21?
2.How does God revealing Himself in 1 Samuel 3:21 inspire your daily faith?
3.What role does "the word of the LORD" play in your life today?
4.How can you ensure you are receptive to God's revelations like Samuel?
5.Compare God's revelation in 1 Samuel 3:21 with Hebrews 1:1-2. What similarities exist?
6.How can you cultivate a heart ready to receive God's word like Samuel?
7.How does 1 Samuel 3:21 demonstrate God's communication with humanity?
8.What is the significance of God revealing Himself in Shiloh in 1 Samuel 3:21?
9.How does 1 Samuel 3:21 relate to the theme of divine revelation?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 3?
11.How did Samuel lead Israel and anoint its first kings?
12.1 Samuel 3:1 – How can “the word of the Lord” be rare when earlier biblical accounts suggest ongoing divine revelations?
13.Joshua 18:1 - Is there historical or archaeological evidence confirming that 'all the congregation of the children of Israel' actually gathered at Shiloh?
14.1 Samuel 3:7 - How could a child with no prior knowledge of God accurately identify and respond to a supernatural voice?What Does 1 Samuel 3:21 Mean
And the LORD• The verse opens by putting the spotlight squarely on God, not on Samuel. Just as inGenesis 1:1, the initiative is His.
• “The LORD” (“YHWH”) is the covenant name revealed to Moses (Exodus 3:14–15), stressing God’s faithfulness to act for His people.
• This same Lord had already called Samuel by name earlier in the chapter, showing a personal, relational God (1 Samuel 3:10; compareJohn 10:3).
continued to appear• The phrase points to an ongoing pattern, not a one-time event. Earlier, “the word of the LORD was rare” (1 Samuel 3:1), but now that drought is ending.
• God’s consistent appearances echo His repeated visits to the patriarchs (Genesis 26:2; 35:9) and anticipate His promise never to leave nor forsake (Hebrews 13:5).
• For Israel, this meant guidance and correction were once again flowing; for us, it reminds us that God’s self-revelation in Scripture is steady and reliable (2 Peter 1:19).
at Shiloh• Shiloh housed the tabernacle and the ark (Joshua 18:1;1 Samuel 1:3). It functioned as Israel’s worship center before Jerusalem.
• By choosing Shiloh, God honored the place where sacrifices and prayers had been offered (1 Samuel 1:24-28).
• Jeremiah later points back to Shiloh as a warning (Jeremiah 7:12-14), underlining that privilege brings responsibility.
because there He revealed Himself• God’s “appearance” is tied to self-revelation. He is not distant or hidden; He makes Himself known (Amos 3:7;John 14:21).
• Revelation is always purposeful—God shows Himself so His people can know His character and follow His ways (Psalm 103:7).
• This continues the pattern of redemptive history: God acts, then explains His actions so we can respond in faith (Exodus 6:2-8).
to Samuel• The revelation is personal. Samuel, still a young man, becomes God’s chosen mouthpiece (1 Samuel 2:35;Jeremiah 1:6-9).
• God often uses unlikely servants to shame human pride (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).
• Samuel’s growth “in stature and favor with the LORD and with men” (1 Samuel 2:26; compareLuke 2:52) shows what God can do with a surrendered life.
by His word• The channel of revelation is explicitly “His word.” Even divine appearances serve to communicate authoritative truth (Psalm 119:89).
•Hebrews 1:1-2 captures this principle: “God, having spoken at many times and in various ways… has spoken to us by His Son.”
• The reliability of God’s word is underscored in1 Samuel 3:19—“The LORD let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.”
• For believers today, Scripture remains the primary means by which God reveals Himself (2 Timothy 3:16-17;Isaiah 55:11).
summary1 Samuel 3:21 assures us that the covenant God deliberately, continually, and verbally reveals Himself. He chose Shiloh as the setting, Samuel as the servant, and His word as the vehicle. The verse invites us to trust that the same faithful Lord still speaks through His written word, guiding those who, like Samuel, are ready to listen and obey.
Verse 21. -
And Jehovah appeared again. Literally, "added to appear,"
i.e. revealed himself from time to time on all fit occasions.
To appear, literally, "to be seen," is the verb used of waking vision (see on ver. 15).
By the word of Jehovah. Many of the old commentators refer this to the second person of the Holy Trinity, but he is himself Jehovah, as we affirm in the Te Deum: "We believe thee to be the Lord,"
i.e. the Jehovah of the Old Testament, usually translated, in deference to a Jewish superstition, "the LORD." As the Word, Christ is "the Word of God." The phrase really means, "by prophetic inspiration" revealing to Samuel the truth (comp.
Isaiah 51:16;
Jeremiah 1:9).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And the LORDיְהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelcontinuedוַיֹּ֥סֶף(way·yō·sep̄)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3254:To add, augmentto appearלְהֵרָאֹ֣ה(lə·hê·rā·’ōh)Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7200:To seeat Shiloh,בְשִׁלֹ֑ה(ḇə·ši·lōh)Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7887:Shiloh -- a city in Ephraimbecauseכִּֽי־(kî-)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionthereבְּשִׁל֖וֹ(bə·ši·lōw)Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7887:Shiloh -- a city in EphraimHeיְהוָ֧ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelrevealed Himselfנִגְלָ֨ה(niḡ·lāh)Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1540:To denude, to exile, to revealtoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toSamuelשְׁמוּאֵ֛ל(šə·mū·’êl)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050:Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israelby Hisיְהוָֽה׃(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelword.בִּדְבַ֥ר(biḏ·ḇar)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a cause
Links
1 Samuel 3:21 NIV1 Samuel 3:21 NLT1 Samuel 3:21 ESV1 Samuel 3:21 NASB1 Samuel 3:21 KJV
1 Samuel 3:21 BibleApps.com1 Samuel 3:21 Biblia Paralela1 Samuel 3:21 Chinese Bible1 Samuel 3:21 French Bible1 Samuel 3:21 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Samuel 3:21 Yahweh appeared again in Shiloh (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) 
