John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And it came to pass at that time , etc.] When the word of the Lord was scarce and precious, and there was no open vision; or, as Ben Gersom, the same day the man of God came to Eli at night, the following affair happened: when Eli was laid down in his place ; on his bed to sleep, in one of the chambers or apartments of the tabernacle; for as there were such in the temple for the priests, so in that: and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see ; to help himself to anything he might want when in bed; which seems to be the reason Samuel lay near him, and why, when he heard his voice, he immediately ran to him, supposing he needed his assistance. Some, as Kimchi and others, understand this not of the eyes of his body, but of his mind; and that the Holy Spirit, as a spirit of prophecy, was departing from him, because of his connivance at the sins of his sons; and so the following prophecy came not to him, but to Samuel.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - The call which Divine grace designs shall be made effectual; will be repeated till it is so, till we come to the call. Eli, perceiving tha it was the voice of God that Samuel heard, instructed him what to say Though it was a disgrace to Eli, for God's call to be directed to Samuel, yet he told him how to meet it. Thus the elder should do their utmost to assist and improve the younger that are rising up. Let u never fail to teach those who are coming after us, even such as wil soon be preferred before us, Joh 1:30. Good words should be put int children's mouths betimes, by which they may be prepared to lear Divine things, and be trained up to regard them.
Original Hebrew ויהי1961 ביום3117 ההוא1931 ועלי5941 שׁכב7901 במקמו4725 ועינו5869 החלו2490 כהות3544 לא3808 יוכל3201 לראות׃7200
