1 Samuel 3:11

11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel.

1 Samuel 3:11 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 3:11

And the Lord said to Samuel
The voice of the Lord continued speaking to him: behold,

I will do a thing in Israel;
which may be particularly interpreted of the taking of the ark, and the slaying of the two sons of Eli; and which is elsewhere represented as the Lord's doing, for the sins of Eli's family, ( Psalms 78:61 Psalms 78:62 )

at which both the ears of everyone that heareth it shall tingle;
be struck with horror and amazement, and quite stunned, and know not what to think or say, like persons surprised with a violent clap of thunder, which strikes their ears so strongly, that the noise of it is not soon gone from them; this was verified in Eli, and in his daughter-in-law particularly, who, at the news of the above things, the one fell backwards and broke his neck, and the other fell into labour and died; and all Israel were struck with astonishment at these things.

1 Samuel 3:11 In-Context

9 So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed.

10 And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel.

12 I am going to carry out all my threats against Eli and his family, from beginning to end.

13 I have warned him that judgment is coming upon his family forever, because his sons are blaspheming God and he hasn’t disciplined them.