Chapter
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

1 Samuel 3:12

ESV On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end.
NIV At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end.
NASB On that day I will carry out against Eli everything that I have spoken in regard to his house, from beginning to end.
CSB On that day I will carry out against Eli everything I said about his family, from beginning to end.
NLT I am going to carry out all my threats against Eli and his family, from beginning to end.
KJV In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
NKJV In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end.

What does 1 Samuel 3:12 mean?

The Lord is revealing a prophecy to Samuel in the middle of the night. This is the first time the Lord has ever revealed Himself in a personal way to Samuel, who is still just a "boy" (1 Samuel 3:1, 7).

To make it even heavier, this is no easy prophecy. For one thing, the Lord has said that the news of what He is about to describe to Samuel will "make the [ears] of everyone who hears it" ring as if they've been struck (1 Samuel 3:11). In other words, this is a national prophecy with enormous consequences. Second, it's bad news about Samuel's mentor and guardian: Eli, the priest of Israel.

The Lord tells Samuel that on the day He does this thing, He will do everything He has spoken against Eli and his house, meaning his descendants. The Lord will bring it all to pass from start to finish. This will not be a partial fulfillment. God will leave none of the judgment undone. It's unknown whether Samuel or anyone else knew anything about the prior revelation from an unnamed prophet. That messenger of the Lord predicted that judgment was coming against Eli's household. What the Lord says to Samuel here is a confirmation of that prophecy (1 Samuel 2:27–36).
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: