1 Samuel 3:18

And Samuel tolde him euery whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: Let him doe what seemeth him good. 1 Samuel 3:18 (KJV)

The verse occurs at a time when the word of the Lord was rare and visions were infrequent (1 Samuel 3:1). Samuel was a young boy serving in the tabernacle under the high priest Eli. In this moment Samuel recounts to Eli the message he received after hearing a voice that he at first did not recognize as God’s. Eli instructed Samuel to answer, “Speak, LORD, for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:9‑10), and the Lord then delivered a judgment concerning Eli’s household (1 Samuel 3:11‑14).

The first clause of the verse, “And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him,” highlights Samuel’s integrity and his commitment to relay the divine message completely, even though the content was grave and could affect Eli and his family. Samuel did not withhold any part of what the Lord had spoken.

Eli’s reply, “It is the LORD; let him do that which seems good unto him,” (rendered in the KJV as “It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good”) shows his acceptance of God’s authority. Eli acknowledges that the decision belongs to the Lord and submits to whatever the Lord deems good, demonstrating recognition of divine sovereignty and a willingness to accept divine discipline.

From this passage we draw several lessons. First, honesty and integrity are essential in communicating God’s truth; believers are called to convey the message without distortion or omission. Second, submission to God’s will is vital, even when the circumstances are painful or challenging, trusting that God’s wisdom governs all outcomes. Third, the passage affirms God’s supreme sovereignty over our lives, urging reverence toward His supreme power. Finally, accepting divine discipline is an expression of God’s love, offering an opportunity for growth and transformation as we are molded into His image.