3:1 the word of the Lord was rare. The Lord’s withholding His word is a sign of His displeasure (14:37; Ps. 74:9; Lam. 2:9; Amos 8:11, 12). Conversely, His communication to Samuel is a sign of favor.

vision. The Hebrew word often denotes an auditory encounter rather than a visual one. Such revelations were necessary for the well-being of God’s people (Prov. 29:18).