3:3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out. This notice may be simply a time reference (Ex. 27:20–21; Lev. 24:1–4). The use of “lamp” as a metaphor of hope and promise is very common (2 Sam. 21:17; 22:29; 1 Kin. 11:36; 15:4; Job 18:5; Ps. 132:17; Prov. 13:9), and is possible here. With Samuel on the scene, there is still a flicker of hope.

temple. See note 1:9.

ark of God. Elsewhere called “the ark of the testimony” and “the ark of the covenant,” this chest of acacia wood overlaid with gold is described in Ex. 25:10–22. The ark is important in chs. 4–6 and again in 2 Sam. 6.