EGW → Biblical Foundation
Select an Ellen White book from the sidebar to see each passage mapped to the Bible verses it amplifies, cites, or echoes.
Scripture Index
Ellen White & Bible Cross-Reference
1 Samuel 3:1
"And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision."
"Chapter 57—The Ark Taken by the Philistines This chapter is based on 1 Samuel 3 to 7 . Another warning was to be given to Eli's house. God could not communicate with the high priest and his sons; their sins, like a thick cloud, had shut out the presence of His Holy Spirit. But in the midst of evil the child Samuel remained true to Heaven, and the message of condemnation to the house of Eli was Samuel's commission as a prophet of the Most High. PP 581"
The EGW passage explicitly states that the chapter is based on 1 Samuel 3-7, which includes the verse provided. The passage summarizes key events and themes from those chapters.
"“The word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; and ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; that the Lord called Samuel.” Supposing the voice to be that of Eli, the child hastened to the bedside of the priest, saying, “Here am I; for thou calledst me.” The answer was, “I called not, my son; lie down again.” Three times Samuel was called, and thrice he responded in like manner. And then Eli was convinced that the mysterious call was the voice of God. The Lord had passed by His chosen servant, the man of hoary hairs, to commune with a child. This in itself was a bitter yet deserved rebuke to Eli and his house. PP 581.2"
The EGW passage directly quotes and paraphrases 1 Samuel 3:1, recounting the story of Samuel's calling and the spiritual state of Israel at the time.
1 Samuel 3:7
"Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him."
"Before receiving this message from God, “Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him;” that is, he was not acquainted with such direct manifestations of God's presence as were granted to the prophets. It was the Lord's purpose to reveal Himself in an unexpected manner, that Eli might hear of it through the surprise and inquiry of the youth. PP 582.1"
EGW directly quotes and explains 1 Samuel 3:7.
1 Samuel 3:9
"Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place."
"The language of the meek is never that of boasting. Like the child Samuel, they pray, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth” ( 1 Samuel 3:9 ). When Joshua was placed in the highest position of honor, as commander of Israel, he bade defiance to all the enemies of God. His heart was filled with noble thoughts of his great mission. Yet upon the intimation of a message from Heaven he placed himself in the position of a little child to be directed. “What saith my Lord unto his servant?” ( Joshua 5:14 ), was his response. The first words of Paul after Christ was revealed to him were, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” ( Acts 9:6 ). SL 15.1"
The EGW passage directly quotes 1 Samuel 3:9, using Samuel's prayer as an example of the language of the meek. This is a clear and intentional reference, making it an explicit allusion.
1 Samuel 3:10
"And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth."
"“Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth.” Once more the voice was heard, and the child answered, “Speak; for Thy servant heareth.” So awed was he at the thought that the great God should speak to him that he could not remember the exact words which Eli bade him say. PP 581.3"
The EGW passage directly quotes 1 Samuel 3:10, highlighting Samuel's response to God's call and his willingness to listen.
"I now confided all my sorrows and perplexities to my mother. She tenderly sympathized with and encouraged me, advising me to go for counsel to Elder Stockman, who then preached the advent doctrine in Portland. I had great confidence in him, for he was a devoted servant of Christ. Upon hearing my story, he placed his hand affectionately upon my head, saying with tears in his eyes: “Ellen, you are only a child. Yours is a most singular experience for one of your tender age. Jesus must be preparing you for some special work.” 1T 29.2"
Both passages involve a young person receiving a divine calling or message. Samuel hears God's voice, and Ellen receives encouragement and a sense of destiny from Elder Stockman. The parallel lies in the early recognition of a special purpose.
1 Samuel 3:11-14
"And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. 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. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever."
"“And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of everyone that heareth it shall tingle. 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. For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering forever.” PP 581.4"
The EGW passage directly quotes 1 Samuel 3:11-14, recounting God's judgment against Eli's house due to his sons' wickedness and his failure to restrain them.
1 Samuel 3:13
"For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not."
Eli had greatly erred in permitting his sons to minister in holy office. By excusing their course, on one pretext and another, he became blinded to their sins; but at last they reached a pass where he could no longer hide his eyes from the crimes of his sons. The people complained of their violent deeds, and the high priest was grieved and distressed. He dared remain silent no longer. But his sons had been brought up to think of no one but themselves, and now they cared for no one else. They saw the grief of their father, but their hard hearts were not touched. They heard his mild admonitions, but they were not impressed, nor would they change their evil course though warned of the consequences of their sins. Had Eli dealt justly with his wicked sons, they would have been rejected from the priestly office and punished with death. Dreading thus to bring public disgrace and condemnation upon them, he sustained them in the most sacred positions of trust. He still permitted them to mingle …
Both passages discuss Eli's failure to restrain his sons and the consequences thereof. The EGW passage elaborates on Eli's errors and the impact on his sons, while 1 Samuel 3:13 states God's judgment for his failure.
Eli might have restrained his wicked sons, but he feared their displeasure. He suffered them to go on in their rebellion, until they became a curse to Israel. Parents are required to restrain their children. The salvation of children depends very much upon the course pursued by the parents. In their mistaken love and fondness for their children, many parents indulge them to their hurt, nourish their pride, and put upon them trimmings and ornaments which make them vain, and lead them to think that dress makes the lady or gentleman. But a short acquaintance convinces those with whom they associate that an outside appearance is not sufficient to hide the deformity of a heart void of the Christian graces, but filled with self-love, haughtiness, and uncontrolled passions. Those who love meekness, humility, and virtue, should shun such society, even if it be Sabbathkeepers’ children. Their company is poisonous; their influence leads to death. Parents realize not the destructive influence of …
EGW explicitly mentions Eli and his sons, directly referencing the biblical narrative in 1 Samuel 3:13. The core issue of parental failure to restrain children is central to both passages.
"God held Eli, as a priest and judge of Israel, accountable for the moral and religious standing of his people, and in a special sense for the character of his sons. He should first have attempted to restrain evil by mild measures; but if these did not avail, he should have subdued the wrong by the severest means. He incurred the Lord's displeasure by not reproving sin and executing justice upon the sinner. He could not be depended upon to keep Israel pure. Those who have too little courage to reprove wrong, or who through indolence or lack of interest make no earnest effort to purify the family or the church of God, are held accountable for the evil that may result from their neglect of duty. We are just as responsible for evils that we might have checked in others by exercise of parental or pastoral authority as if the acts had been our own. PP 578.2"
The EGW passage directly references and expands upon the judgment pronounced upon Eli in 1 Samuel 3:13, making it more than just a thematic parallel.
"God charged Eli with honoring his sons above the Lord. Eli had permitted the offering appointed by God as a blessing to Israel to be made a thing of abhorrence, rather than bring his sons to shame for their impious and abominable practices. Those who follow their own inclination, in blind affection for their children, indulging them in the gratification of their selfish desires, and do not bring to bear the authority of God to rebuke sin and correct evil, make it manifest that they are honoring their wicked children more than they honor God. They are more anxious to shield their reputation than to glorify God; more desirous to please their children than to please the Lord and to keep His service from every appearance of evil. PP 578.1"
The EGW passage directly echoes and expands upon the principle outlined in 1 Samuel 3:13, which is that Eli was judged for not restraining his sons and thus honoring them more than God. EGW applies this principle to a broader context of parental responsibility.
"He does not respect his wife, and he allows his children to show her disrespect. Like Eli's sons, these children are left to come up. They are not restrained, and all this neglect will by and by rebound upon himself. That which Brother B is now sowing he will most assuredly reap. Sister B, in many respects, is nearer the kingdom of heaven than her husband. These unruly, disobedient children, that are not educated to self-control, will plant thorns in the hearts of their parents that they cannot prevent; and then in the judgment God will call the parents to account for bringing children into the world and letting them come up untrained, unloving, and unloved. These children cannot be saved in the kingdom of heaven without a great change in their characters. 3T 453.3"
The EGW passage explicitly references Eli's sons and their lack of restraint, directly mirroring the situation described in 1 Samuel 3:13. The consequences of parental neglect are also a shared theme.
"the prophet had not heeded the precepts which he had sought to impress upon their minds. They had not copied the pure, unselfish life of their father. The warning given to Eli had not exerted the influence upon the mind of Samuel that it should have done. He had been to some extent too indulgent with his sons, and the result was apparent in their character and life. PP 604.1"
Both passages discuss the consequences of a father's failure to restrain his sons' wickedness. The EGW passage draws a parallel between Samuel's sons and Eli's sons, highlighting the negative consequences of parental indulgence. 1 Samuel 3:13 describes God's judgment on Eli's house because he did not restrain his sons.
"Eli was a good man, pure in morals; but he was too indulgent. He incurred the displeasure of God because he did not strengthen the weak points in his character. He did not want to hurt the feelings of anyone and had not the moral courage to rebuke and reprove sin. His sons were vile men; yet he did not remove them from their position of trust. These sons profaned the house of God. He knew this, and felt sad in consequence of it, for he loved purity and righteousness; but he had not sufficient moral force to suppress the evil. He loved peace and harmony, and became more and more insensible to impurity and crime. But the great God takes the matter in hand Himself. When the rebuke falls upon him, through the instrumentality of a child, he accepts it, feeling that it is what he deserves. He does not show any resentment toward Samuel, the messenger of God; he loves him as he has done, but condemns himself. 4T 516.1"
The EGW passage elaborates on Eli's character and failings, directly referencing his lack of restraint with his sons, which is the central theme of 1 Samuel 3:13.
"Nadab and Abihu had not in their youth been trained to habits of self-control. The father's yielding disposition, his lack of firmness for right, had led him to neglect the discipline of his children. His sons had been permitted to follow inclination. Habits of self-indulgence, long cherished, obtained a hold upon them which even the responsibility of the most sacred office had not power to break. They had not been taught to respect the authority of their father, and they did not realize the necessity of exact obedience to the requirements of God. Aaron's mistaken indulgence of his sons, prepared them to become the subjects of divine judgments.— Patriarchs and Prophets, 360 . CE 227.1"
Both passages highlight the negative consequences of parental negligence in disciplining children. The EGW passage uses Nadab and Abihu as an example, while 1 Samuel 3:13 speaks of Eli's failure to restrain his sons. Both illustrate the principle that a lack of parental discipline can lead to disastrous outcomes.
"The Parents’ Part But the teacher should not be expected to do the parents’ work. There has been, with many parents, a fearful neglect of duty. Like Eli, they fail to exercise proper restraint; and then they send their undisciplined children to college, to receive the training which the parents should have given them at home. CT 91"
Both passages address the failure of parents to properly discipline their children and the consequences thereof. The EGW passage explicitly mentions Eli as an example of a parent who failed in this duty, directly referencing the biblical narrative.
1 Samuel 3:15
"And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision."
"Samuel was filled with fear and amazement at the thought of having so terrible a message committed to him. In the morning he went about his duties as usual, but with a heavy burden upon his young heart. The Lord had not commanded him to reveal the fearful denunciation, hence he remained silent, avoiding, as far as possible, the presence of Eli. He trembled, lest some question should compel him to declare the divine judgments against one whom he loved and reverenced. Eli was confident that the message foretold some great calamity to him and his house. He called Samuel, and charged him to relate faithfully what the Lord had revealed. The youth obeyed, and the aged man bowed in humble submission to the appalling sentence. “It is the Lord,” he said: “let Him do what seemeth Him good.” PP 582.2"
EGW elaborates on the events described in 1 Samuel 3:15, expanding on Samuel's fear and Eli's reaction. It's more than a thematic parallel; it's a direct retelling and interpretation.
1 Samuel 3:19
"And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground."
"Parents, give your children to the Lord, and ever keep before their minds that they belong to Him, that they are the lambs of Christ's flock, watched over by the True Shepherd. Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord; and it is said of him, “Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words [the Lord's words through Samuel] fall to the ground.” 1 Samuel 3:19 . In the case of this prophet and judge in Israel are presented the possibilities that are placed before the child whose parents co-operate with God, doing their appointed work. CT 143.2"
Ellen White directly references 1 Samuel 3:19 in this passage.
"The youth of our time may become as precious in the sight of God as was Samuel. By faithfully maintaining their Christian integrity, they may exert a strong influence in the work of reform. Such men are needed at this time. God has a work for every one of them. Never did men achieve greater results for God and humanity than may be achieved in this our day by those who will be faithful to their God-given trust. PP 574.3"
Both passages highlight the potential of young people to be used by God, drawing a parallel between the youth of EGW's time and the biblical figure of Samuel.
"consecrated offering, and the Lord made him a channel of light. If the youth of today will consecrate themselves as did Samuel, the Lord will accept them and use them in His work. Of their life they may be able to say with the psalmist, “O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared Thy wondrous works.” Psalm 71:17 . CT 537.2"
Samuel's dedication from a young age and God's presence with him parallels the call for youth to consecrate themselves and be used by God.
1 Samuel 3:19-20
"And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beer–sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord."
"During the years since the Lord first manifested Himself to the son of Hannah, Samuel's call to the prophetic office had come to be acknowledged by the whole nation. By faithfully delivering the divine warning to the house of Eli, painful and trying as the duty had been, Samuel had given proof of his fidelity as Jehovah's messenger; “and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.” PP 589.4"
EGW directly quotes 1 Samuel 3:19-20.
1 Samuel 3:20
"And all Israel from Dan even to Beer–sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord."
"To meet this growing evil, God provided other agencies as an aid to parents in the work of education. From the earliest times, prophets had been recognized as teachers divinely appointed. In the highest sense the prophet was one who spoke by direct inspiration, communicating to the people the messages he had received from God. But the name was given also to those who, though not so directly inspired, were divinely called to instruct the people in the works and ways of God. For the training of such a class of teachers, Samuel, by the Lord's direction, established the schools of the prophets. Ed 46.1"
Both passages discuss Samuel's role as a prophet and teacher. The EGW passage builds upon the biblical account by explaining Samuel's establishment of the schools of the prophets.