2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place.
2 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;
2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place.
2 One night Eli was sound asleep (his eyesight was very bad - he could hardly see).
2 And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see,
2 One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had gone to bed.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 3:2
Commentary on 1 Samuel 3:1-10
(Read 1 Samuel 3:1-10)
The call which Divine grace designs shall be made effectual; will be repeated till it is so, till we come to the call. Eli, perceiving that it was the voice of God that Samuel heard, instructed him what to say. Though it was a disgrace to Eli, for God's call to be directed to Samuel, yet he told him how to meet it. Thus the elder should do their utmost to assist and improve the younger that are rising up. Let us never fail to teach those who are coming after us, even such as will soon be preferred before us, John 1:30. Good words should be put into children's mouths betimes, by which they may be prepared to learn Divine things, and be trained up to regard them.