Vision refers to a prophetic vision, a communication of God’s word to his prophet (cf. Hosea 12:10; Habakkuk 2:1–3; Numbers 12:6–8; Proverbs 29:18).1 The prophet would then be expected to communicate that message to God’s people.2 The fact that prophecies were rare at the time indicates that Israel was under covenant curse (cf. Amos 8:11–12; Psalm 74:3–9; Lamentations 2:9; 1 Samuel 28:6, 1 Samuel 28:15).3
1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.