*1 Samuel 3:1-21
Young Samuel, ministering at the tabernacle, hears God’s voice calling him but initially thinks it is Eli.
- Samuel’s Ministry at Shiloh:
- Samuel, now a young boy, serves the Lord under the guidance of Eli the high priest at Shiloh, where the tabernacle of the Lord is located.
- During this time, the word of the Lord is rare, and visions are infrequent, indicating a period of spiritual decline and lack of divine communication.
- The Lord Calls Samuel:
- One night, as Samuel lies down to sleep in the tabernacle, the Lord calls out to him, saying, “Samuel, Samuel.”
- Samuel, mistaking the voice for Eli’s, responds, “Here I am,” and runs to Eli to inquire about his call.
- Eli’s Instruction to Samuel:
- Eli realizes that the Lord is calling Samuel and instructs him to go back to bed and listen for the voice again, telling him to respond, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
- Samuel obeys Eli’s instructions and returns to his place to await the Lord’s call.
- The Lord’s Message to Samuel:
- The Lord comes and stands before Samuel once again, calling out, “Samuel, Samuel.”
- Samuel responds as instructed by Eli, and the Lord reveals to him a prophecy of judgment against Eli’s household because of the sins of Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas.
- Samuel’s Reluctance to Deliver the Message:
- Samuel is reluctant to deliver the message to Eli due to its severity and the respect he has for Eli as his mentor and spiritual leader.
- However, Eli urges Samuel to tell him everything the Lord has revealed, promising not to withhold anything from him.
- Samuel’s Faithfulness:
- Samuel faithfully recounts the Lord’s message to Eli, informing him of the judgment that will come upon his household because of the sins of his sons.
- Eli accepts the word of the Lord with resignation and humility, acknowledging the righteousness of God’s judgment.
- The Lord’s Continued Presence with Samuel:
- As Samuel grows, the Lord is with him and continues to reveal Himself to him through His word.
- All Israel recognizes Samuel as a prophet of the Lord, and the Lord does not allow any of Samuel’s words to fall to the ground, indicating the authenticity and authority of his prophetic ministry.
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.
3:2 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; 3:3 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; 3:4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
3:5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
3:6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
3:7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
3:8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
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.
3:10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
3:11 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.
3:12 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.
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.
3:14 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.
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.
3:16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
3:17 And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
3:18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.
3:19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
3:20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.
3:21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.