*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.
1 Samuel 3:1-21 shows us the importance of listening to God and being willing to follow His guidance. When Samuel first heard God’s voice, he didn’t recognize it right away, but once he was ready to listen, God spoke to him clearly. This reminds us to keep our hearts open to God’s direction in our lives. Sometimes, we may not understand right away, but if we take time to listen and seek Him, He will lead us in the right path.
1 Samuel 3:1-21 (WEB)
3:1 The child Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. The LORD’s word was rare in those days. There were not many visions, then. 2 At that time, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see), 3 and God’s lamp hadn’t yet gone out, and Samuel had laid down in the LORD’s temple where God’s ark was, 4 The LORD called Samuel. He said, “Here I am.”5 He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.”He said, “I didn’t call. Lie down again.”He went and lay down. 6 The LORD called yet again, “Samuel!”Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.”He answered, “I didn’t call, my son. Lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel didn’t yet know the LORD, neither was the LORD’s word yet revealed to him. 8 The LORD called Samuel again the third time. He arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.”Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down. It shall be, if he calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD; for your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”Then Samuel said, “Speak; for your servant hears.”11 The LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I will do a thing in Israel at which both the ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. 12 In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from the beginning even to the end. 13 For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves, and he didn’t restrain them. 14 Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be removed with sacrifice or offering forever.”15 Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the LORD’s house. Samuel was afraid to show Eli the vision. 16 Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son!”He said, “Here I am.”17 He said, “What is the thing that he has spoken to you? Please don’t hide it from me. God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the things that he spoke to you.”18 Samuel told him every bit, and hid nothing from him.He said, “It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him.”19 Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. 21 The LORD appeared again in Shiloh; for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the LORD’s word.