1 & 2 Samuel

1 Samuel Chapter 3

The Calling of Samuel by the Lord

• 1Samuel 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. 
• 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  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; 
• 4  That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. 

This took place early in the morning before the lighting of the candlesticks. Samuel was old enough to understand but still young and considered to be a child but what we would think of as a young teen. One thing to consider here is that God does the calling to service. We may dedicate ourselves to the Lord's work or our parents can dedicate us to His work. We might be elected, appointed or chosen by others but it is God that actually does the calling when it comes to the service of God.

At this point in time Eli was old, his sons were corrupt and there was a famine of the word of the Lord in visions, dreams or revelation. The word of God was limited and scarce. I can't think of anything worse than a famine of the word of God because the people of God were not seeking Him.

• 1Samuel 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. 
• 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. 

This shows that Samuel was dedicated to his duty and thought Eli was calling him and arose to see what Eli needed. Notice that the Lord is using an audible voice to call Samuel.

• 1Samel 3:7  Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. 

I'm sure Samuel knew about God and was not ignorant of His existance at this time but He didn't know the Lord yet in a personal one in a way that prophets and those called of God would know Him and be able to communicate with Him. There is a difference even today in the day of grace that comes to us through faith in Jesus. We can be taught and know all about God but there comes a time when we need to receive Jesus into our lives and have His Holy Spirit within our lives.

• 1Samuel 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. 

Eli finally got it. He evidently had heard the voice of God during his own lifetime and finally realized God was speaking to Samuel.

• 1Samuel 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. 
• 10  And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. 

Samuel was reliable and ready to answer the call of God. The Lord came in person and stood in the room speaking directly to Samuel. This sounds so awesome to me. God waited until Samuel responded to His voice. He didn't leave when Samuel assumed the voice was Eli's and ran out of the room to Eli.

• 1Samuel 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. 
• 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. 
• 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. 
• 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. 

This is recorded in 1 Samuel chapter 2:27-36. A man of God went and spoke to Eli and forewarned him that this day was coming. God is merciful and puts up with evil so far and then says, It is enough; judgment follows.

• 1Samuel 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. 

This shows us what kind of person Samuel was. He didn't gloat or rejoice at the word of the Lord that was given him. He was afraid and sad to have to share what God said. This should be our attitude when judgment comes to someone we know. Never should we boast and rejoice that bad happens to someone but our rejoicing should be in the Lord that He does judge evil eventually. We always should prefer that people repent and get right with God thus avoiding His judgment.

• 1Samuel 3:16  Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. 
• 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. 
• 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. 

Eli didn't get angry at Samuel but realized the Lord's will had to be done. It seems as if by Eli's words to Samuel that he knew Samuel was reluctant to share what the Lord spoke to him.

• 1Samuel 3:19  And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. 

Samuel received the word of the Lord and did not ignore it. He did not take it lightly and kept the word in His heart. Unlike King Saul that is told in the chapters to come, Eli was not jealous or had any bad feelings toward Samuel because of the calling of God on his life.

Oh if we all would do that when we hear God's word taught or preached. Let it be said of us that we receive the word of the Lord and do not ignore it. In our day and age it is available to us in printed form that we can study and read.

• 1Samuel 3:20  And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. 
• 21  And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD. 

The word got out that Samuel was called to be a prophet. He later got the respect of many because of His calling. God appeared to Him again and spoke to Him many times in the future. Samuel was the last of the judges of Israel before the setting up of kings. God called many prophets though like Daniel, Isaiah and Jeremiah but this was the last of the judges who ruled before the time of the kings. -DC

1 Samuel Chapter 4