1 Samuel 3:1-21
Q.1. What were the spiritual conditions in which Samuel began to minister? Where was Samuel when God called him? Did Samuel know whose voice it was? How did Eli respond? – (1 Sam.3:1-6)
Under the ungodly ministry of Eli and his sons, a – … word from the Lord was rare in those days, visions were infrequent (1 Sam.3:1). However, God had plans to meet His people through the dedicated ministry of Samuel. The written record is both symbolic and historical – and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was (1 Sam.3:3). This was the place designated by God, where He would speak to the nation (c.f. Exo.25:22). When God called, Samuel responded – ‘Here I am’ and ran out to Eli. Eli told him that he hadn’t called him and told Samuel to go back to bed. This happened a second time with the same response (1 Sam.3:4-6). Samuel had never heard God speak to him before.
Q.2. How did Eli know that God was speaking? How did he tell Samuel to respond? Why could you say this was Samuel’s conversion? What made God’s words to Samuel foundational? – (1 Sam.3:7-14)
When the same happened, and Samuel came out a third time – … Then Eli discerned that the Lord was calling the boy (1 Sam.3:8). He then counselled the boy – … Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, `Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening … (1 Sam.3:9). This night changed Samuel forever, for prior to that – Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word of the Lord yet been revealed to him (1 Sam.3:7). The fourth time, Samuel responded with the immortal words to God – … Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening (1 Sam.3:10). It was an incredibly tough message of judgment that God delivered to the boy prophet, about a man well into his nineties (1 Sam.3:11-13). God accused Eli of failing to correct his sons, though he had been warned – Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever (1 Sam.3:13-14). Eli had disregarded God’s warnings too many times.
Q.3. Did Samuel pass on God’s message? Why or why not? What made him share the prophecy? How much did he tell Eli? What happened after God revealed Himself to Samuel? – (1 Sam.3:15-21)
Everything indicates that Samuel had been the submissive ‘son’ that Eli’s sons had never been. So – … Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli (1 Sam.3:15). However, as the Lord told Ezekiel, a prophet must speak God’s words, without fear or favour (Ezk.3:17-21; 33:1-16). God in His grace aided Samuel. Eli discerned that God had spoken. He asked to hear the truth (1 Sam.3:16-17). Samuel – told him everything and hid nothing from Eli (1 Sam.3:18). Samuel’s courage and obedience as a prophet meant that – Samuel grew and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fail (1 Sam.3:19). Respect for his call was confirmed as his faithful ministry spread far and wide – all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord (1 Sam.3:20). Most importantly – the Lord appeared again at Shiloh because the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord (1 Sam.3:21). As the Lord had told Eli previously – Far be it from Me – for those who honour Me I will honour, and those who despise Me will be lightly esteemed (1 Sa.2:30).