The Call of Samuel

During a time when the word of the Lord was rare and visions were infrequent, the youth Samuel was ministering before the Lord under the supervision of Eli (1 Samuel 3:1). Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim, was lying down in his usual place, while Samuel lay down in the house of the Lord where the ark of God was located (1 Samuel 3:2-3). Before the lamp of God went out, the Lord called Samuel’s name. Thinking the voice belonged to Eli, the boy ran to him, but Eli stated he had not called and instructed Samuel to lie down again. This sequence occurred three times (1 Samuel 3:4-8).

Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him (1 Samuel 3:7). After the third instance, Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy and instructed Samuel that if he heard the voice again, he should say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening' (1 Samuel 3:9). The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times. Samuel responded as Eli had directed, and the Lord declared that he was about to perform a deed in Israel that would make the ears of everyone who heard it tingle, fulfilling all he had spoken against Eli’s house (1 Samuel 3:10-12).

The Lord informed Samuel that he would judge Eli’s family forever because of the iniquity Eli knew about; specifically, his sons made themselves contemptible and he failed to restrain them (1 Samuel 3:13). The text states that the guilt of Eli’s house would never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering. Samuel lay until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the Lord, though he was afraid to tell Eli the vision (1 Samuel 3:15). Eli insisted that Samuel hide nothing from him, and after hearing the message, Eli stated that he is the Lord and he should do what is good in his eyes (1 Samuel 3:17-18).