Samuel's Call to the Prophetic Office
B. Dale 1 Samuel 3:1-18 And the child Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.… The Lord called Samuel (ver. 4). "In Israel's fane, by silent night, The lamp of God was burning bright; And there, by viewless angels kept, Samuel, the child, securely slept. A voice unknown the stillness broke, Samuel!' it called, and thrice it spoke. He rose - he asked whence came the word. From Eli? No; it was the Lord. Thus early called to serve his God, In paths of righteousness he trod; Prophetic visions fired his breast, And all the chosen tribes were blessed" (Cawood) Introductory. - 1. This call to the prophetic office took place at a time of great moral and spiritual darkness. "The word of the Lord" (the revelation of his mind and will to men) "was rare in those days; for" (therefore, as the effect; or because, as the evidence of the absence of such revelation) "there was no vision" (prophetic communication) "spread abroad" among the people (ver. 1; 2 Chronicles 31:5). (1) The word of God is needed by man because of his ignorance of the highest truths, and his inability to attain the knowledge of them by his own efforts. (2) Its possession is hindered by prevailing indifference and corruption. (3) Its absence is worse than a famine of bread (Psalm 74:9; Amos 8:11), and most destructive (Proverbs 29:18). 2. It was the commencement of a fresh series of Divine communications, which culminated in the teaching of the great Prophet, "who spake as never man spake" (Acts 3:24; Hebrews 1:1). This is the chief general significance of the event. "The call of Samuel to be the prophet and judge of Israel formed a turning point in the history of the Old Testament kingdom of God." 3. It was given to one who was very young (twelve years old, according to Josephus, when childhood merges into youth; Luke 2:42), and who held the lowest place in the tabernacle, where Eli held the highest, but who was specially prepared for the work to which he was called. "Shadows of impenitent guilt were the dark background of the picture from which the beams of Divine love which guided that child of grace shone forth in brighter relief" (Anderson). 4. It came in a manner most adapted to convince Eli and Samuel that it was indeed from the Lord (ver. 8), and to answer its immediate purpose in regard to both. Notice - I. THE VOICE of the Lord. 1. It was heard in the temple (vers. 2, 3), or palace of the invisible King of Israel, proceeding from his throne in the innermost sanctuary (Exodus 25:22; 1 Samuel 4:4; Hebrews 9:5); not now, however, addressing the high priest, but a child, as a more loyal subject, and more susceptible to Divine teaching (Matthew 11:25, 26). 2. It broke suddenly on the silence and slumbers of the night; "ere the lamp of God went out," i.e. toward the morning - a season suitable todeep and solemn impression. "Untroubled night, they say, gives counsel best." The light of Israel before God, represented by the golden candelabrum, with its "seven lamps of fire," was burning dimly, and the dawn of a new day was at hand. 3. It called Samuel by name, not merely as a means of arousing him, but as indicating the Lord's intimate knowledge of his history and character (John 10:3), and his claims upon his special service. The All-seeing has a perfect knowledge of each individual soul, and deals with it accordingly. 4. It was often relocated, with ever increasing impressiveness. Natural dulness in the discernment of spiritual things renders necessary the repetition of God's call to men, and his patience is wonderfully shown in such repetition. 5. It was in the last instance accompanied by an appearance. "Jehovah came, and stood, and called" (ver. 10). Probably in glorious human form, as in former days. "Allied to our nature by engagement and anticipation, the eternal Word occasionally assumed its prophetic semblance before he dwelt on earth in actual incarnate life." There could now be no doubt whence the voice proceeded; and even the delay which had occurred must have served to waken up all the faculties of the child into greater activity, and prepare him for the main communication he was about to receive. II. THE RESPONSE of Samuel. 1. He did not at first recognise the voice as God's, but thought it was Eli's (vers. 4-6). For "he did not yet know the Lord" by direct and conscious revelation, "neither was the Word of the Lord revealed to him" (literally, made bare, disclosed; as a secret told in the ear, which has been uncovered by turning back the hair - Genesis 25:7; 1 Samuel 9:15; Job 33:16) as it was afterwards (ver. 21). "We must not think that Samuel was then ignorant of the true God, but that he knew not the manner of that voice by which the prophetical spirit was wont to awaken the attention of the prophets" (John Smith's 'Sel. Discourses,' p. 208). "God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not" (Job 33:14). How often is his voice deemed to be only the voice of man! 2. He acted up to the light he had (vers. 7, 8). Three times his rest was broken by what he thought was the voice of Eli; three times he ran to him obediently, uncomplainingly, promptly; and three times he "went and lay down in his place" as he was bidden. The spirit which he thus displayed prepared him for higher instruction. 3. He obeyed the direction given him by the high priest (ver. 9). Although Eli could not himself hear the voice, yet he perceived that it was heard by another, showed no indignation or envy at the preference shown toward him, and taught him to listen to the Lord for himself, and what be should say in response. "He showed himself a better tutor than he was a parent" (Hall). 4. He responded in a spirit of reverence, humility, and obedience to the voice that now uttered his name twice (ver. 10). "Speak; for thy servant heareth." His omission of the name "Jehovah" was perhaps due to his overwhelming astonishment and reverence But be confessed himself to be his servant, virtually ratifying of his own accord his dedication to his service, and testified his readiness to "hear and obey." Oh, what an hour is that in which the presence of the Lord is first manifested in living force to the soul! and what a change does it produce in all the prospects and purposes of life! (Genesis 28:16, 17). "We were like them that sleep, them that dream, before we entered into communion with God." III. THE COMMUNICATION of God to Samuel. 1. It differed from the message of the "man of God," which had come some time previously, in that it was more brief, simple, and severe; and was given to Samuel alone, without any express direction to make it known to Eli, who seems to have paid no regard to the warning he previously received. 2. It was an announcement of judgment on the house of Eli which would be - (1) Very startling and horrifying to men (ver. 11). (2) The fulfilment of the word which had been already spoken (ver. 12). (3) Complete. "When I begin, I will also make an end." (4) Righteously deserved, inasmuch as his sons had grievously sinned, and he knew it as well as the approaching judgment, and restrained them not (ver. 13; James 4:17). "Sinners make themselves vile (literally, curse themselves), and those who do not reprove them make themselves accessaries" (M. Henry). (5) Permanent and irrevocable. "Forever." "I have sworn," etc. (ver. 14). 3. It was very painful to Samuel because it was directed "against Eli" (ver. 12 - as well as his house), for whom he entertained a deep and tender affection. The "burden of the Lord" was heavy for a child to bear. It was his first experience of the prophet's cross, but it prepared him for his future work. "Woe to the man who receives a message from the gods." 4. It put his character to a severe test, by leaving to his discretion the use which he should make of so terrible a communication. Wisdom and grace are as much needed in using God's communications as in receiving and responding to his voice. IV. THE DISCLOSURE by Samuel to Eli. 1. It was not made hastily or rashly (ver. 15). "He lay down till the morning," pondering the communication; he suffered it not to interfere with the duty that lay immediately before him, but rose and "opened the doors of the house" as usual, though with a heavy heart; and exhibited great calmness, self-control, discretion, and considerate reserve. He "feared to show Eli the vision" lest he should be grieved, or take it in a wrong manner. 2. It was only made under strong pressure (vers. 16, 17). "Samuel, my son" (B'ni), said Eli; and "how much is expressed by this one word!" (Thenius). He asked, he demanded, he adjured. 3. It was made truthfully, faithfully, and without any reserve (ver. 18). 4. It was followed by a beneficial effect. Not, indeed, in rousing the high priest to strenuous efforts for the reformation of his house, which he probably deemed impossible, but in leading him to acknowledge that it was the Lord who had spoken, and to resign himself to his will. No such effect followed the warning previously addressed to him. A similar spirit was shown by Aaron (Leviticus 10:3), by Job 1:21, by David (2 Samuel 18:14, 15, 32, 33), by Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:19), and, above all, by the great High Priest himself (Matthew 26:42). No other Divine message came apparently to Eli or his house. Henceforth there was only the silence that precedes the thunderstorm and the earthquake. - D. Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: The child Samuel ministered to Yahweh before Eli. The word of Yahweh was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision.