1 Samuel 3: 1-10
The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.
One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 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. Then the Lord called Samuel.
Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
But Eli said, “I did not call you; go back and lie down.” So he went back and lie down.
Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
The Lord called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
The Lord came and stood there, calling as the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
A Thought
Eli the priest was not able to control his sons; therefore, God brought his judgement on Eli’s sons and raised another to be his priest, a young boy named Samuel. Samuel’s mother Hannah, who had been without child, made a promise to God that if she could have a child, she would give him back to the Lord for his service. Now Samuel is serving in the temple under Eli, when God calls to him. What a great difference between Eli’s sons, who would not listen, and Samuel! Samuel hears the call of his name and answers to Eli three different times. The word of the Lord was rare in those days but after Eli’s instruction when the fourth call was made Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Our Prayer
Father thank you for giving us your written word and your Holy Spirit to speak and instruct us on how to live a godly life. Help us to listen and hear your call to each of us to respond in obedience to you and your word. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
