Today’s Key Scripture: Ephesians 4:1 “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”
Key Points:
- God has a unique purpose and callingfor every individual.
- Recognizing this calling requires a relationship with God, understanding His Word, and being attuned to the Holy Spirit.
- Challenge: Spend 10 minutes each day in prayer and meditation, seeking clarity about your personal calling.
The background of 1 Samuel Chapter 3
1. The State of Israel:
At the time of 1 Samuel, Israel was a confederation of tribes without a centralized monarchy. They were often at odds with neighboring nations, especially the Philistines.
- Tribal Structure: Israel was originally composed of 12 tribes, each descended from one of the twelve sons of Jacob (who was later renamed Israel). These tribes were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph (later split into Ephraim and Manasseh), and Benjamin.
2. The Role of Judges:
Before kings ruled Israel, “judges” (charismatic leaders, not jurists in the modern sense) rose periodically to lead the tribes, deliver them from their enemies, and ensure the people followed the ways of the LORD.
3. Eli the Priest:
Eli was the high priest of Israel serving at the Tabernacle in Shiloh. He was also a judge for Israel. He had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were priests but were corrupt and took advantage of their roles, taking more than their allotted portion of the sacrifices and engaging in immoral conduct.
4. Hannah’s Prayer:
Samuel’s story begins with his mother, Hannah, who was barren. In deep anguish, she prayed to the LORD at the Tabernacle in Shiloh for a child, vowing that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him to the LORD’s service. Eli saw her praying and initially mistook her silent prayers for drunkenness, but upon understanding her distress, he blessed her. God heard Hannah’s prayer, and she conceived and gave birth to Samuel.
- Hannah’s prayer and the events surrounding it can be found in 1 Samuel Chapter 1. Specifically, her vow to the LORD if He were to give her a son is mentioned in 1 Samuel 1:10-11. Her prayer of thanksgiving after Samuel’s birth is found later in 1 Samuel 2:1-10.
- 1 Samuel 1:11 NIV And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
5. Samuel’s Dedication:
True to her vow, once Samuel was weaned, Hannah brought him to the Tabernacle to serve under Eli. Every year, when she came up for the annual sacrifice, she would see Samuel and bring him a little robe.
- Considering the cultural norms of the time, Samuel might have been anywhere from 2 to 5 years old when he was presented to Eli at the temple.
6. The Word of the LORD was Rare:
The chapters leading up to 1 Samuel 3 tell us that the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there were not many visions. This makes Samuel’s encounter with God even more significant.
The rarity of the word of the LORD during this time can be understood in several ways:
- Spiritual Decline: One of the dominant themes in the preceding book, Judges, and in the early chapters of 1 Samuel is Israel’s cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The rarity of God’s word can be seen as a reflection of Israel’s spiritual decline and distance from God.
- Corrupt Priesthood: Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are explicitly mentioned as corrupt priests who did not know the LORD (1 Samuel 2:12).
- Their behavior, which included taking portions of sacrifices by force and committing sexual sins within the tabernacle’s precincts, degraded the spiritual climate.
- Eli, as the high priest, failed to deal decisively with their sins.
- Transition Period: The time of Samuel marks a significant transitional period in Israel’s history—from the time of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy. The rarity of God’s direct revelation may highlight the profound change that was about to occur in the leadership and structure of the nation.
- Greater Impact: The rareness of God’s word might also serve to emphasize the importance and weight of the revelations when they did come. In the case of 1 Samuel 3, God’s call to Samuel and the subsequent prophetic message about Eli’s house are pivotal moments in the narrative.
- Contrast with Samuel’s Prophetic Role: The rarity of the word of the LORD in those days serves as a backdrop that contrasts with Samuel’s later role as a prophet. As Samuel grew, the LORD was with him and let none of his words “fall to the ground” (1 Samuel 3:19). Samuel becomes a prominent figure through whom God consistently speaks to the people.
Given this background, 1 Samuel Chapter 3 marks a pivotal moment, not just in Samuel’s life but also in the spiritual climate of Israel. It signifies a transition from a period where God’s voice seemed silent to a time where God actively intervened in the affairs of Israel, with Samuel playing a key prophetic role.
The Message
Samuel: Hearing and Answering God’s Call
1. The Calling in the Night
Scripture:
1 Samuel 3:4-10 NIV Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
6 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.”
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” 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.
- Personal Relationship: “Samuel did not yet know the LORD” suggests that while Samuel might have been familiar with the rituals, traditions, and stories of his faith (after all, he was serving in the temple), he had not yet had a direct, personal encounter or revelation from God. This is about experiential knowledge, not just intellectual knowledge.
- Prophetic Revelation: The phrase “The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him” indicates that Samuel had not yet received prophetic visions or messages from God. This is significant because Samuel would later become one of Israel’s greatest prophets. This episode in 1 Samuel 3 is the beginning of his prophetic calling.
- Context for the Narrative: This verse sets the stage for understanding why Samuel didn’t recognize God’s voice when he first heard it. Since he hadn’t had this kind of encounter before, he naturally assumed it was Eli calling him. Only after the third call did Eli realize that it was the LORD speaking to Samuel and gave him guidance on how to respond.
9 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. 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
The Results:
2. Samuel’s Response to God’s Call
Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:11-18
The LORD told Samuel about the impending judgment on Eli’s house. Samuel was reluctant to share the message, but Eli urged him to speak the truth. Samuel relayed everything, and Eli acknowledged the word of the LORD.
3. Samuel as a Prophet Recognized by Israel
Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:19-21
The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD. The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.
- Samuel’s life provides a clear example of someone who not only received a call from the LORD but also responded affirmatively.
- His willingness to listen, his courage to relay a challenging message, and his faithful service to the LORD make him a prominent figure in understanding divine callings in the Bible.
His overall influence:
After his divine calling in Chapter 3, Samuel went on to have a profound impact on the nation of Israel in various capacities. Here’s a brief overview:
1. Prophet of Israel:
Samuel became a respected prophet throughout Israel. As mentioned in 1 Samuel 3:20, “And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD.”
Samuel continued to receive messages from the LORD, which he relayed to the people of Israel.
2. Judge and Leader:
Samuel served as a judge and leader of Israel (1 Samuel 7:15-17). After the Israelites repented of their idolatry at Mizpah under Samuel’s leadership, he judged Israel all the days of his life, making annual circuit visits to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah.
3. Military Leader:
Samuel played a role in delivering Israel from their enemies, specifically the Philistines. After the Israelites repented and gathered at Mizpah, Samuel offered sacrifices to the LORD, and God responded, throwing the Philistines into confusion and enabling the Israelites to defeat them (1 Samuel 7:7-13).
4. Anointer of Kings:
Samuel was instrumental in transitioning Israel from a theocracy (led directly by God through judges) to a monarchy.
He anointed Saul as Israel’s first king (1 Samuel 9-10). Later, when Saul disobeyed God, Samuel delivered God’s judgment that the kingdom would be taken away from Saul.
Samuel also anointed David as king (1 Samuel 16), signifying God’s choice for the next king of Israel.
5. Spiritual Reformer:
Samuel called the people of Israel to repentance and to put away their foreign gods. He played a pivotal role in turning the hearts of the Israelites back to the LORD (1 Samuel 7:3-6).
6. Establishment of Prophetic Schools:
While not detailed extensively in the Scriptures, it’s believed that Samuel had a hand in establishing schools of prophets or “bands of prophets” (mentioned in 1 Samuel 10:5 and 10:10). These groups played a crucial role in the spiritual life of Israel in subsequent generations.
Samuel’s influence bridged two major periods in Israelite history: the time of the judges and the establishment of the monarchy. His leadership, integrity, and faithfulness to God’s calling set the stage for the kings that would follow, ensuring that, in its early years, the monarchy remained anchored in the worship and obedience of the LORD.
Key Takeaways:
1. Discerning God’s Voice: Samuel initially didn’t recognize God’s call, thinking it was Eli. It’s essential to be attuned to recognize when God is speaking to us, which can sometimes come in unexpected ways.
2. Guidance from Mentors: Eli played a pivotal role in helping Samuel understand that it was God calling him. Having spiritual mentors can assist in discerning and understanding our call.
3. Immediate Response: When Samuel understood it was the LORD calling him, he promptly replied, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” An immediate and open response to God’s call is crucial.
4. Courage in Delivering Tough Messages: Even when God’s message was challenging and potentially upsetting for Eli, Samuel displayed courage in delivering the truth.
5. Faithfulness Leads to Recognition: Samuel’s consistent faithfulness to God’s calling led all of Israel to recognize him as a genuine prophet.
6. God’s Continuous Guidance: Samuel’s relationship with God wasn’t a one-time event. The LORD continued to guide and speak to him throughout his life.
7. Importance of Obedience: Samuel’s commitment to obeying God’s voice, even when it was challenging, solidified his role as a trusted prophet in Israel.
These takeaways emphasize the importance of recognizing, responding to, and being faithful to God’s calling in one’s life.