The Call of Samuel

INTRODUCTION: After the record of the miraculous birth of Samuel in chapter one and the praiseful prayer of Hannah in chapter two (1 Samuel 2:1-10), we are introduced to the spiritual famine of this time – which is still the time of the judges. Eli’s sons make a mockery of the priesthood and the sacrifices by their wickedness. Yet, Eli will do nothing more than scold them. God sends a man of God to tell Eli that his house (or family line of priests) has been rejected by the Lord (1 Samuel 2:27-36). Thus, the scene is set for the call of Samuel. God has found a man through whom He can again work.

1. GODS CALL TO SAMUEL (1 Samuel 3:1-10)
1. The Time of Gods Call (1 Samuel 3:1-3)
1. When Samuel ministered to the Lord (1 Samuel 3:1; 1 Samuel 2:11, 18)
1. The work of the priests and Levites (Leviticus 7:35; Deuteronomy 21:5; 1 Chronicles 15:2; 1 Chronicles 23:13; 2 Chronicles 13:10; 2 Chronicles 29:11; Ezekiel 40:46; Ezekiel 43:19)
2. The work of New Testament saints (Acts 13:2; cp. Acts 6:4)
2. When Gods Word was precious (1 Samuel 3:1; Psalm 74:9; Amos 8:11)
3. NOTE: no open vision (1 Samuel 3:1). This was a time of no direct revelation from God. The word vision refers to a word or revelation from God. This is the real meaning of the word in Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. If there is no word from God, the people will perish.
4. When the eyes of Eli were dim (1 Samuel 3:2; 1 Samuel 4:15); a picture of Elis lack of spiritual perception
5. Before the lamp of God went out (1 Samuel 3:3)
6. NOTE: The lamp was to burn always (Exodus 27:20). However, it still had to be trimmed and lighted each morning and evening (Exodus 30:7-8), which means each lamp did not continuously burn without any interruption. It is obvious that in Elis day the lamp was allowed to burn out in the evening (1 Samuel 3:3). Perhaps this is symbolic of the apostasy of the age.
2. The Patience of Gods Call (1 Samuel 3:4-8)
1. The first call (1 Samuel 3:4-5; cp. 1 Kings 19:12-13)
2. The second call (1 Samuel 3:6-7); NOTE: Samuel worshipped God, ministered to Him and received His favor (1 Samuel 1:28; 1 Samuel 2:11, 18, 26; 1 Samuel 3:1). But he did not know Him in a personal sense (1 Samuel 3:7) and he did not know what it was to receive the Word of God by revelation (see 1 Samuel 3:1; Numbers 12:6; Amos 3:7).
3. The third call (1 Samuel 3:8); Eli finally perceives that it is of the Lord. His slow understanding is characteristic of the spiritual dearth of the day.
3. The Acceptance of Gods Call (1 Samuel 3:9-10)
1. Elis instructions (1 Samuel 3:9)
2. Samuels obedience (1 Samuel 3:10; cp. Acts 9:6, 8)
2. GODS MESSAGE TO SAMUEL (1 Samuel 3:11-14)
1. A Fearful Message (1 Samuel 3:11; Habakkuk 1:5)
1. The Lord is going to do a work in Israel.
2. The work will cause the ears of every one that heareth to tingle.
2. A Certain Message (1 Samuel 3:12)
1. The judgment is against Eli and his house.
2. The Lord will finish what He starts.
3. A Message of Judgment (1 Samuel 3:13; 1 Samuel 2:29; Matthew 10:37)
1. Elis house to be judged forever
2. The cause of the judgment
1. His sons made themselves vile (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22).
2. Eli restrained them not (1 Samuel 2:23-25, 27-29).
3. NOTE: The judgment was not because of the wickedness of Elis sons. It came because Eli would not restrain them. In this, he honored his sons above the Lord (1 Samuel 2:29). They were under his charge and he could have stopped them. Therefore, he was responsible. We should take this as a warning to us as parents, pastors and others in leadership responsibility (Proverbs 29:15; 1 Timothy 3:4-5).
4. An Eternal Message (1 Samuel 3:14); consider how this judgment plays out in Eli and his descendents.
1. First generation Eli (1 Samuel 4:18)
2. Second generation Hopni and Phinehas (1 Samuel 4:10-18)
3. Third generation Ichabod (1 Samuel 4:19-22)
4. Fourth generation Ahimelech, son of Ichabods brother Ahitub (1 Samuel 14:3; 1 Samuel 22:9-19)
5. Fifth generation Abiathar (1 Samuel 22:20-23; 2 Samuel 20:25)
6. Replacement of the line of Eli (1 Kings 1:5-7; 1 Kings 2:26-27, 35)
3. SAMUELS REPORT TO ELI (1 Samuel 3:15-18)
1. Samuels Response (1 Samuel 3:15)
1. His faithfulness; he opened the doors of the house of God (Psalm 84:10; Malachi 1:10).
2. His fear (Jeremiah 1:6-8; Daniel 4:19)
2. Elis Demand (1 Samuel 3:16-17)
1. Eli calls for Samuel (1 Samuel 3:16).
2. Eli asks Samuel of the Lords message (1 Samuel 3:17).
3. Samuels Obedience (1 Samuel 3:18a) He told him every whit, and hid nothing from him.
4. Elis Acceptance (1 Samuel 3:18b; cp. Isaiah 39:3-8)
1. Eli acknowledges that it is of the Lord.
2. Eli submits to the will of the Lord.
4. GODS BLESSING UPON SAMUEL (1 Samuel 3:19-21)
1. His Development (1 Samuel 3:19)
1. His growth (cp. 1 Samuel 2:21)
1. Samson (Judges 13:24)
2. Jesus (Luke 2:40, 52)
2. Gods presence
1. Joseph (Genesis 39:2, 21-23)
2. David (1 Samuel 18:14)
3. His words (cp. 1 Samuel 3:21; Isaiah 44:26)
2. His Reputation (1 Samuel 3:20; Ecclesiastes 7:1)
3. His Relationship (1 Samuel 3:21; Jeremiah 9:23-24)
1. The Lord appeared to Samuel.
2. The Lord revealed Himself to Samuel.
3. The Lord spoke His word to Samuel.

CONCLUSION: Samuel sought the Lord and was found of Him. Samuel begins this chapter ministering to the Lord (1 Samuel 3:1) but not knowing Him (1 Samuel 3:7). But, by the end of the chapter, God “revealed himself to Samuel” (1 Samuel 3:21). We also need to seek to know the Lord.