God Calls Samuel in the Night
Study note
Samuel was sleeping near the ark of God in the tabernacle when God called his name. In those days, God rarely spoke directly to people or gave visions. Samuel did not yet have a personal relationship with God, so he did not recognize God's voice. Three times he ran to Eli, thinking the old priest had called him. Finally Eli understood that God was calling the boy and told Samuel how to respond. The phrase 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening' became one of the most famous responses to God in the Bible.
1 Young Samuel was serving the Lord under Eli's guidance. In those days, it was rare for the Lord to speak to anyone. Visions from God hardly ever happened. 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.
2 One night, Eli was lying in his usual sleeping spot. His eyesight had gotten so bad that he could barely see anything. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
3 The special lamp in God's tabernacle had not gone out yet. Samuel was lying down inside the Lord's house, near the ark of God. And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
4 Suddenly, the Lord called out, "Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Here I am!" That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
5 He jumped up and ran to Eli, saying, "Here I am. You called for me." But Eli replied, "I did not call you. Go back to bed." So Samuel went back and lay down. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
6 The Lord called out again, "Samuel!" Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, "Here I am. You called for me." Eli said, "I did not call you, son. Go back to sleep." And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
7 Samuel did not yet know the Lord in a personal way. The Lord had never spoken directly to him before this. Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
8 The Lord called Samuel a third time. Once again, Samuel got up and went to Eli, saying, "Here I am. You called for me." This time, Eli figured out that it was the Lord who was calling the boy. And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
9 Eli told Samuel, "Go lie down again. If he calls you once more, say, 'Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.'" Samuel went back and lay down in his spot. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 The Lord came and stood there. He called out just like before, "Samuel! Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak. Your servant is listening." And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
God's Message About Eli's Family
Study note
God told Samuel something so shocking that anyone who heard it would have their ears ring. God confirmed the judgment against Eli's family that the unnamed prophet had already delivered. Because Eli knew about his sons' wickedness but did not stop them, the sins of his household could never be forgiven through sacrifices or offerings. This was a heavy message for a young boy to receive.
11 The Lord told Samuel, "I am about to do something in Israel. Everyone who hears about it will have their ears ringing." And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
12 "When that day comes, I will do everything I said against Eli's family, from beginning to end." In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
13 "I warned Eli that I would punish his family permanently because of the sin he knew all about. His sons were cursing God, and Eli did nothing to stop them." For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
14 "So I made a vow about Eli's family. No gift or offering will ever erase their guilt." And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
Samuel Tells Eli the Truth
Study note
Samuel was afraid to tell Eli what God had said. The next morning, Eli made Samuel promise to tell him everything, even the hard parts. When Samuel shared the full message, Eli accepted it with quiet faith, saying, 'He is the Lord. Let him do what he thinks is best.' Eli's response showed humble acceptance of God's decision, even though it meant terrible consequences for his family.
15 Samuel stayed in bed until morning. Then he got up and opened the doors of the Lord's house for the day. He was scared to tell Eli what God had revealed to him. And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
16 But Eli called out to him, "Samuel, my boy." Samuel replied, "Here I am." Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
17 Eli pressed him, "What did the Lord tell you? I want you to be completely honest with me. May God deal with you harshly if you hold back even one word of what he said." And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
18 So Samuel told him everything. He did not leave out a single detail. Eli responded quietly, "He is the Lord. Let him do what he thinks is right." And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.
Samuel Becomes a Recognized Prophet
Study note
As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and made sure that every word Samuel spoke came true. All of Israel, from the northern city of Dan to the southern city of Beer-sheba, recognized that Samuel was a true prophet of God. The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh and reveal his word through Samuel. This marked the beginning of Samuel's role as the spiritual leader of Israel.
19 As Samuel grew up, the Lord stayed close by his side. God ensured that every word Samuel spoke proved to be true. And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
20 All Israel knew Samuel was a true prophet. They knew this from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south. And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.
21 The Lord continued to show up at Shiloh, because that is where he chose to reveal himself to Samuel through his word. And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.