1 Samuel 3:1
The word of the Lord was rare because people weren't looking for it, expecting it, or seeking it. This rarity of God's word says more about people's attitude and relationship with God than anything God was or was not doing. While the prophets spoke, ears were stopped, eyes were closed. People were used to doing what was right in their own eyes.
It's certainly noteworthy that Samuel ministered to the Lord when the priests and his sons; along with many others all around them had turned from the ways of the Lord. Samuel was a young man seeking after the Lord when there were very few men that would have been examples for him and to him. God set him apart for ministry.
1 Samuel 3:2-5
We can picture a very old Eli resting in the temple, in the early morning. The phrase 'before the lamp of God went out' would have been early morning before sunrise. We often see this time of early morning as a time when men hear from the Lord. It's not that God is limited to this or anything about God's ability to communicate; this speaks of men's distractions in life.
1 Samuel 3:6-9
We can see this young man's obedience to Eli; we can see the heart of a servant and his inclination to obedience. Samuel heard the word of the Lord so clearly that he thought it was Eli. Eli finally understood what was going on and instructed him to say "Here I am" when he heard the voice. Verse seven tells us that Samuel had not heard God speak to him in this way previously. Samuel didn't know the voice of God.
1 Samuel 3:10-14
God reveals that he is about to do something in Israel that will get everyone's attention. Tingling ears is sometimes a sign of impending judgment. God is offended at the actions of Eli's sons and at Eli who did not stop this. Sin in the temple was indicative of what was going on in the entire nation.
Eli had been warned by the man of God in 1 Samuel 2:27-36; this was likely a call to repentance. But now, the time for repentance is past and there is now no atoning for the sin by sacrifice or offering. This sin would bring judgment.
1 Samuel 3:15-18
Eli knew of this judgment, God had already revealed it to him. God spoke against Eli and now He confirms He will do all that was spoken. God always finishes what He started.
At the end of verse 18 we see Eli's submissive obedience to the Lord. This is an old man who had made a lot of mistakes in his life, yet still served the Lord. He had done a good job in raising up Samuel in spite of not doing well with Hophni and Phinehas or preserving the ways of ministry in the temple.
1 Samuel 3:19-21
When Samuel prophesied, it came to pass - this is what it means that none of his words fall to the ground. Samuel became known by all as a prophet to the Lord. The ears tingled all over Israel.
Do Godly parents have Godly children?
- Hannah's prayer was answered and she had a Godly child.
- Eli was a Godly man but his sons showed contempt for God.
© 2015 Doug Ford
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