Tradition states that Samuel was about twelve years old at this time. He had grown up in the presence of the Lord and had learned to serve in the tabernacle, yet he did not at this time have a personal relationship or experience with God (vs. 7). How important it is for a child to make his own decisions. By this I do not mean he ought to be left to the "error of his way", but that a child should be raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and be guided to the right decisions that,will be his.

Samuel had filled the lampstand with oil; it was close to day break and the lamp was about to go out; Samuel was sleeping and the Lord called him. He first thought that it was blind Eli who needed his help, so he ran to him. Here 'We pick up the

OUTLINE OF THE CHAPTER:

I. SOME TRUTHS CONCERNING THE WORD OF GOD - (1,3,7,21)

II. A YOUNG MAN'S CALL TO THE MINISTRY - (1-14)

III. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A PROPHET AND THE CALL TO PREACH - (15-21)

I. SOME TRUTHS CONCERNING THE WORD OF GOD - (1,3,7,21)

The first book of Samuel begins in one of the bleakest periods of Israel's history. Chronologically, the book begins where the Book of Judges leaves off… those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes..." (Judg. 21:25).

Ruth (1:1) begins with "...there was a famine in the land..."; I Samuel three begins "...there was no open vision." It would not be overly presumptuous to assume that God's revelation to the children of Israel had been cut off because of their disobedient and rebellious spirit. Samuel is the pivotal point from the rule of the judges in Israel, to the establishment of the office of King and the concept of Kingdom under Saul. (Acts 13:18- 21) In the Old Testament, God not only spoke through His Word, but He spoke also in "open visions" or revelations, (Gen. 12:7; 17:1; 18:1; 26:2; 32:30), etc. There is an interesting verse in (Job 23:12) "...I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." Job had no Bible, not even a page of it. What was Job speaking of? Job must have had personal conversations with the Lord!

Note in verse three the type pictured here. The lamp (candlestick) stood opposite the shewbread in the Holy Place ... the lamp was about to go out. The lamp pictures the Holy Spirit; the shewbread (set in two rows of 6, 66, 66 Books in the Bible) pictures the Word of God. The typical message the Holy Spirit was about to discontinue shedding God's light on the Word. The Book would have been sealed.

Note in verse seven that knowing the Lord is directly related to the revelation of the Word of God. It might be added here that the revelation and knowledge are proportionate. Paul said in (Phil. 3:10), "...that I may know him..." God reveals himself to us today through the Word.

Lastly, note the double application of verse 21. "...the Lord appeared (it had apparently been quite awhile) ... for the Lord revealed himself by the word..." You have a physical appearance, the pre-incarnate Word of God, revealing the will of God by the word, the spoken Word of God "...holy men of God spake as they were moved..." (2 Pet. 1:19-21). Note (Prov. 30:4,5) and the personal pronoun "he" ascribed to the impersonal "word". (Heb. 4:12,13)

 

II. A YOUNG MAN'S CALL TO THE MINISTRY - (1-14)

There are a number of simple truths in these verses concerning a man's call to the ministry that deserve our consideration:

In (vs. 1), we learn that a child can minister unto the Lord, you don't have to wait until you are a teen or an adult to enter into service.

In (vs. 5) we see Samuel having difficulty discerning whether the call he heard was the call of man (Eli) or of God.

Verses (6-8) show us by example that Samuel did not get frustrated with his inability to discern what was happening, he just patiently waited until it was clear.

Samuel ministered to God before a man of God. This put Samuel in a place where he could receive guidance and instruction.

Eli, through experience and wisdom that had come with age, was able to discern God's call (vs. 8).

It is important to note that while Samuel had remained patient through everything, that God himself did not become frustrated with Samuel' inability to discern. God waited for Samuel.

Eli directs Samuel to yield himself to God as a servant, this is the call to the ministry. This is the primary meaning of the word "minister". First, the man must minister to God, then, he must minister to man. (vs. 8)

What God tells you to do:

[1]. May make some ears tingle, it may be out of the ordinary or strange.
[2]. God will assure you that He will finish.
[3]. Is to be done no matter who might be offended by His directives.

 

III. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A PROPHET AND THE CALL TO PREACH - (15-21)

We have already seen under (# II) that it is the, prophet's responsibility to preach the truth regardless of whom it offends "...Samuel feared to shew Eli..." (vs. 15). Very few preachers in this world enjoy being offensive. "The truth hurts", yet Paul said to the Galatians, "Am I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?" (Galatians 4:16). Samuel did not approach Eli vindictively. If a man cannot take a rebuke administered in a spirit of humility, is the man worth anything? Samuel's fear was not so misdirected; through it he demonstrated his love and respect for a man his senior, and at the same time his fear shows his respect to God's commission, in this case not a pleasant one.

Samuel preached the whole counsel of God (vs. 18) (Acts 20:27). In verse nineteen, the Lord tells us that the Lord backed His servant in every situation, He would not let His prophet fail. Because of his faithfulness everyone knew that Samuel "was established to be a prophet of the Lord." Samuel and the word of the Lord were almost synonymous. (vs. 20)