ADULT STS LESSON 196 THE CALL OF SAMUEL
MEMORY VERSE:
“And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD”
(1 Samuel 3:21).
TEXT: 1 Samuel 3:1–21
The previous chapter of First Samuel reveals the imminent judgment that would come on Eli’s household because of the corruption and perversion of the priesthood by his sons, Hophni and Phinehas. Rather than correct, punish and enforce obedience, Eli indulged his sons and gave them honour more than the Lord. For this, “God was not well pleased”. His unchanging response to their descent into evil is a reversal of their fortune, promised blessings and favour (1 Samuel 2:30–36).
This study centres on God’s revelation of Himself to Samuel, as a result of the profaning of the tabernacle and Eli’s failure to discipline his children. Prior to this, Samuel lived a godly life in an ungodly environment created by the sinful lifestyle and practices of Eli’s children.
“And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men” (1 Samuel 2:26).
It is God’s expectation that His children should display consistent godly lives before others and be vessels “…unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). God hates sin. He is no respecter of persons, and His eyes are purer than to behold iniquity.
THE CALL AND ATTRIBUTES OF SAMUEL
(1 Samuel 3:1–10; Amos 8:11–12; 2 Chronicles 15:3; 1 Samuel 2:11,18; Isaiah 52:11; Daniel 1:8; Genesis 39:2)
God called Samuel at a time the word of the Lord was very precious, that is, scarce.
“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” (1 Samuel 3:1).
Prophets or servants of God to whom the people might have recourse for counsel or divine instructions were scarce at this time when Samuel ministered unto the Lord. The impiety and impurity that prevailed in the tabernacle provoked the Lord and made Him withdraw His presence from the people.
The situation is not different in many religious gatherings. There is famine of the true gospel message. The modern gospel, centred on materialism, indulgence and sensuality, has driven away the presence of God from many Christian gatherings. Worst of all, many people have cravings for sensational gospel messages of half-truth.
This situation calls for passionate prayers and urgent action of preaching the sound word of God by true believers to rescue the perishing before they are lost forever.
“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” (1 Samuel 3:2).
Eli the priest was aging with dimming eyesight while Samuel was growing up in the courts of the Lord. Besides aging, his inability to maintain pure worship also dulled his spiritual senses. Thus, divine revelation was hard to come by.
God found a replacement in Samuel, who emerged as a lily in the valley and “ministered to the LORD”. God always has substitutes for indulgent, disobedient and unrighteous people in leadership. Samuel was like Joseph amidst Jacob’s sons and like Daniel in Babylon.
He had many good qualities:
- He was dedicated to God. He had laid his entire life on the altar, serving in the tabernacle.
- He was incorruptible. He would not be influenced by the wayward lifestyle of Eli’s sons.
- He was active and industrious.
- He was available. He was always at his duty post in the tabernacle and demonstrated readiness for divine assignment.
- He was humble and obedient. He would always answer Eli, “Here am I; for thou didst call me”, even at odd hours of the day.
All these qualities positioned him to hear from God and become a mighty instrument in His hand.
“And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli… Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him” (1 Samuel 3:6–7).
God called Samuel three times, and each time he ran to Eli because he had not known how God speaks to His children. The same behaviour is common among some believers. They run here and there in search of revelation because they are ignorant of the ways God speaks. By so doing, they fall into the traps of church herbalists, false prophets and fortune tellers in prayer houses.
They think it is very difficult to know the mind of God in the choice of career, marriage, business, ministry and other life situations. Others resort to casting lots, use of fleece (Judges 6:37–40), prolonged unhealthy fasting, and similar practices.
God delights in speaking to His children and He does this in diverse ways:
- Through the still small voice of the indwelling Spirit (1 Kings 19:12–13)
- Audible voice (Matthew 17:5; 2 Peter 1:17)
- Dreams and visions (Genesis 37:5–11)
- Intuitive perception in the heart (Luke 5:22; Acts 10:34)
- Divinely arranged events (Acts 8:26–35; Genesis 24:12–22)
- The written and spoken Word during personal devotion or through the ministration of His anointed servants (Luke 24:32; Acts 2:37; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19–21)
God’s word is His unchanging and sure standard of dealing with His children. Believers must therefore study and subject their decisions to the word of God and must not allow any leading or revelation to contradict His word.
“And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.” As an experienced tutor, Eli gave useful advice and guidance to the upcoming prophet. By teaching Samuel how to respond to the call of God, he demonstrated a good leadership attitude. He was not envious of the divine revelation given to Samuel.
This is a good lesson for older believers and ministers, who should consider mentoring younger ministers through direct training programmes, guided and supervised assignments, encouragement and prayers.
From the instruction he received from Eli, Samuel knew how to answer God’s call. Then he responded:
“Speak; for thy servant heareth.”
CONDEMNATION OF THE CORRUPTED PRIESTHOOD
(1 Samuel 3:11–14; Ezekiel 3:17–21; Ecclesiastes 8:11–13; Ezekiel 7:3; Acts 10:34; 1 Timothy 5:22; Revelation 3:16)
“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. 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” (1 Samuel 3:11–12).
The message of wrath came once again to ratify the previous warning from a prophet in (1 Samuel 2:27–36). The repetition was necessary because Eli did not pay proper attention to the divine warnings.
As a father, priest and judge, he had the power to restrain, rebuke or remove his children from office, but he did not. Hence, the punishment would be so terrible that everyone would be shocked and astonished to hear that he and his two sons died in one day.
This teaches serious lessons:
- God is no respecter of persons.
- Judgment delayed does not mean judgment denied.
- Sin has consequences. It degrades, demotes, destroys and damns.
- Those who fail to restrain or report known sins also share in guilt and judgment.
CHARACTER AND CONSECRATION OF FAITHFUL PREACHERS
(1 Samuel 3:15–18; 2:26; Proverbs 20:6; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Matthew 25:19–23)
“And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision” (1 Samuel 3:15).
Samuel was dutiful, opening the doors of the temple early for worshipers. Yet the revelation he received was so grave that he feared to disclose it to Eli. When pressed, however, he declared the message faithfully, plainly and fully.
The Lord needs faithful, courageous and uncompromising preachers because truth is scarce. Faithfulness is required in declaring the gospel message regardless of the response (Ezekiel 3:19). Eli’s response, “It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good,” was lukewarm and unrepentant.
Scripture declares:
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).
“And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).
God forgave David (Psalm 51), Nineveh (Jonah 3:5–10), the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39–43), and the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3–11). This is good news for all sinners and backsliders who truly repent.
CONFIRMATION OF SAMUEL AS PROPHET
(1 Samuel 3:19–21; 9:6)
“And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground” (1 Samuel 3:19).
Samuel knew the Lord from childhood and retained divine presence throughout his life and ministry. He grew from a faithful servant in tabernacle duties to a nationally recognized prophet.
“And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD” (1 Samuel 3:21).
Many ministers have lost God’s presence through disobedience, compromise, pride, covetousness and pleasure. If God’s servants will guard their relationship with Him, they will continue to enjoy His presence and revelation. Following the path of Eli and his sons leads to tragedy.
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW
- Why did God abandon Eli?
- What can true believers do to prevent famine of the true word of God?
- Enumerate Samuel’s good qualities.
- How does God speak to His children?
- What should be the attitude of believers to sin?
- What should be the response of sinners and backsliders to God’s warning?
- How can ministers retain divine presence and anointing till the end of their lives and ministries?
