March 11, 2025

1 Samuel 3:1-9  (HCSB)
Samuel’s Call
3 The boy Samuel served the Lord in Eli’s presence. In those days the word of the Lord was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread. 2 One day Eli, whose eyesight was failing, was lying in his room. 3 Before the lamp of God had gone out, Samuel was lying down in the tabernacle of the Lord, where the ark of God was located. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.” 5 He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “I didn’t call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 6 Once again the Lord called, “Samuel!” Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “I didn’t call, my son,” he replied. “Go back and lie down.” 7 Now Samuel had not yet experienced the Lord, because the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 Once again, for the third time, the Lord called Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 He told Samuel, “Go and lie down. If He calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Trey Manor
We do not know Samuel’s age at this point. We only know that he is a boy growing in “stature and favor with the Lord and with the people” (1 Samuel 2:26). We also know that due to inexperience (his age) and the time he was living in, God did not often speak directly. There were not many prophets. Therefore, when God called to Samuel, he did not know what was going on. However, he responded earnestly in obedient service. Samuel took action despite his confusion. He moved towards obedience doing what he knew to do until God’s will was further revealed to him. Samuel also sought wise counsel. His obedience led him to Eli who explained the situation as best he knew how. Eli was able to sort through his confusion (being woken repeatedly at night) and understand God’s design. Eli also did this despite his lineage being cursed and his sons’ death being prophesied in the previous chapter.  Amidst confusion and overlapping, intense emotions, both Samuel and Eli were faithful. They did their best with what they had and understood. God created and worked out understanding so that His will was fulfilled. Neither Samuel nor Eli knew what God intended nor how He would fulfill His plan when they began to take action steps. Instead, He called, and they answered faithfully.