Samuel’s Prophetic Call

EXCITE

How important is the Word of God? The motto of reformed Geneva was “After darkness, Light.” The Ecclesiastical Ordinances for the Church of Geneva in 1541 specified at least six sermons would be delivered throughout the week, three on Sunday and three throughout the week (M, W, F). The preaching schedule reflects the conviction of Calvin and others that God’s people are enlightened when God’s Word moves freely among them. A similar assumption exists in 1 Samuel 3. God’s Word was lacking, because God was giving no vision. No vision meant there were no prophets. No prophets meant the Word of God was rare.

Join me in 1 Samuel 3 as we look to see how Samuel’s prophetic call has bearing on our life as well.

EXPLORE

Seek the Spirit for Scriptural Sensitivity (3:1)

Interpretation:

We are so blessed to live this side of the cross, where God has written His law on our hearts, where His Spirit is our Great Teacher, and this side of a closed canon where we know this is how God has spoken and revealed about Himself and how we should respond to Him.

But, God’s people didn’t always have a completed Bible. In Samuel’s day, visions were the common way God communicated His Word. He would give visions to His prophets who in turn spoke to His people. Even this is a reminder that men do not merely manufacture God’s Word. But, notice verse 1…what does the text say? “There was no frequent vision” (v.1), which meant that God’s Word was rare when Samuel steps on the scene.

Naturally, we might ask, “Why was God’s word rare? Why didn’t He speak to Israel?” Probably because they were under God’s wrath (see the end of Judges). In Amos, God threatened the people with a “famine” of His word. Psalm 74 has a similar aggravation — there is no longer a prophet.

The good news of 1 Sam.3 is that YHWH is no longer remaining silent. The last verse of chapter 3 underscores that God will now speak powerfully through Samuel, letting “none of his words fall to the ground.” The Lord will reveal “Himself to Samuel…by the word of the Lord,” and Samuel’s word will go to “all Israel.” God is not forsaking His people, and He’s surely not done speaking to them.

Illustration:

Imagine living in a house with no windows—just a single lightbulb in the ceiling. But for years, the switch doesn’t work. The room is dim, confusing, and disorienting. You grope around, trying to make sense of your surroundings. Occasionally, someone says they thought they saw a flicker—maybe a momentary flash—but most of the time, it’s silence and shadows.

That’s Israel during the days of Eli—before Samuel comes on the scene. God’s Word was rare. Vision was not frequent. The switch seemed off.

But then—click—light. In 1 Samuel 3, God speaks. The light comes on through Samuel, and the Word of the Lord begins to shine again. It’s not a flicker or a guess—it’s clear, it’s powerful, and it spreads to all Israel. God hasn’t forsaken His people. He’s turned the light back on.

Application:

How does this translate to the church when we have a closed canon? Two suggestions come to mind:

God’s word can be hindered because people are unwilling to hear and accept it. Isaiah 6:9-10 calls the prophet to speak to people who don’t understand, see, or perceive what God is saying.

Spiritual insight comes through the Spirit. Paul and Apollos both labored among the Corinthian church, but it was God who caused their efforts to amount to anything. So, Paul says in 1 Cor.3:6-7 that it was God who gave the growth.

So, God’s word, be it written, spoken, or welcomed, it happens and prospers only by God’s grace to His people.

Recognize that Growth is Gradual (3:2-10)

Interpretation:

The emphasis of this passage is God’s call of Samuel. It sets the stage noting Eli’s failing “eyesight” and Samuel sleeping in the temple where God’s lamp had “not yet gone out.”

The beginning of verse 4 sets the main tone — God “called Samuel.” The word called = addressed by name. Apparently, God’s verbal and audible address of Samuel was so clear that the natural assumption is that Eli was speaking…more than once! Still, he didn’t understand what was happening because he still didn’t “know the Lord.” God’s word hadn’t “yet been revealed to him” (v.7).

We rightly ask how vv.2-10 relate to us, but remember that there is a stark difference between Samuel and us. Samuel will directly receive revelation from God and then relay that message to God’s people. The present-day believer, however, receives God’s word by the Holy Spirit working through the closed canon, and everything that we receive as God’s truth must align with what God has spoken in His Word. Perhaps the best take away for personal application is Samuel’s readiness to receive truth from the Lord. Our hearts should be cultivated and ready to receive the truth of Scripture. Jesus tells the parable of the soils to remind us just how important it is to work the soil of the heart that we may receive His word implanted.

But, let’s take it a little deeper than just asking about personal application. Maybe our question should also change. Perhaps we should ask, “What is this passage teaching us about God Himself?” To answer this question, I want us to look at God’s patience throughout the entire episode.

First, we see God’s patience in dealing with Samuel’s response. God is in no apparent hurry. He waits for Samuel to catch on to what He’s doing. It’s not until the third call that Eli and Samuel catch on to what’s going on, and Samuel doesn’t answer God until the fourth call.

Second, God is dealing in abundant kindness and patience with Israel. They have turned and done what was right in their own eyes, but God was not finished with Israel. YHWH was raising up a prophet to speak truth to His people.

So, God is willing to deal patiently with His people. Our growth does not happen over night. And God, rich in mercy, gives us time to understand Him. He doesn’t time us with a cosmic stopwatch, impatiently sighing at how long it takes us to catch on. He is not our harsh task master drill sergeant, but a tender and patient and loving Father who teaches and guides us.

Application:

Let me ask you a couple of questions about God’s Word and our growth:

First, how is your appetite for the Word of God? Do you long for it, assured that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. This is sustenance and food for life.

Are you mindful that growth is a process? I believe that we can want to rush the process. We want instant gratification, instant growth. We hear testimonies about how God delivers someone instantly from any desire whatsoever of previous vices. So, when we still struggle and wrestle with sin and the “old man,” if you will, The enemy will creep in and whisper lies about our walk with Jesus and the validity of our confession of faith. Sure, sometimes God miraculous delivers people, but growth tends to happen slowly and over time as God meticulously prunes us by His Word. As we grow, be mindful of Paul’s words in Philippians:

Philippians 1:6 ESV

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Balance Boldness and Benevolence (3:11-18)

Interpretation:

Eli finally perceives what’s going on, and his instruction to Samuel (v.10) is spot — tell the Lord you are ready and willing to receive His Word. When God speaks, it’s not the joyful message of encouragement and hope that Samuel might have wanted. Instead, it’s a weighty message of judgment for Samuel’s mentor (v.12). Samuel dreads telling Eli (vs.15b). After all, he’s close to Eli. Even notice how Eli refers to Samuel in vs.16 — “Samuel, my son.”

We see the heavy burden many who speak the word of God carry. Yes, there is joy and worship and excitement to be able to stand before God’s people and declare, “This is God’s Word!” However, it can also be a painful and weighty and taxing task. As soon as Samuel is called to the prophetic ministry, God gives him a heart-rending message of judgment for someone he cares deeply for. On one hand, he must speak truth, for this is the reason God has given him a message in the first place. Yet, he hesitates to declare judgment — he must speak for the sake of truth, but he does so reluctantly, moved by compassion. While we will sometimes divide the role of prophet and shepherd, proclaimer and mercy heart, here, Samuel embodies them both.

God’s Word always carries a tension between truth and compassion, and any faithful messenger must live within that tension. If a preacher never confronts sin, he may lack truth; if he only delivers judgment, he may lack love — true preaching both comforts and convicts, holding truth and care, boldness and benevolence, in balance.

Illustration:

The 8th chapter of John tells the story of a woman caught in the very act of adultery. The religious leaders drag her in front of Jesus — they want a judgment on the situation. Now, they were trying to trick Jesus, trying to put Him in a no-win situation, but He doesn’t answer. Instead, He bends down and starts writing in the sand. What’s He writing? No one knows…the text doesn’t tell us. But, they press — make a call, Jesus. Finally, He gives them the words that tend to be our focus, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

But, that’s not where the story ends. You see, the people leave, one by one, oldest to the youngest, and when it’s just Jesus and the woman standing there, He asks if there is no one left to condemn her. She says no, and the story wraps up with Jesus saying, “Neither do I…go, and…sin no more.”

You see, He didn’t excuse her actions, but neither did He harshly judge her. He faithfully acted as both prophet and priest. He didn’t shy from truth, but He didn’t torture her with it, either.

Application:

How do we live by this balance? What can we do to have proper boldness and benevolence?

First, be willing to receive the word.

Second, if there is a message that calls us to confront sin, ask:

Am I doing this with a compassionate heart?

Am I sufficiently broken by the message I’m called to deliver?

Be sure the plank/speck dynamic is squared away before going to the individual.

Let the word shape you before trying to use it to shape others.

Responsibly Receive God’s Revelation (3:19-4:1a)

Interpretation:

God establishes Samuel as His prophet, speaking through His representative and directing His people, graciously providing for them and now holding them responsible. The confirmation of Samuel should bring to memory Deut.18:15-19 (Deuteronomy 18:15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—”). God promised a prophet like Moses, and his role was to speak God’s word to Israel.

Samuel does not ultimately fulfill the role of “prophet like Moses,” but it does seem that he begins a line of prophets that will speak, at least until the Tanakh, the OT, is finished, firmly establishing the hope that the final prophet would come. With Samuel, there is the provision of what might be called the “prophet in residence,” a continual prophetic witness in Israel, not the occasional appearance of a prophet in Israel’s midst.

And what did God’s prophet do with God’s word?

First, he “grew” (v.19a). That’s what the Scripture does to us — it causes us to grow, to develop wisdom, godly character, faith…ultimately, it transforms our character, making us holy in how we live.

Second, he proclaimed it. By God’s grace, “none of his words” fell “to the ground” (vs.19b), “and the word of Samuel came to all Israel” (4:1a). A prophet must proclaim.

Illustration:

Jeremiah 20:9 ESV

If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.

Jeremiah is overwhelmed. He’s been mocked, beaten, and rejected for proclaiming God’s message—a message that often brought judgment rather than comfort. He’s tempted to stop speaking. But he can’t. The Word of God is like a fire inside him. He must speak.

Application:

So it is with the Word of God. We receive it responsibly when it’s not just information but transformation. It changes us, and one way or another, it’s going to come out. So how can you actively share God’s word?

Are you engaged in some type of small group fellowship and Bible study? This could be Sunday School. It could be a life group. It could be a men’s or a lady’s study. But, there should be some place where you are engaging with others and talking about God’s word.

If you have a family, husbands and wives, children, you should have a family devotional time. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Read God’s word. Talk about God’s word. Pray. Sing a song together some time. But, share God’s word with your family.

And maybe, consider whether or not God might be calling you…gifting you as a teacher, and ask for opportunities to serve. Ask the church, “Is there any opportunity anywhere for me to share with others?”

EXPERIENCE

In 1 Samuel 3, we see the critical importance of seeking the Spirit for scriptural sensitivity, recognizing that while we now live with the full canon of Scripture and the Spirit as our Teacher, God's Word can still be rare among people unwilling to hear it. In Samuel’s day, God broke a long silence, lighting up Israel again through Samuel’s prophetic ministry. Samuel’s call reminds us that growth in faith is gradual and God is extraordinarily patient with His people, nurturing them lovingly rather than rushing them. Samuel’s first prophetic task—to deliver a hard message to Eli—teaches the delicate balance between boldness and compassion when handling God’s Word. Faithful ministry must confront sin truthfully while also reflecting God's mercy. Finally, Samuel’s growth and proclamation show that receiving God’s Word responsibly transforms us and compels us to share it, whether through personal devotion, family discipleship, or opportunities in the church, trusting that God will use His Word to bear fruit in His people.