Shiloh in the last hour of night: the tabernacle’s white linen court pale in starlight on its rise, a faint warm glow at the tent’s entrance, dark stone rooms beside it with one doorway open.

The Book of

1 Samuel 3

The word of the LORD was rare in those days. Then, before the lamp went out, a voice called a boy by name.

21 verses≈ 4 min2 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–7SamuelA boy who listenedChapter 3
8–15SaulA king like the nations
16–20David risesThe LORD looks at the heart
21–27David huntedThe anointed one waits
28–31Saul fallsEndor and Gilboa

The LORD Calls Samuel

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Then the LORD called to Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.”

He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” “I did not call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

God

Once again the LORD called, “Samuel!”

Samuel

So Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.”

Eli

“My son, I did not call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.”

Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, because the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. Once again, for the third time, the LORD called to Samuel.

Samuel

He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.”

Then Eli realized that it was the LORD who was calling the boy.

Eli

“Go and lie down,” he said to Samuel, “and if He calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

1 Samuel 3:10

Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do something in Israel at which the ears of all who hear it will tingle.

On that day I will carry out against Eli everything I have spoken about his house, from beginning to end. I told him that I would judge his house forever for the iniquity of which he knows, because his sons blasphemed God and he did not restrain them. Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli, ‘The iniquity of Eli’s house shall never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’”

Reflect

Speak, for Your servant is listening

Samuel did not yet know the LORD’s voice, and Eli taught him how to answer. Then the word he heard was hard. When you open the Bible this week, begin with Samuel’s words: “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” Write down one thing God says that you would rather not hear, and what it would mean to obey it.

Samuel Shares the Vision

Samuel lay down until the morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision,

Eli

but Eli called to him and said, “Samuel, my son.”

Samuel

“Here I am,” answered Samuel.

Eli

“What was the message He gave you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God punish you, and ever so severely, if you hide from me anything He said to you.”

So Samuel told him everything and did not hide a thing from him.

Eli

“He is the LORD,” replied Eli. “Let Him do what is good in His eyes.”

Morning at the gate of the small town by Shiloh: the boy Samuel stands speaking to a small group of villagers who listen closely; the linen court beyond.

And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and He let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.

Dawn from a high ridge in the hill country of Ephraim: ridge after ridge of terraced hills runs into blue distance, Shiloh’s white linen court small in the valley below, a lone traveler with a staff on the path.

So all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD. And the LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, because there He revealed Himself to Samuel by His word.

0:12

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Question

Quick question

Samuel ran to Eli each time he heard his name.

How many times did the LORD call Samuel before Samuel said, ‘Speak, for Your servant is listening’?

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1 Samuel 3

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A verse to carry with you

Speak, for Your servant is listening.

1 Samuel 3:10

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