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Samuel's calling

I love the calling of Samuel from the Old Testament book 1 Samuel chapter 3. As we read the story we see that three times the Lord spoke to Samuel. Each time Samuel got up and ran to Eli his master and asked what he wanted. The third time Eli realised it was God speaking to Samuel and told him to go back and what to say.

Samuel went back to his bed. Then the Bible tells us that the Lord came and stood there with Samuel. I have read this passage many times, but it was only recently that I realised that God actually came and stood there with Samuel.

On reflecting on this I found that I had to look back and see what happened before God came and stood with Samuel in the flesh. Several things jumped out. But first let's have a look at the text...

Reading - 1 Samuel 3

1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.

2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called Samuel.
Samuel answered, "Here I am." 5 And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.

6 Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
"My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD : The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

8 The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"
Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

11 And the LORD said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, 'The guilt of Eli's house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.' "

15 Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the LORD. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, 16 but Eli called him and said, "Samuel, my son."
Samuel answered, "Here I am."

17 "What was it he said to you?" Eli asked. "Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you." 18 So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, "He is the LORD; let him do what is good in his eyes."

19 The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD. 21 The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.

Let's see what we can learn from this passage

1. Samuel was dedicated to the Lord before his birth

Hannah his mother could not have kids, but she prayed and said she would commit any child to God’s service. God answered her prayer and Samuel was born. Hannah was very thankful to the Lord and did as she promised.

2. He lived in the Temple and served Eli faithfully

The preceding chapters tell us that after he was weaned he was taken to live with Eli the Priest. We see that he served in the Temple from a young age. It doesn’t say too much of what he did, but it would probably be the things he was able to do and then progressed in importance as time went by. When God spoke we see that he ran to Eli to serve him.

3. He slept near the Ark

Verse three tells us that Samuel slept near the Ark of the Covenant. This is where God’s presence dwelt among his people. If God was going to speak or be present, this is where it would happen. Samuel was right there next to it.

How does this apply to us?

I found these things really interesting. That he was dedicated to God, serving him faithfully from a young age and was right near God’s presence when He came to him.

Perhaps if you are wanting to hear from God you could follow Samuel’s lead. Dedicate yourself afresh, serve with all of your heart and get into God’s presence daily. That way we will put ourselves in to the best position to hear from God. Hopefully like Samuel did, you will recognise His voice and say, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening”.