Berean Study Bible The LORD Calls SamuelDedicated to the Lord by Hannah, Samuel served at the tabernacle in Shiloh under Eli’s oversight. Though still young, he was being prepared for the work God had appointed for him during a time when the priesthood had been compromised by Eli’s sons. 1Sa 2:11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy began… Now in those days the word of the LORD was rare, Israel was in spiritual decline, and God’s messages to the nation were infrequent. The corruption surrounding the sanctuary reflected the wider condition of the people, who lacked faithful leadership and clear direction from the Lord. Amo 8:11 Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD…… and visions were scarce. Divine revelations, including visions as a means of divine communication, were uncommon, emphasizing the spiritual darkness of the period. Samuel’s calling would mark a change, as God raised him up to speak His word to Israel and guide the nation through a critical transition in its history. Lam 2:9 Her gates have sunk into the ground; He has destroyed… And at that time Israel was living in the troubled days of the judges, when spiritual disorder had weakened the nation. God was about to reveal Himself to Samuel and begin preparing him for a leading role in Israel. Jdg 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel;… Eli, whose eyesight had grown so dim that he could not see, Eli’s failing sight reflected his advanced age and underscored his declining ability to oversee the priesthood. His weakness stands against the corruption of his sons and the judgment already announced against his household. 1Sa 4:15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his gaze was fixed… was lying in his room. Eli had retired for the night while Samuel remained near the tabernacle. The quiet setting prepares for God’s call to Samuel and the passing of spiritual leadership from Eli’s house. 2Ki 4:10 Please let us make a small room upstairs… Before the lamp of God had gone out, The tabernacle lamp was kept burning through the night, placing these events in the early morning before dawn. Its remaining light marked the final hours of the night as God prepared to speak to Samuel. Lev 24:2-4 Command the Israelites to bring you pure oil for the light,… Samuel was lying down Samuel was still a boy serving under Eli’s care at Shiloh. While Eli’s strength and spiritual perception had declined, Samuel was being prepared to receive the word of the LORD and to assume a central role in Israel’s future. Gen 28:11-13 On reaching a certain place, he spent the night there… in the temple of the LORD, The temple was the tabernacle at Shiloh, Israel’s established place of worship before the building of Solomon’s Temple. Samuel rested within the sacred precincts where the priests served and where Israel came before the LORD. Exo 25:8-9 And they are to make a sanctuary for Me,… where the ark of God was located. The ark stood in the Most Holy Place as the sign of God’s covenant presence with Israel. Samuel’s setting near the ark underscores the seriousness of the revelation he was about to receive. 1Ki 8:6-8 Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant… Then the LORD called to Samuel, God broke the spiritual silence in Israel by summoning Samuel, who was serving in the tabernacle under Eli. Though still young and inexperienced, Samuel was being set apart to receive God’s word and to become the prophet who would lead Israel through the transition from the period of the judges to the monarchy. Exo 3:4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look,… and he answered, “Here I am.” Samuel responded promptly, believing Eli had called him. His readiness to answer revealed the faithful disposition that would mark his service, even before he understood that the LORD Himself was speaking. Gen 22:1 Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him,… He ran to Eli Samuel’s quick response reveals his obedience and respect for Eli, who had served as his guardian and spiritual instructor in the tabernacle. Though God was calling Samuel, he naturally assumed Eli needed him. 1Ki 19:20 So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said… and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” Samuel was attentive and ready to serve. His words reflect the close daily relationship between the boy and the aging priest, as well as Samuel’s humble willingness to respond immediately. Gen 22:11 Just then the angel of the LORD called out to him… “I did not call,” Eli replied. Eli did not yet recognize that the Lord was speaking to Samuel. His failure to perceive God’s activity contrasts with Samuel’s growing readiness to hear and obey, marking the beginning of a transfer in spiritual leadership within Israel. 1Ki 19:12-13 After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not… “Go back and lie down.” Believing Samuel had simply been mistaken, Eli sent him back to rest. The nighttime setting prepares for the Lord’s continued call and the revelation soon entrusted to Samuel. Psa 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone… So he went and lay down. Samuel obeyed without argument, returning to his place while remaining available for whatever instruction might come. 1Ki 19:5-6 Then he lay down under the broom tree… Once again the LORD called, “Samuel!” God patiently continued to summon Samuel, preparing him for the prophetic ministry he would soon receive. By calling Samuel personally, the LORD made clear that He had chosen the boy for His purposes. 1Ki 19:12-13 After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not… So Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” Samuel assumed Eli needed him and responded promptly, showing the faithful service he had learned while ministering in the tabernacle. Though he did not yet recognize the LORD’s voice, he was ready to obey. Gen 22:11 Just then the angel of the LORD called out to him… “My son, I did not call,” Eli replied. Eli addressed Samuel with fatherly affection, reflecting their close relationship. As the high priest, Eli had overseen Samuel’s upbringing and spiritual instruction, though he had not yet understood what was happening. Pro 1:8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction,… “Go back and lie down.” Eli sent Samuel back to rest, still unaware that the LORD was speaking to him. Samuel’s return would place him in readiness for the further revelation God intended to give. Psa 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone… Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, Though he faithfully served at the sanctuary under Eli, Samuel had not yet received the direct revelation that would establish him as the Lord’s prophet. Jdg 2:10 After that whole generation had also been gathered… because the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. God had not yet spoken to Samuel in the manner recorded in the verses that follow. His call would mark the beginning of his prophetic ministry and prepare Israel for the transition from the time of the judges to the monarchy. Amo 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan… Once again, for the third time, the LORD called to Samuel. God’s repeated call came in a period when revelation was rare in Israel. Samuel did not yet recognize the LORD’s voice, but God was preparing him to receive a message that would establish him as Israel’s prophet and judge. Exo 3:4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look,… He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” Believing Eli had summoned him, Samuel promptly obeyed. His willingness to serve Eli showed the disciplined character formed during his years of ministry at the sanctuary. Gen 22:1 Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him,… Then Eli realized that it was the LORD who was calling the boy. Though Eli had failed to restrain his sons, he understood that God was speaking to Samuel. His recognition marked the beginning of a transition in Israel’s spiritual leadership, as the LORD raised up Samuel while Eli’s house came under judgment. Jhn 10:27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them… “Go and lie down,” Eli sends Samuel back to the place where he had been resting near the sanctuary. After Samuel had mistaken the call for Eli’s voice twice, Eli understood that the LORD was calling the boy. 1Ki 19:5-6 Then he lay down under the broom tree… he said to Samuel, Though Eli’s household was under judgment because of his sons’ sin, he rightly guided Samuel in recognizing God’s call. Exo 3:4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look,… “and if He calls you, Eli expected the LORD to speak again, since God had begun to reveal Himself to Samuel. Isa 43:1 But now, this is what the LORD says—He who created you…… say, ‘Speak, LORD, Samuel was to answer with reverence, acknowledging the God of Israel as the One who had called him. Exo 20:19 “Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said… for Your servant is listening.’” He was to receive God’s word as a servant ready to obey. Psa 85:8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say;… So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Samuel obeyed Eli and returned to his customary place, awaiting the LORD’s further revelation. 1Ki 17:5 So Elijah did what the LORD had told him,… Then the LORD came and stood there, The LORD’s personal appearance underscores the gravity of the revelation entrusted to Samuel. God had previously made His will known through visible manifestations, and here He confirms that Samuel’s call is direct and authoritative. This moment begins Samuel’s public role in Israel as the nation moved from the era of the judges toward the establishment of the monarchy. Exo 34:5 And the LORD descended in a cloud, stood with him there… calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” The repeated call shows the LORD’s deliberate summons of Samuel as His servant. Samuel had learned to recognize the divine voice through Eli’s instruction, and the LORD now addresses him personally. His calling would lead to a ministry that included judging Israel, confronting sin, and anointing Saul and David as kings. Exo 3:4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look,… And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” Samuel responds with humility and readiness to receive God’s word. Unlike Eli’s sons, who treated the LORD’s commands with contempt, Samuel submits himself to God’s authority. His willingness to listen establishes the pattern of faithful obedience that would characterize his prophetic ministry. 1Ki 3:9 Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart… Then the LORD said to Samuel, Having called Samuel to recognize His voice, the Lord entrusted the boy with a message that would establish his role as a prophet. At a time when Eli’s leadership had declined and revelation was rare, God chose Samuel to announce His coming judgment. Num 12:6-8 He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you… “I am about to do something in Israel The Lord would begin with Eli’s household. Hophni and Phinehas had dishonored their priestly office, and Eli had failed to restrain them. Their fall would reveal God’s holiness and bring a decisive change to Israel’s leadership. 1Sa 2:34 And this sign shall come to you concerning your two sons… at which the ears of all who hear it will tingle. The report would bring shock and fear because the judgment would be severe and unmistakable. God would carry out His warning against Eli’s house before all Israel. 2Ki 21:12 this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says:… On that day God had appointed a definite time to bring His warning to fulfillment. 1Sa 4:11 The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons,…… I will carry out He would personally execute the judgment He had declared. Jer 1:12 “You have observed correctly,” said the LORD,… against Eli Israel’s high priest was held responsible for tolerating the wickedness of his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, in their service at the sanctuary. 1Sa 2:27-30 Then a man of God came to Eli and told him,… everything I have spoken The judgment announced earlier through the man of God would be fulfilled without alteration. 1Ki 8:56 Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel… about his house, Eli’s family would lose its priestly position because of its persistent corruption and his failure to restrain it. 1Sa 2:35-36 Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest.… from beginning to end. God’s judgment would be complete, beginning with the death of Eli and his sons and reaching its full outcome when Eli’s line was removed from the priesthood. Isa 46:10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times… I told him that I would judge his house forever God had announced through Samuel that Eli’s family would come under lasting judgment. The house of Eli included his descendants and the priestly line he represented. Though the priesthood had been entrusted to Aaron’s family, Eli’s branch would lose its place because of persistent corruption. 1Sa 2:30-34 Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares:… for the iniquity of which he knows, Eli knew the conduct of Hophni and Phinehas. Their sins were public, and reports of their behavior had reached him. As Israel’s high priest and their father, he bore responsibility to confront wrongdoing within his household and among those serving at the sanctuary. Ezk 33:7-9 As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman… because his sons blasphemed God Hophni and Phinehas despised the offerings of the Lord, seized portions that did not belong to them, and committed immoral acts at the tent of meeting. Their conduct dishonored God and treated holy service as an opportunity for personal gain. Lev 24:15-16 And you are to tell the Israelites, ‘If anyone curses… and he did not restrain them. Eli rebuked his sons but did not remove them from their office or stop their abuses. His failure to exercise the authority entrusted to him allowed their sin to continue, bringing judgment upon his family. 1Ki 1:6 (His father had never once reprimanded him by saying… Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli, God’s judgment on Eli’s family was certain and binding. Though Eli served as Israel’s high priest and judge, he failed to restrain his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who dishonored the Lord through their corruption at the sanctuary. 1Sa 2:30-34 Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares:… ‘The iniquity of Eli’s house shall never be atoned for Their iniquity—the moral corruption and sinfulness of Eli’s sons—involved persistent abuse of priestly office and contempt for what God had made holy. Judgment fell not merely because of isolated failures, but because rebellion continued without repentance and Eli did not act decisively. Isa 22:14 The LORD of Hosts has revealed in my hearing… by sacrifice or offering.’” The sacrifices appointed under the Law could not remove the guilt of a house placed under God’s declared judgment. Eli’s line would lose its priestly prominence, and the deaths of his sons would confirm that the Lord’s word had come to pass. Heb 10:4-10 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats…
Samuel Shares the VisionAfter receiving the LORD’s message, Samuel returned to his place and waited through the night. Though the revelation concerned judgment on Eli’s household, he did not act impulsively or presume to speak before the proper time. Rut 3:14 So she lay down at his feet until morning,… then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. At daybreak Samuel resumed his regular duties at the sanctuary in Shiloh. His faithful service continued even after the LORD had called him as a prophet, marking the beginning of a greater responsibility in Israel. 2Ch 29:3 In the first month of the first year of his reign,… He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, The message announced God’s judgment because Eli had failed to restrain his wicked sons. Samuel feared bringing such grave news to the elderly priest who had cared for him, yet he would soon be required to speak all that the LORD had revealed. Jer 1:7-8 But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’… but Eli called to him Eli, Israel’s aging priest and judge, had recognized that the Lord was speaking to Samuel. After Samuel remained silent through the night, afraid to report the vision, Eli summoned him. Gen 3:9 But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?” and said, “Samuel, my son.” Eli’s affectionate address reflects the close relationship formed as Samuel served in the tabernacle under his care. Though not his natural son, Samuel belonged to Eli’s household and instruction. Pro 1:8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction,… “Here I am,” answered Samuel. Samuel responded respectfully and promptly, prepared to hear Eli’s request even though he feared sharing the Lord’s message against Eli’s house. Exo 3:4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look,… “What was the message He gave you?” Eli asked. Having realized that the Lord was calling Samuel, Eli understood that the boy had received a divine message. He also knew that judgment had been announced against his own household because of the wickedness of his sons and his failure to restrain them. Jer 37:17 Later, King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and received him… “Do not hide it from me. Eli required Samuel to report everything the Lord had said. Though Samuel feared telling him, the message belonged to God and could not be withheld. Jos 7:19 So Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD,… May God punish you, and ever so severely, if you hide from me anything He said to you.” Eli placed Samuel under a solemn oath, showing that he expected the message to concern God’s judgment. Samuel’s faithful report marked the beginning of his public role as the one through whom the Lord would speak to Israel. 2Sa 3:35 Then all the people came and urged David to eat something… So Samuel told him everything and did not hide a thing from him. Samuel faithfully delivered God’s message to Eli without withholding its severe judgment against Eli’s household. Though still young, he showed the honesty and courage required of one who speaks for God. His complete report confirmed that the Lord had begun to reveal Himself through Samuel and prepared him for his future ministry in Israel. Jer 42:4 “I have heard you,” replied Jeremiah the prophet.”… “He is the LORD,” replied Eli. Eli recognized that the message came from the Lord and that God had the right to judge his house. He did not dispute Samuel’s report or deny the sins of his sons, whose wickedness he had failed to restrain. 1Ki 18:39 When all the people saw this, they fell facedown… “Let Him do what is good in His eyes.” Eli submitted to God’s decision, acknowledging that the Lord’s judgment is right. His response accepted the coming consequences, though it did not remove the judgment already pronounced against his family. 2Sa 15:26 But if He should say, ‘I do not delight in you,’… And Samuel grew, Samuel continued to serve at Shiloh under Eli’s care, growing in maturity and in the responsibilities God was preparing him to bear. 1Sa 2:26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature… and the LORD was with him, Samuel emerged as God’s chosen servant at a time when Israel lacked faithful spiritual leadership, and the LORD was with him. Gen 39:2-3 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man… and He let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. God confirmed Samuel’s prophetic authority by bringing to pass what He spoke through him, establishing him as a trustworthy prophet before all Israel. 1Ki 8:56 Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel… So all Israel from Dan to Beersheba From Israel’s northernmost region to its southern boundary, the nation recognized Samuel’s standing. This broad acknowledgment showed that his ministry had reached every tribe during a time when Israel was often divided and spiritually unstable. Jdg 20:1 Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba… knew that Samuel was confirmed Samuel’s reliability had become evident through the fulfillment of God’s word and the consistency of his service. Israel understood that the LORD had established him for a distinct calling. 1Sa 9:6 “Look,” said the servant, “in this city there is a man… as a prophet of the LORD. Samuel spoke God’s word to the nation at a time when divine revelation had been rare. His ministry helped restore spiritual direction in Israel and prepared the way for the leadership changes that would follow. 2Ch 35:18 No such Passover had been observed in Israel… And the LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, Shiloh remained Israel’s central place of worship, where the tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant were kept. Though Eli’s sons had corrupted the priesthood and Israel faced spiritual decline, the LORD did not abandon His people. He continued to make His presence known at the sanctuary. Jos 18:1 Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh.… because there He revealed Himself to Samuel Samuel was being established as God’s prophet during a critical transition in Israel’s history. His calling marked the end of the era of the judges and prepared the nation for the coming monarchy. Through Samuel, the LORD would direct Israel, confront sin, and appoint Saul and David as kings. Gen 35:7 There Jacob built an altar, and he called that place… by His word. God disclosed His will to Samuel by His word in a clear and authoritative manner. Samuel’s ministry rested on faithfully receiving and delivering what the LORD spoke, making him a trusted spiritual leader for all Israel. Deu 18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you… This is a draft of the Berean Study Bible. Please send all comments and recommendations to bereanstudybible@aol.com. Bible Hub |
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