1 Samuel 3:21
And the LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, because there He revealed Himself to Samuel by His word.
And the LORD continued to appear
The phrase highlights the ongoing nature of God's revelation to His people. The Hebrew root for "appear" is "ra'ah," which means to see or to be seen. This indicates a visible manifestation of God's presence, emphasizing His desire to be known and to communicate with His chosen ones. Historically, this period marks a transition from the time of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy in Israel, with Samuel playing a pivotal role as a prophet. God's continued appearance signifies His active involvement and guidance during this critical juncture in Israel's history.

at Shiloh
Shiloh was a significant religious center in ancient Israel, where the Tabernacle was located before the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Archaeological findings at Shiloh, such as remnants of storage rooms and pottery, suggest it was a place of pilgrimage and worship. Theologically, Shiloh represents a place of divine encounter and revelation. It is where God chose to reveal Himself, underscoring the importance of sacred spaces in facilitating communion with the divine.

because there He revealed Himself
The Hebrew word for "revealed" is "galah," which means to uncover or disclose. This implies an intentional act of God making Himself known to Samuel. The revelation is not just informational but relational, as God seeks to establish a personal connection with Samuel. This act of revelation is foundational for Samuel's prophetic ministry, as it equips him with divine insight and authority to lead Israel.

to Samuel
Samuel, whose name means "heard of God," is a central figure in the narrative of Israel's history. His life is marked by a deep commitment to God, beginning with his miraculous birth and dedication to the Lord by his mother, Hannah. Samuel's role as a prophet, priest, and judge highlights the multifaceted nature of his ministry. His receptivity to God's revelation at a young age sets a precedent for spiritual sensitivity and obedience.

by the word of the LORD
The "word of the LORD" is a powerful and dynamic concept in Scripture, often associated with God's creative and redemptive activity. In Hebrew, "dabar" signifies not just spoken words but also actions and events. This phrase underscores the authority and efficacy of God's communication. For Samuel, receiving the word of the LORD signifies his role as a conduit for divine messages to the people of Israel. It also foreshadows the prophetic tradition where God's word is central to guiding and shaping the destiny of His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who reveals Himself to His people and communicates His will.

2. Samuel
A young prophet and judge in Israel, dedicated to the LORD by his mother Hannah, and serving under Eli the priest.

3. Shiloh
A significant religious center in Israel during this period, where the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant were located.

4. The Word of the LORD
The divine communication and revelation given to Samuel, marking him as a true prophet of God.
Teaching Points
Divine Revelation
God reveals Himself to those who are attentive and willing to listen. Samuel's experience at Shiloh reminds us of the importance of being open to God's voice in our lives.

The Role of the Prophet
Samuel's role as a prophet underscores the importance of faithfully delivering God's message. We are called to be messengers of God's truth in our own contexts.

The Significance of Place
Shiloh, as a place of worship and revelation, teaches us about the importance of sacred spaces where we can encounter God. We should seek out and cherish places where we can connect with Him.

Continuity of God's Presence
The LORD's continued appearance at Shiloh signifies His ongoing presence and faithfulness. We can trust that God is always with us, guiding and revealing His will.

The Word of the LORD
The phrase "by the word of the LORD" emphasizes the power and authority of God's word. We should prioritize Scripture in our lives as the primary means through which God speaks to us today.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Samuel's experience of hearing from God at Shiloh encourage us to be attentive to God's voice in our own lives?

2. In what ways can we create "sacred spaces" in our daily routines to better hear from God?

3. How does the role of a prophet in the Old Testament compare to our role as Christians in sharing God's message today?

4. What are some practical ways we can ensure that the Word of the LORD remains central in our lives?

5. How does understanding God's faithfulness in appearing to Samuel at Shiloh strengthen our trust in His presence and guidance in our lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 12:1-3
God's revelation to Abram, establishing a pattern of divine communication and covenant.

Exodus 3:1-6
God's revelation to Moses at the burning bush, highlighting the importance of divine encounters.

1 Samuel 3:1-10
The calling of Samuel, where God first speaks to him, setting the stage for his prophetic ministry.

Hebrews 1:1-2
The concept of God speaking through prophets in the past and ultimately through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Communications from GodDean Goulburn.1 Samuel 3:20-21
From Dan to Beer-ShebaT. Champness.1 Samuel 3:20-21
The Call and Prophetic Work of SamuelT. W. Jenkyn, D. D.1 Samuel 3:20-21
People
Dan, Eli, Samuel
Places
Beersheba, Dan, Shiloh
Topics
Addeth, Appear, Appeared, Revealed, Revelation, Samuel, Shiloh
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Samuel 3:21

     8135   knowing God, nature of

1 Samuel 3:1-21

     5658   boys

Library
Divine Calls.
"And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel; Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for Thy servant heareth."--1 Samuel iii. 10. In the narrative of which these words form part, we have a remarkable instance of a Divine call, and the manner in which it is our duty to meet it. Samuel was from a child brought to the house of the Lord; and in due time he was called to a sacred office, and made a prophet. He was called, and he forthwith answered the call. God said, "Samuel,
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

A Private Enquiry
"What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee?"--1 Samuel 3:17. THE Lord would not speak directly to Eli, although he was the High Priest. In ordinary circumstances it would have been so; but Eli had grieved the Lord, and thus had lost his honorable standing. God had not cast him off; but he viewed him with such displeasure that he would only speak to him through another person: even as great kings, if they are offended with their courtiers, send them messages by other hands. The Lord sent,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

What the Truth Saith Inwardly Without Noise of Words
Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.(1) I am Thy servant; O give me understanding that I may know Thy testimonies. Incline my heart unto the words of Thy mouth.(2) Let thy speech distil as the dew. The children of Israel spake in old time to Moses, Speak thou unto us and we will hear, but let not the Lord speak unto us lest we die.(3) Not thus, O Lord, not thus do I pray, but rather with Samuel the prophet, I beseech Thee humbly and earnestly, Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth. Let not Moses
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Samuel, the Little Server
It was some years after Ruth's son had been born in Bethlehem that another mother was made glad by the precious gift of a little son. This mother's name was Hannah, and her baby was a special joy to her because she had so longed to have a son and had prayed so earnestly to God for this great gift. There was no doubt about the baby's name. He was called "Samuel," which means "God has heard." [Illustration: "Samuel answered, Speak; for Thy servant heareth." 1 Sam. iii. 10.] For had not God listened
Amy Steedman—The Babe in the Bulrushes

By Collating Similar Passages with 1 Sam. ...
By collating similar passages with 1 Sam. iii. 25, St. Ambrose shows that the meaning is not that no one shall intercede, but that the intercessor must be worthy as were Moses and Jeremiah, at whose prayers we read that God spared Israel. 40. But you say, It is written: "If a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him?" [2968] First of all, as I already said before, I might allow you to make that objection if you refused penance to those only who denied the faith. But what difficulty does
St. Ambrose—Works and Letters of St. Ambrose

Letter Xlvi (Circa A. D. 1125) to Guigues, the Prior, and to the Other Monks of the Grand Chartreuse
To Guigues, the Prior, And to the Other Monks of the Grand Chartreuse He discourses much and piously of the law of true and sincere charity, of its signs, its degrees, its effects, and of its perfection which is reserved for Heaven (Patria). Brother Bernard, of Clairvaux, wishes health eternal to the most reverend among fathers, and to the dearest among friends, Guigues, Prior of the Grande Chartreuse, and to the holy Monks who are with him. 1. I have received the letter of your Holiness as joyfully
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Being Made Archbishop of Armagh, He Suffers Many Troubles. Peace Being Made, from Being Archbishop of Armagh He Becomes Bishop of Down.
[Sidenote: 1129] 19. (12). Meanwhile[365] it happened that Archbishop Cellach[366] fell sick: he it was who ordained Malachy deacon, presbyter and bishop: and knowing that he was dying he made a sort of testament[367] to the effect that Malachy ought to succeed him,[368] because none seemed worthier to be bishop of the first see. This he gave in charge to those who were present, this he commanded to the absent, this to the two kings of Munster[369] and to the magnates of the land he specially enjoined
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Faithlessness and Defeat
'And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. 2. And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men. 3. And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us today before the Philistines?
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christian Meekness
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5 We are now got to the third step leading in the way to blessedness, Christian meekness. Blessed are the meek'. See how the Spirit of God adorns the hidden man of the heart, with multiplicity of graces! The workmanship of the Holy Ghost is not only curious, but various. It makes the heart meek, pure, peaceable etc. The graces therefore are compared to needlework, which is different and various in its flowers and colours (Psalm 45:14).
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Our Attitude Toward his Sovereignty
"Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in Thy sight" (Matt. 11:26). In the present chapter we shall consider, somewhat briefly, the practical application to ourselves of the great truth which we have pondered in its various ramifications in earlier pages. In chapter twelve we shall deal more in detail with the value of this doctrine but here we would confine ourselves to a definition of what ought to be our attitude toward the Sovereignty of God. Every truth that is revealed to us in God's Word
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
OR, THE EXCELLENCY OF A BROKEN HEART: SHOWING THE NATURE, SIGNS, AND PROPER EFFECTS OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT. BEING THE LAST WORKS OF THAT EMINENT PREACHER AND FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, MR. JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. WITH A PREFACE PREFIXED THEREUNTO BY AN EMINENT MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN LONDON. London: Sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgates, 1692. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The very excellent preface to this treatise, written by George Cokayn, will inform the reader of
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Effectual Calling
'Them he also called.' Rom 8:80. Q-xxxi: WHAT IS EFFECTUAL CALLING? A: It is a gracious work of the Spirit, whereby he causes us to embrace Christ freely, as he is offered to us in the gospel. In this verse is the golden chain of salvation, made up of four links, of which one is vocation. Them he also called.' Calling is nova creatio, a new creation,' the first resurrection. There is a two-fold call: (1.) An outward call: (2.) An inward call. (1.) An outward call, which is God's offer of grace to
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Thoughts Upon Self-Denyal.
THE most glorious Sight questionless that was ever to be seen upon the face of the Earth, was to see the Son of God here, to see the supreme Being and Governour of the World here; to see the Creator of all things conversing here with his own Creatures; to see God himself with the nature, and in the shape of Man; walking about upon the surface of the Earth, and discoursing with silly Mortals here; and that with so much Majesty and Humility mixed together, that every expression might seem a demonstration
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life

Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
Ver. 1. "And it shall come to pass, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." The communication of the Spirit of God was the constant prerogative of the Covenant-people. Indeed, the very idea of such a people necessarily requires it. For the Spirit of God is the only inward bond betwixt Him and that which is created; a Covenant-people, therefore, without such an inward
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Christian's Book
Scripture references 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 2 Samuel 23:2; Luke 1:70; 24:32,45; John 2:22; 10:35; 19:36; Acts 1:16; Romans 1:1,2; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; James 2:8. WHAT IS THE BIBLE? What is the Bible? How shall we regard it? Where shall we place it? These and many questions like them at once come to the front when we begin to discuss the Bible as a book. It is only possible in this brief study, of a great subject, to indicate the line of some of the answers.
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were Wrought in It.
[Sidenote: 1139] 33. (20). It seemed to him, however, that one could not go on doing these things with sufficient security without the authority of the Apostolic See; and for that reason he determined to set out for Rome, and most of all because the metropolitan see still lacked, and from the beginning had lacked, the use of the pall, which is the fullness of honour.[507] And it seemed good in his eyes[508] that the church for which he had laboured so much[509] should acquire, by his zeal and labour,
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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