1 Samuel 3:1-21: Speak, Lord; For Your Servant Hears

 

1 Samuel 3:1-21: Speak, Lord; For Your Servant Hears

Samuel is called by God.  In verse 7 it says, "Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him."  Yet, in spite of this, God called Samuel and, based on advice from Eli, tells the Lord he is listening.

Verses 19-21 tell us that Samuel became prophet of the Lord as was well-known.  Because of his humble and willing heart, the Lord used Samuel in a mighty way.  Because he has an honorable reputation, both Kings Saul and David often called upon Samuel for council and/or a word from God.

May I also always be willing to be used by and for the Lord and say, "Speak, for thy servant heareth."  And may I always be as bold as Samuel and never fear to speak the Truth!

(1 Samuel 1:1-21) And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision... and Samuel was laid down to sleep; That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, "Here am I."

And he ran unto Eli, and said, "Here am I; for thou calledst me."

And he said, "I called not; lie down again."

And he went and lay down. And the Lord called yet again, "Samuel." 

And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here am I; for thou didst call me. "

And he answered, "I called not, my son; lie down again."

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here am I; for thou didst call me. "

And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, "Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, 'Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.'"

So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, "Samuel, Samuel."

Then Samuel answered, "Speak; for thy servant heareth."

And the Lord said to Samuel, "Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not...."

And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.

Then Eli called Samuel, and he said, "What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me..."

And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him... And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.