SAMUEL’S CALL
Samuel was the last of Israel’s judges and not only delivered the nation from the Philistines, but also nurtured the people with the word of the Lord, judging well throughout his lifetime. He also presided over the transition of Israel to a system of kingship, anointing Saul and David. Despite his grand achievements, his beginnings were simple. Born of a promise to Hannah and Elkanah, he was given over to the Lord’s service and ministered under Eli the high priest, when he first received the call from God.
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” 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. 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. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1Samuel 3:7-10)
The receptiveness and discipline of Samuel as a young boy shines through in this account. God often speaks to man in the dead of night, when all other voices have stilled. Even after a long day of work, fatigue and the need to sleep did not deter Samuel from responding in obedience to the call that came. He was committed to the service of the Lord. He did need to be trained by Eli to recognize the voice of the Lord, but once he did, his willingness to listen and incorporate is evident. Further in the account, we read of how Samuel responded to God’s word.
The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. (1Samuel 3:19-21)
He let none of God’s words fall to the ground- a picture of total obedience and perfect submission. Nothing is as challenging and as rewarding as obedience. Samuel was able to translate the presence of God in his life to obedience and the results were there to see. From a young age, he began to be recognized as God’s prophet throughout the nation of Israel, setting in motion what would end up being a transcendent ministry for several decades to follow, stabilizing the nation through the tumult of kingship leading on to the ascent of David, the greatest king of Israel.
