November 1st, 2026: The Prophet is Called | 1 Samuel 3:8-20

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:15-17).

Genesis whispered of a kingdom to come for the nation of Israel. At his pending death and during the blessing of his sons, Jacob mentioned a scepter - the ceremonial emblem of a ruling king within the family of his son Judah. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. (Genesis 49:10)  

Moses warned the generation preparing to enter the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the desert, that there would indeed come a time when the nation of Israel would want a King like every other nation.  When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. (Deuteronomy 17: 14-15)  God raised up a prophet.   Samuel  judged and directed the nation to their King.  

The Nation of Israel  spent three centuries attempting to govern themselves, (doing right in their own eyes). They had failed miserably.  At the time of our lesson, there was blatant and public  sin in the tabernacle of God. The tabernacle itself had become a mostly permanent fixture in Shiloh. The priests had corrupted themselves, the law, and had caused the people to abhor the giving of offerings to the Lord. 

 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.

God sends a child. It is important to remember that Samuel was dedicated to the Lord by his mother Hannah.  She had prayed for a son and having been answered by God,  conceived Samuel.  When he was weaned, she took him to the tabernacle in Shiloh and lent him to the priests as she had vowed.  Most commentators think that Samuel would have been between three and five years old when she gave him over to Eli the priest. 

Scripture does not say how old Samuel was at the time of his calling.  He is not yet a man. He is referred to as a child.  At this point scripture says that Samuel does not know the Lord.  Interestingly, this is the same phrase that is used to describe the priestly sons of Eli.  The same men that are responsible to lead the people and teach about God, do not even  know Him.  That should be a warning to all.  It is possible to be in a recognized place of religious authority and yet not know God.   

In this passage, God has called out to Samuel three times.  Being a child Samuel does not know what is happening and each time has run to Eli thinking he had called out.  This third time Eli recognizes that  it is God that is talking to Samuel.  

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.

Eli’s advice to Samuel was to answer God’s call as a servant.  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28).

We must approach Him with the reverence He deserves.  May we always be wise enough to recognize the voice of our creator.  That still small voice that is strong enough to break our hearts and wise in directing our lives. 

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 therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

Thankfully Eli had instructed Samuel wisely!  He answered as he was told - “speak for thy servant heareth.”  God had sent a messenger in the chapter prior, telling Eli of his guilt and punishments. God confirms with Samuel that He will do as he has said. 

 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 said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. And he said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.

The sign of a true prophet was that he was devoted to telling the people what God had said and not what he/she preferred to say.  It must have been difficult for the young Samuel to tell Eli the things that he knew would be hard to hear.  Eli made it a little easier for him by telling him that he was not to keep anything back.  

When presented with the truth of God’s word, it is our obligation to tell it correctly and the way God had intended.  We are not to add our opinion or change the message.  We don’t need to make up, delete from or add to the word of God. 

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.

How did they know that Samuel grew up to be a great prophet?  Because everything he said from God came true. Nothing “fell to the ground” as useless. God speaks through and appears to Samuel.  Samuel “knows” Him. 

So what does this story mean for us?   And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3) We, like Samuel, cannot be afraid to speak  and listen to God.  Jesus said to approach him as a child.  We need to know Him, each in our own personal way.  His callings are sure.  His plans are faithful.  We approach willing to be of service, trusting, humble, and obedient. 

Being a prophet was not mystical or magical  as many think of today.  At this time they were often called Seers.  They were given information from God to give to others.  It was delivered to them when God decided and how God decided.  A true prophet speaking for God, would not have anything to say that compromised or contradicted the actual word of God.  There were very specific warnings against being a false prophets - or those who said they had heard from God but had not.  

But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. (Deuteronomy 18:20).

Jesus warned of false prophets as He spoke to the crowds that followed Him. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matthew 7:15) They may look good, but what are they actually saying?  

We are warned today that even as in the early church there were many that spewed false ideas and taught things that were not of God.

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.(2 Peter 2:1-3)  These look and sound good but they are not of God.  Thankfully, John tells us how to spot the pretenders. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1John 4:1-4).

Having the full word of God and the living testimony of the life of Christ, we have all we need to separate lies from the truth.  God’s voice doesn’t contradict what we see in Christ, it always confirms it.  We are waiting on our King, and when He appears we will recognize Him, because just like Samuel, we know Him.  No one else compares.

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!