1 Samuel

1 Samuel 3: The LORD speaks to Samuel

Begin in prayer

Before we listen with young Samuel as the LORD calls his name in the night, let us pray together. Ask Him to open our ears, to speak to our family, and to show us Jesus.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Matthew 13:9

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You speak to Your people, and help us to listen to You and to Your Son. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Samuel served the LORD in the house at Shiloh under the old priest Eli, and the LORD’s word was precious in those days. One night the LORD called Samuel, and the boy ran to Eli three times, because he did not yet know the LORD’s voice. Eli told Samuel how to answer, and when the LORD called again, Samuel said, “Speak; for your servant hears.” The LORD told Samuel that He would judge Eli’s house, because Eli did not restrain his sons. In the morning Samuel was afraid to tell Eli, but Eli insisted, and Samuel told him every word. The LORD was with Samuel, and all Israel knew that he was a prophet of the LORD.

As you read 1 Samuel 3, look for the answers:

• Who calls Samuel by name in the night? (verse 4)
• What does the LORD say He will do in Israel? (verse 11)
• What does Eli say when Samuel tells him every word? (verse 18)

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD calls Samuel by name, and He speaks His word to His servant.

In those days the word of the LORD was rare, and visions were not common (verse 1). Samuel served in the house of the LORD at Shiloh, near the ark, under the old priest Eli. He served there, but he did not yet know the LORD, and the LORD's word had not been shown to him (verse 7). So the LORD took the first step and called him by name, three times before Eli saw who was speaking (verse 8). The first word he heard was hard. The LORD would judge Eli's house, because Eli's sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not restrain them (verses 11 to 13). Samuel hid nothing from Eli (verse 18). The LORD was with him, and all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew he was a prophet (verses 19 and 20). The LORD still speaks to us in His Word, and He calls sinners to hear His Son.

How does 1 Samuel 3 show us that the LORD calls Samuel by name, and speaks His word to His servant?

The LORD calls Samuel by name.

Samuel was lying down near the ark in the LORD's house when he heard his name called (verses 3 and 4). He ran to Eli three times, because he did not yet know the LORD (verses 5 to 7). After the third time Eli understood that the LORD was calling the boy (verse 8). The fourth time the LORD came and stood there and called Samuel by name twice (verse 10).

The LORD speaks His word, and His servant listens.

Eli told Samuel to answer that the LORD's servant was listening (verse 9). The LORD said He would act in Israel, and the ears of all who heard it would tingle (verse 11). He would carry out against Eli's house all He had spoken (verse 12). God once spoke by the prophets and has now spoken to us by His Son (Hebrews 1 verses 1 and 2).

Samuel tells Eli every word the LORD speaks.

Samuel lay until morning and was afraid to tell the vision to Eli (verse 15). Eli called him and made him promise to hide nothing (verses 16 and 17). Samuel told him every word, and Eli said it was the LORD, who should do what seemed good to Him (verse 18). The LORD was with Samuel and let none of his words fall to the ground (verse 19).

Memorise

Yahweh came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak; for your servant hears.”

1 Samuel 3:10

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I listen to God’s Word and know that I need His Son, Jesus?

Samuel did not yet know the LORD's voice, so he ran to Eli three times. Then the LORD came and stood and called, “Samuel! Samuel!” He speaks first, because we do not look for Him on our own.

Our sin makes us deaf to God, and the word of judgment on Eli's house is a warning for every sinner. The Son of God bore God's anger against sin at the cross and died for His people. Jesus rose alive on the third day. The Father has spoken to us in His Son, and nothing is missing from His work.

Listen to Him today. Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus, the Word God has spoken. He receives every sinner who answers His call, and He gives forgiveness to everyone who believes in Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God still speaks to us in His Word, and that He speaks fully in His Son, Jesus. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for speaking to us in His Son, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.”

Isaiah 30:21

Father, thank You that You speak to Your people and call us by name. Thank You for speaking to us in Jesus, Your Son. Give us ears to hear You, and hearts that answer You as Samuel did. Turn each of us from our sin, and help us to trust Your Son. Keep us listening to You this week. Amen.