LYRICS FOR TODAY'S SONGS
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1. We need a miracle

2. When I look into your holiness

3. Heart of Worship

4. Greater are you

Sermon Notes
Samuel 3:1-4:1 | ISG

Storyline
1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. 2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was.

4 Then the LORD called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!”…7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him…Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy… 10 And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”

15 Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli…18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him.”

19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD. 21 And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD. 1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel.


The Text in Context
“This account of God’s choice of Samuel to be his prophet complements the preceding chapter, which tells of his rejecting the house of Eli. As noted above, chapter 2 contrasts Eli and his sons with Samuel. They were rejected, while Samuel grew in favor with the Lord (2:26). That contrast continues here. Samuel, earlier pictured in a priestly role (2:18), now also assumes a prophetic office. The Lord commissions him to reiterate the Lord’s coming judgment of Eli’s house and subsequently blesses his prophetic ministry, which all Israel recognizes as legitimate. As noted earlier, the narrator seeks to establish Samuel’s prophetic credentials as part of his strategy to demonstrate the legitimacy of David’s kingship. Through Samuel the Lord renews his self-revelation to Israel. This opening of the lines of communication foreshadows the renewal of national prosperity and security that the Lord will bring about through David.

Here the story displays a four-paneled structure. As is typical in such accounts, there is repetition yet also significant variation, especially in the final panel.[19] In the first two panels (vv. 4–6), the Lord calls to Samuel, who goes to Eli, thinking his master has called him. Eli tells him to go back to sleep. To make sure that the reader does not wrongly conclude that Samuel is spiritually dull, the narrator points out that Samuel has never personally encountered the Lord and is inexperienced in such matters (v. 7). In the third panel Eli realizes that the Lord is calling Samuel and gives him instructions on how to respond if he is summoned again (vv. 8–9). In the fourth panel the Lord approaches and calls Samuel, who responds as instructed (v. 10). The Lord then delivers a prophetic revelation to Samuel (vv. 11–14).

Through its structure and progression the story draws attention to the shift in authority in Samuel’s life. Initially he goes to Eli, but then, as instructed by Eli, he speaks to the Lord, calling himself the Lord’s servant. As Samuel delivers the prophetic message to Eli, one senses that their relationship will never be the same. Now Samuel is the Lord’s spokesman, whose prophetic word has authority even over Eli. By the end of the chapter, “all Israel from Dan to Beersheba” (v. 20) recognizes Samuel, not Eli, as the Lord’s chosen servant through whom he reveals his word to Israel. From this time forward, Samuel, not Eli, will lead Israel. The text makes it clear that Samuel does not represent a minority faction bent on imposing its will on the nation.


Theological Insights
As noted above, this chapter complements the previous one and further develops the theme stated in 2:30: The Lord honors those who honor him but rejects those who despise him. The Lord’s rejection of Eli’s house is reiterated in 3:11–14, but the focus of chapter 3 is on the Lord’s choice of Samuel. The Lord honors loyal Hannah by choosing her son as his prophet, the one through whom he renews his relationship with Israel. Youthful Samuel represents the renewed Israel of the future, whom Samuel will lead to victory (chap. 7). Aging, blind Eli and his sinful sons represent the corrupt Israel of the judges’ period, which will soon experience humiliating defeat (see chap. 4). In the larger canonical context of the Former Prophets, the story challenges the exiles to honor the Lord so that they, as God’s covenant community, may experience a renewed relationship with their King, culminating in the restoration of the nation under the authority of an ideal human king.

Excerpt From: Robert B. Chisholm. “1 & 2 Samuel.” Apple Books.

Study & Reflection Guide
1. Read through the story 1 Samuel 3:1-4:1 and find the main message of the story and what the narrator wants to highlight. (Refer to the Storyline specifically the italicized sentences). Did it give the impression that God will now be communicating with Samuel instead of Eli? What does that tell you about qualification and disqualification regarding our calling in the ministry?

2. Using your bible, can you trace the phrase “Here I am…” responses from Abraham to Jacob to Moses? (Genesis 22:11; 46:2; Exodus 3:4) What's common in these passages? What are the implications to the response, “here I am…” (1 Samuel 3:4, 6, 8) Is it fair to say that followers of Jesus only quote Romans 8:28 for the benefits but not for the purpose of the calling? How can we as followers respond with the same response of Samuel? What keeps us from devoting our lives to God?

3. 1 Samuel 3:7 clearly points that knowing the LORD directly correlates to the word of the LORD. What does it mean for God to speak through his word? Should every believer expect an audible voice from God? What would you say is the primary way God speaks to us based on verse 7? What are the implications of not reading the Scriptures and still asking God to speak to us?

4. Based on 1 Samuel 3:10-14, how will God’s punishment when heard in Israel will tingle their ears? What exactly is Eli’s iniquity? Is his iniquity about neglect, tolerance, leniency, or was he just a forgiving father? Verse 13 says, “he did not restrain…” Using your STEP Bible, what was the original word used? How long do you suppose God expects Eli to rebuke his sons? What form of rebuke, punishment, scolding is enough to make God acquit him from guilt? How do we as parents do the same failure of Eli?

5. If we look at the family of Eli in the context of the church, how should we respond proactively to failures, neglect, blatant disregard, and deliberate sins of our members? How should we as a caring family approach church discipline among unrepentant members so that we do not share in their guilt?

6. How can we develop a habit of, culture of, and lifestyle that is dependent on always thirsting after God’s word? What improvements can we do in our church to keep the study and reading of the Scriptures part of our individual and daily life?