Bible Verse Synopsis 5-18-25

1st Samuel 3:

This chapter is about Samuel fulfilling the vow of Hannah. When Eli and Samuel were to lie down for the evening and clothed their eyes, the Lamp of God went out in the Temple where the Ark of God was. Verse 3 - “And ere the Lamp of God went out in the Temple of the Lord…” This is neglect by no other sense of the word. The lamp of God should always be burning! 🔥 This could have been a terrible thing to have happen, but we learn that God had bigger plans and worked this event into His plan. Maybe there is something that didn’t work out for you in your plan but God’s plan included that trouble. Have you ever felt that?

Samuel lay down and closed his eyes. “That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here I am.” - Verse 4. Samuel went to Eli. Eli sent Samuel back to sleep for he did not call him. And the Lord called onto Samuel again. Samuel again went to Eli, who again sent him back to bed because he had not called him. Verse 7 - “ Now Samuel did not known the Lord, neither was the Word of the Lord revealed unto him yet.” Samuel did not know about the Lord speaking to men and that is why he went to Eli. In Verse 8, the Lord calls Samuel again. For the 3rd time, Samuel goes to Eli. However, Eli perceived the Lord had called the child. Eli instructed Samuel to lie down and if He is called again to respond with “Speak, Lord; for Your servant hears.” - Verse 9. Eli knows exactly what the ways of the Lord are by his knowledge here. Yet he fails to live them! Often we can fall into the trap of Eli and the corruption that surrounds us daily. In contrast we can be like Samuel and seek our leaders for guidance. Our ultimate leader is God. If we seek His guidance, maybe one day He will talk to us too.

Has God ever spoken to you?

The Lord calls Samuel in Verse 10 and Samuel

Answers as instructed. The Lord tells Samuel “.. I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one who hears it shall tingle.” - Verse 11. The Lord is speaking of His promise to Eli through the unnamed man in the last chapter. The Lord will effectively end Eli’s line. “When I begin, I will also make an end.” - Verse 12. As we know, Eli’s role as father to his sons and his lack of action toward their bad behavior has determined his fate and the fate of his sons. Repentance would be the first step to fixing this, yet Eli does not have it in his heart to do this. He seals his own fate. A lack of repentance seals our fate in the same manner. Our sins are washed away if we give our hearts to the Lord. But without this we are just like Eli. Have you proclaimed Jesus as Lord and Savior and repented of your sins or will you end up like Eli?

Samuel reveals what the Lord said to Eli upon Eli’s request. Eli knew Samuel has spoken to God. We get a true look into Eli in Verse 17. “And he said, What is the thing that the Lord has said unto you? I pray you hide it not from me: God do so to you, and more also; if you hide any things from me of all the things that He said unto you.” Eli wants to punish Samuel if Samuel doesn’t tell him everything he saw. This is not the intent of God and God would not punish Samuel in this way. Eli is using this as a ploy to make sure he finds out what Samuel is told. This is manipulation of the Word. I sense that Samuel knows this by how he ends hid recount to Eli. “It is the LORD: let Him do what seems Him good.” - Verse 18. He covers himself somewhat by restating that this is from God while throwing a subtle dig at Eli or maybe he is recognizing what is truly happening with Eli and his family. We should learn not to twist the Word or God’s name in our favor. God has a straight and narrow path. Any deviation from that path is sin. God, help us all stay on the straight and narrow route. Do you need to turn the wheel?

The Lord reveals Himself multiple times to Samuel and walks with him. Samuel spoke with the Lord’s voice. Verse 19 - “ And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with Him, and did not let any of his words fall to the ground.” Samuel spoke more prophetic things. All of Israel came to know Samuel in this manner and came to understand that he was a prophet of the Lord. The vow of Hannah has been fulfilled. Samuel is now a man of God. Be vary of vowing or swearing in any manner. It may be a trap. 🪤 Are you strong enough to avoid that on your own? I know I am not.