1 Samuel 3:1-7
The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
Reflection
Samuel’s mother dedicated her son to the Lord’s service and left him in the care of the priest of Shiloh, Eli. Samuel was likely 3-4 years old when placed in Eli’s care. Today’s scripture occurs when Samuel is probably 12-13 years old. So, Samuel is someone who has been active in his faith, working at the temple for many years, and “did not yet know the Lord.” Samuel was following God, but not in a specific, personal way because he did not yet know how to hear or discern what God wanted him to do.
Similar to Samuel’s initial response to the Lord’s call, have you ever had one of those “What was that” or “Where did that come from” moments?
How do you hear or discern God’s call in your life
