1 Samuel 3:10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for your servant hears. I. NIGHT VISIONS. We might suggest several reasons why night was selected as the season of this vision: — 1. It was calm and silent. 2. It would lend impressiveness to the call. It being unusual to hear a voice at midnight, earnest attention would be secured, and reverent awe inspired. 3. It was also consistent, with the event announced. What time more appropriate for the utterance of tidings so terrible as darkness, whose gloom would also be prophetic of the future? 4. To show that God works at the moss unlikely times, independent of external and natural aid.In fact, when we look upon the dead horses and unblown trumpets of Sennacherib's defeat, on the desolation caused in Egypt by the withering breath of the destroying angel, we feel in the presence of this principle that when nature and mortals slumber, God is most active. 1. In what the vision consisted. "And the Lord called" (ver. 4). What a deep impression would this night's transaction make upon Samuel's mind! Hence, by this vision, he was conducted to advanced experiences, of which the two most prominent thoughts would be the woeful destiny of evil, and the judicial majesty of God. These communications were(1) Astounding; (2) of widespread interest (ver. 11); not merely was the lightning to scathe a willow by the stream but an oak near the palace. The doom predicted was(3) Inevitable. Rendered so (a) By Divine oath (ver. 14) (b) By a strict refusal of compromise (ver. 14). 2. To whom entrusted. The Lord called Samuel (ver. 4). Childhood vocal on the lips of God. Devoted childhood honoured by God. Compare. "In those days there was no open vision" (ver. 1). "And the Lord called yet again, Samuel." 3. Honestly mistaken. "And he ran unto Eli" (ver. 5). Have we not in the cheerful obedience of this young servant a pattern for all stations of service? (1) It was prompt; "he ran." (2) It was responsive; "Here am I." (3) It was deferential; "for thou calledst me."Samuel mistook the Divine call for the human; this is the greatest tendency of the present day, to expunge the miraculous, not only from the records of inspiration, but also from the events of general life. Mistaken childhood instructed (ver. 7). It is the duty of old persons, and especially old priests, to instruct the young. 4. Obediently received (ver. 10). "Speak, for thy servant heareth." Samuel omits the word "Lord," which Eli had instructed him to use. His youthful nature had not yet grasped its meaning; the doctrine of the Divine Lordship was too deep a mystery, he stood before it in silence, daring not to vocalize such an attribute of majesty. Every impulse of his heart cried out, "Speak," and Samuel signified himself attentive to the message; "thy servant heareth." II. MORNING DISCLOSURES. Samuel enters upon the duties of the day with a heavier heart than usual, trying as much as possible to avoid contact with Eli, lest he should be questioned respecting the call of the previous night. What contrasts do the Christian life present! He "opened the doors of the house of the Lord" (ver. 15). The revelation of woe had not caused him to forget his duty, or filled him with pride to disdain it. Here we catch a glimpse of the greatness of his young nature, that it could walk amidst this splendour with such unconscious simplicity. The vision was: — 1. Timidly retained (ver. 16, 17). "And Samuel feared to show Eli the vision." Probably he had received no command from God to disclose it, and feared lest he should intrude upon the threshold of the Divine prerogative. Perhaps he discreetly considered that the tidings would be too astounding, that Eli's feeble energies, like the drooping plant, would succumb to the fury of the storm; feeling also a respect for and a sympathy with the unfortunate Priest, knowing that God had irrevocably signed his death warrant, Samuel did not wish to embitter the final hours by heedless, useless sorrow. However Eli suspects that the call of the night had reference to himself, and importunately asks for its message: 2. Faithfully disclosed (ver. 18). "Samuel told him every whit." Faithful to God, and respectful to Eli, he unfolds the solemn secret of the future, in language not softened by omission or nullified by misrepresentation. 3. Reverently acknowledged (ver. 18). "And he said, It is the Lord."LESSONS: 1. Childhood taken to the tabernacle as likely to be called by God. 2. The tabernacle is the place for the instruction of youth. 3. The punishment of parental indulgence is both certain and fearful. 4. The secrets of Divine Providence are ever entrusted to faithful souls. 5. Moral rectitude honoured by God and respected by man (ver. 19-21). (Joseph S. Exell, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. |
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