1 Samuel 3:4-10 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.… I. THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF SAMUEL'S CALL. 1. When the state of the Church was in a very low ebb: The word of prophecy was very precious at that time (ver. 1), a prophet was very rare then, and few or none appeared with open vision by name, though mention be made in general of a prophet (Judges 6:8). And of a man of God before (1 Samuel 2:27). 2. At that time (ver. 2) when the Lord had sent the day before that Man of God mentioned (1 Samuel 2:27), with heavy tidings to Eli, then the very next day God calls and sends Samuel with the same sad message. 3. In that time of the natural day (ver. 3), when the lamps of the golden candlestick were not yet extinguished, which had been lighted the evening before (Exodus 27:21; Leviticus 24:8, 2 Chronicles 13:11). So that this was betimes in the morning, and before day that God called Samuel. The place where, in the temple or tabernacle. II. THE SUBSTANCE OF THIS WORD OF PROPHECY REVEALED TO SAMUEL. III. THE GRACIOUS CARRIAGE OF THIS YOUNG PROPHET, when so high and honourable a preferment is put upon him by the Lord. 1. His humility. 2. His modesty, His modesty most appeared, both in his doing the former office of a doorkeeper (opening the doors in the morning), though he were now called of God to be a prophet. And likewise he was not forward, but fearful to reveal the Divine oracle to Eli, which yet he might not conceal (ver. 15). 3. His faithfulness also here is manifest in not hiding anything (of that which God had spoke to him) from his master Eli: He told him every whirl (ver. 18). Though there was not one drachm of comfort in the whole oracle. IV. ELI'S RECEPTION OF THIS RIGID REVELATION FROM GOD BY SAMUEL. Eli was conscious to himself of great guilt, both in his villainous sons, and in himself for indulging their villany, his conscience was a sore conscience, but theirs were seared consciences, and therefore could he presage no good from God; hereupon he advises his pupil to hide nothing from him, but to tell his tutor all that God had told him (1 Samuel 1:16, 17). When Eli had heard God's severe sentence he calmly crieth, "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good" (ver. 18), as if he had said the Lord Jehovah hath a sovereign absolute power over all the sons and daughters of men, and may dispose of me and mine, and of all created beings according to his good pleasure, unto which I freely submit, well knowing there be better things in God's will than in my own. (C. Ness.) Parallel Verses KJV: That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. |
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