INTRODUCTION: After the record of the miraculous birth of Samuel in chapter one and the praiseful prayer of Hannah in chapter two (1 Samuel 2:1-10 [1] And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. [2] There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. [3] Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. [4] The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. [5] They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. [6] The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. [7] The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. [8] He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them. [9] He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. [10] The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
See All...), we are introduced to the spiritual famine of this time – which is still the time of the judges. Eli’s sons make a mockery of the priesthood and the sacrifices by their wickedness. Yet, Eli will do nothing more than scold them. God sends a man of God to tell Eli that his house (or family line of priests) has been rejected by the Lord (1 Samuel 2:27-36 [27] And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house? [28] And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel? [29] Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? [30] Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. [31] Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house. [32] And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever. [33] And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age. [34] And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them. [35] And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever. [36] And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.
See All...). Thus, the scene is set for the call of Samuel. God has found a man through whom He can again work.

1. GOD’S CALL TO SAMUEL (1 Samuel 3:1-10 [1] And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. [2] And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; [3] And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; [4] That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. [5] And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. [6] And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. [7] Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. [8] And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. [9] Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. [10] 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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1. The Time of God’s Call (1 Samuel 3:1-3 [1] And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. [2] And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; [3] And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
   See All...)
1. When Samuel ministered to the Lord (1 Samuel 3:1And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 2:11And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.
   See All..., 18)
1. The work of the priests and Levites (Leviticus 7:35This is the portion of the anointing of Aaron, and of the anointing of his sons, out of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, in the day when he presented them to minister unto the LORD in the priest's office;
   See All...; Deuteronomy 21:5And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried:
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 15:2Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 23:13The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name for ever.
   See All...; 2 Chronicles 13:10But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business:
   See All...; 2 Chronicles 29:11My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense.
   See All...; Ezekiel 40:46And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him.
   See All...; Ezekiel 43:19And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord GOD, a young bullock for a sin offering.
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2. The work of New Testament saints (Acts 13:2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
   See All...; cp. Acts 6:4But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
   See All...)
2. When God’s Word was precious (1 Samuel 3:1And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
   See All...; Psalm 74:9We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.
   See All...; Amos 8:11Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
   See All...)
3. NOTE: “no open vision” (1 Samuel 3:1And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
   See All...). This was a time of no direct revelation from God. The word vision refers to a word or revelation from God. This is the real meaning of the word in Proverbs 29:18Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
   See All... – “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” If there is no word from God, the people will perish.
4. When the eyes of Eli were dim (1 Samuel 3:2And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
   See All...; 1 Samuel 4:15Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.
   See All...); a picture of Eli’s lack of spiritual perception
5. Before the lamp of God went out (1 Samuel 3:3And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
   See All...)
6. NOTE: The lamp was “to burn always” (Exodus 27:20And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.
   See All...). However, it still had to be trimmed and lighted each morning and evening (Exodus 30:7-8 [7] And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. [8] And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.
   See All...), which means each lamp did not continuously burn without any interruption. It is obvious that in Eli’s day the lamp was allowed to burn out in the evening (1 Samuel 3:3And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
   See All...). Perhaps this is symbolic of the apostasy of the age.
2. The Patience of God’s Call (1 Samuel 3:4-8 [4] That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. [5] And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. [6] And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. [7] Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. [8] And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
   See All...)
1. The first call (1 Samuel 3:4-5 [4] That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. [5] And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
   See All...; cp. 1 Kings 19:12-13 [12] And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. [13] And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
   See All...)
2. The second call (1 Samuel 3:6-7 [6] And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. [7] Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
   See All...); NOTE: Samuel worshipped God, ministered to Him and received His favor (1 Samuel 1:28Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 2:11And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.
   See All..., 18, 26; 1 Samuel 3:1And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
   See All...). But he did not know Him in a personal sense (1 Samuel 3:7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
   See All...) and he did not know what it was to receive the Word of God by revelation (see 1 Samuel 3:1And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
   See All...; Numbers 12:6And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
   See All...; Amos 3:7Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
   See All...).
3. The third call (1 Samuel 3:8And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
   See All...); Eli finally perceives that it is of the Lord. His slow understanding is characteristic of the spiritual dearth of the day.
3. The Acceptance of God’s Call (1 Samuel 3:9-10 [9] Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. [10] And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
   See All...)
1. Eli’s instructions (1 Samuel 3:9Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
   See All...)
2. Samuel’s obedience (1 Samuel 3:10And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
   See All...; cp. Acts 9:6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
   See All..., 8)
2. GOD’S MESSAGE TO SAMUEL (1 Samuel 3:11-14 [11] And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. [12] In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. [13] For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. [14] And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
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1. A Fearful Message (1 Samuel 3:11And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
   See All...; Habakkuk 1:5Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe, though it be told you.
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1. The Lord is going to do a work in Israel.
2. The work will cause the ears of every one that heareth to tingle.
2. A Certain Message (1 Samuel 3:12In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
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1. The judgment is against Eli and his house.
2. The Lord will finish what He starts.
3. A Message of Judgment (1 Samuel 3:13For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 2:29Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
   See All...; Matthew 10:37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
   See All...)
1. Eli’s house to be judged forever
2. The cause of the judgment
1. His sons made themselves vile (1 Samuel 2:12-17 [12] Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD. [13] And the priest's custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand; [14] And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither. [15] Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw. [16] And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force. [17] Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
   See All..., 22).
2. Eli restrained them not (1 Samuel 2:23-25 [23] And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. [24] Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD's people to transgress. [25] If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.
   See All..., 27-29).
3. NOTE: The judgment was not because of the wickedness of Eli’s sons. It came because Eli would not restrain them. In this, he honored his sons above the Lord (1 Samuel 2:29Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
   See All...). They were under his charge and he could have stopped them. Therefore, he was responsible. We should take this as a warning to us as parents, pastors and others in leadership responsibility (Proverbs 29:15The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
   See All...; 1 Timothy 3:4-5 [4] One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; [5] (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
   See All...).
4. An Eternal Message (1 Samuel 3:14And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
   See All...); consider how this judgment plays out in Eli and his descendents.
1. First generation – Eli (1 Samuel 4:18And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.
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2. Second generation – Hopni and Phinehas (1 Samuel 4:10-18 [10] And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. [11] And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain. [12] And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head. [13] And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out. [14] And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli. [15] Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see. [16] And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son? [17] And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. [18] And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.
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3. Third generation – Ichabod (1 Samuel 4:19-22 [19] And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her. [20] And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it. [21] And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband. [22] And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.
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4. Fourth generation – Ahimelech, son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub (1 Samuel 14:3And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 22:9-19 [9] Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. [10] And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine. [11] Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king. [12] And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord. [13] And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? [14] Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house? [15] Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more. [16] And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house. [17] And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD: because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD. [18] And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. [19] And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
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5. Fifth generation – Abiathar (1 Samuel 22:20-23 [20] And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David. [21] And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD's priests. [22] And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house. [23] Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.
   See All...; 2 Samuel 20:25And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
   See All...)
6. Replacement of the line of Eli (1 Kings 1:5-7 [5] Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. [6] And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom. [7] And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.
   See All...; 1 Kings 2:26-27 [26] And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the LORD God before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted. [27] So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the LORD; that he might fulfil the word of the LORD, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.
   See All..., 35)
3. SAMUEL’S REPORT TO ELI (1 Samuel 3:15-18 [15] And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. [16] Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. [17] And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. [18] And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.
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1. Samuel’s Response (1 Samuel 3:15And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
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1. His faithfulness; he opened the doors of the house of God (Psalm 84:10For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
   See All...; Malachi 1:10Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
   See All...).
2. His fear (Jeremiah 1:6-8 [6] Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. [7] But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. [8] Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
   See All...; Daniel 4:19Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
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2. Eli’s Demand (1 Samuel 3:16-17 [16] Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. [17] And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
   See All...)
1. Eli calls for Samuel (1 Samuel 3:16Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
   See All...).
2. Eli asks Samuel of the Lord’s message (1 Samuel 3:17And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
   See All...).
3. Samuel’s Obedience (1 Samuel 3:18And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.
   See All...a) – He “told him every whit, and hid nothing from him.”
4. Eli’s Acceptance (1 Samuel 3:18And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.
   See All...b; cp. Isaiah 39:3-8 [3] Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon. [4] Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. [5] Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts: [6] Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. [7] And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. [8] Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.
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1. Eli acknowledges that it is of the Lord.
2. Eli submits to the will of the Lord.
4. GOD’S BLESSING UPON SAMUEL (1 Samuel 3:19-21 [19] And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. [20] And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. [21] And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
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1. His Development (1 Samuel 3:19And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
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1. His growth (cp. 1 Samuel 2:21And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
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1. Samson (Judges 13:24And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.
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2. Jesus (Luke 2:40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
   See All..., 52)
2. God’s presence
1. Joseph (Genesis 39:2And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
   See All..., 21-23)
2. David (1 Samuel 18:14And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.
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3. His words (cp. 1 Samuel 3:21And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
   See All...; Isaiah 44:26That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:
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2. His Reputation (1 Samuel 3:20And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.
   See All...; Ecclesiastes 7:1A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
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3. His Relationship (1 Samuel 3:21And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
   See All...; Jeremiah 9:23-24 [23] Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: [24] But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
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1. The Lord appeared to Samuel.
2. The Lord revealed Himself to Samuel.
3. The Lord spoke His word to Samuel.

CONCLUSION: Samuel sought the Lord and was found of Him. Samuel begins this chapter ministering to the Lord (1 Samuel 3:1And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
See All...) but not knowing Him (1 Samuel 3:7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
See All...). But, by the end of the chapter, God “revealed himself to Samuel” (1 Samuel 3:21And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
See All...). We also need to seek to know the Lord.