GOD CALLS SAMUEL

Eli, the High Priest, had two sons who followed in his footsteps and became priests at the tabernacle. Both of them went by the names Hophni and Phinehas. They disobeyed the regulations that God had established, and they were very cruel to the people.

Hophni and Phinehas would take the nicest cuts of meat from the offerings that the Israelis offered to God so that they might eat it themselves. Eli was aware of the actions that his boys were engaging in, yet he did nothing to stop them. Will God allow this to continue to be place?

Samuel was a great deal younger than Hophni and Phinehas, yet he did not behave in the same manner as them. Samuel earned God’s approval and praise. Samuel was sound asleep when he became aware of someone calling his name in the middle of the night. He jumped to his feet, hurried to Eli, and yelled, “Here I am!” But Eli said: ‘I did not call you. Get some more shut-eye.’ Samuel went back to bed after getting up.

After that, it occurred once more. Eli finally understood that God was calling Samuel when he heard the voice a third time and Samuel responded each time. He instructed Samuel that if he ever heard the voice a second time, he should respond with the phrase “Speak, God.” Your servant is listening.’

Samuel went back to bed after getting up. Suddenly he was startled when he heard, “Samuel! Samuel!” He responded by saying, “Talk, for your servant is listening,” and then he listened. God commanded him, “Tell Eli that I am going to punish him and his family.” (God spoke to him.) He is aware that his sons are acting inappropriately in my tabernacle, yet he takes no action to correct the situation.’

The following morning, Samuel did what he had done before and opened the doors of the tabernacle. It gave him chills to think about telling the high priest what God had revealed. Eli, however, came for him and questioned him, saying, “My son, what did God say to you?” Tell me everything that you know.’ So Samuel spilled the beans to Eli about everything.

God never stopped being there for Samuel, even as he got older. It was common knowledge amongst all of the Jews, from one end of the land to the other, that God had selected Samuel to serve as a prophet and a judge.