Samuel is given spiritually and physically to the Lord.

1 Samuel 2:11 "... And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest."

Samuel, according to His age, rendered such practical help as would be required in assisting the high priest. God was shaping and developing him to succeed Eli whether Eli knew it or not.

Or to train others to minister to the Lord.

2 Timothy 1:5 "when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also."

Eli's sons, because of their wickedness, would not be the chosen of God to follow on after their father. They were "corrupt; they did not know the Lord." (1 Samuel 2:12 NKJV). They had not entered into fellowship with the Lord, nor acknowledged His claims on their lives. (1 Samuel 2:12-17 ).

1 Samuel 2:17 "Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD."

"The sons of Eli were guilty of taking more of the sacrifice than their allotted portion (Leviticus 7:34 ), of taking the meat before the fat had been burned as a sacrifice to God (Leviticus 3:3, 5 ), and of generally despising the offering of the Lord. (1 Samuel 2:17 )." Ryrie

New Testament ministry must not be motivated by lust for power or greed for possessions.

1 Peter 5:2,3 "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;³ nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;"

Eli knew about his sons' evil but did not stop them - he let them bring discredit upon him, disdain upon the worship and debasement to the people, and to themselves damnation. To be the easy-going father and not confront serious problems is sin, and can bring painful consequences.

Evidenced by the increased size of clothing brought annually by his loving mother. But his was growth in spirit, soul and body (1 Samuel 2:18-21 ). Note how blessed Hannah was with sons and daughters (1 Samuel 2:21 ).

1 Samuel 2:21 "And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD."

In terrible contrast Eli's sons grew in wickedness (1 Samuel 2:22-23 ).

1 Samuel 2:23 "... for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people."

Aged, feeble Eli remonstrates too late (1 Samuel 2:22-25 ).

1 Samuel 2:25 "... But if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?" Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the Lord desired to kill them."

Too late - such was the hardness of their rebellious hearts. Like Pharaoh, nothing could now avert the punishment of sons who would not heed.

The prophet announced:

1 Samuel 2:34 "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."

	God Is Just
	Leaders cannot get away with displeasing God, or failing in allowing sin - they are accountable and will be judged.
	God Is Faithful
	God disciplines leaders but never leaves His people leaderless.

1 Samuel 2:35 "And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: ..."

It would, of course, refer to Samuel's succession to Eli himself - but also to Zadok who was anointed high priest in place of Abiathar, the last descendant of Eli's line. (See 1 Kings 2:26-27 ). God wants faithful people to fulfil his work faithfully.

1 Samuel 3:1 "And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD ..."

The call came to a child of about 12 years (according to Josephus). Of Jesus in the Temple at 12 years it is said,

Luke 2:47 And "all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers."

The Scripture that fits this scene of revelation to a boy is,

Proverbs 8:17 "love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me."

1 Samuel 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."

So the few occurrences were prized possessions.

"There was no widespread revelation, literally, no vision spread out, i.e, visions were infrequent. Apostasy and prophetic inactivity characterised the days of Eli." Ryrie

1 Samuel 3:3 "and before the lamp of God went out ..."

There was servicing of the lamps night and morning (Leviticus 24:2 ), so Samuel's call came early morning. God took action in calling young Samuel before the prophetic lamp went out. Calling comes at God's decision and in His timing, even to a boy.

1 Samuel 3:4 "That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I."

Three times the boy heard God's voice call him. The call was insistent. It is never vague. Eli's help brought understanding and teaching as to how to hear and respond (1 Samuel 3:4-10 ). When God calls there must be:

	The awakened ear (Isaiah 50:4 ).
	The responsive will (Matthew 11:15 ).
	The obedient heart (Acts 26:19 ).

1 Samuel 3:18 "Then Samuel told him everything, and hid nothing from him. ..."

"Samuel's first test as a prophet was to bring an ear-tingling message of doom to Eli. He passed the test." (1 Samuel 3:11-14 ). Ryrie

1 Samuel 3:19 "And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground."

He developed as prophet by conscious fellowship. "The LORD was with him." By receiving the Lord's word - by none of the words of Samuel proving unreliable. The entire land felt the impact of his gift, and recognized his ministry from God (1 Samuel 3:20; Deuteronomy 18:22 ). When it is the word of the Lord, the Lord brings that word to fulfilment. After absence the Lord appears again in the prophetic word.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. While it is easy to recognise Eli as a weak parent, do you believe each person is responsible for his or her own choices? (1 Samuel 2:12-25 )
2. How were Hannah and Elkanah rewarded by the Lord? (1 Samuel 2:18-21 )
3. Do you think leaders willfully sinning will go unjudged? (1 Samuel 2:24 )
4. When God disciplines leaders does He ever leave His people leaderless? (1 Samuel 2:25 )
5. What suggestion could you give your children as to how they could minister before the Lord? (1 Samuel 3:1 )
6. How would you teach your children to listen to the voice of the Lord? (1 Samuel 3:2-10 )
7. What do you learn about the boy Samuel's character from the kind of message he received and delivered? (1 Samuel 3:12-18 )
8. As the boy Samuel grew to be God's prophet, what made the entire people recognise his gift? (1 Samuel 3:19-21 )
9. Do you think the Israelites sent for the ark in an attempt to manipulate God? (1 Samuel 3:3 ). Are there ways in which the same is done today?