Great Stories of the Bible - Part 19: The Birth and Call of Samuel 1 Samuel 3:10

GREAT STORIES OF THE BIBLE

Part 19: The Birth and Call of Samuel

1 Samuel 3:10

“Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for Your servant is listening.’”

The Story Begins: A Cry from the Heart (1 Samuel 1)

Elkanah had two wives. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. Each year, Elkanah brought his family to Shiloh, where the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant resided, to worship and offer sacrifices to the LORD. Serving there as priests were Eli and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas.

Hannah’s barrenness became a source of deep pain, made worse by the cruelty of her rival. Though Elkanah loved Hannah deeply and gave her a double portion of the sacrificial meal, her sorrow was so heavy that she could not eat.

In bitterness of soul, Hannah poured out her heart before the LORD. Through tears and silent prayer, she vowed that if God would give her a son, she would dedicate him fully to the LORD as a Nazirite—never cutting his hair. The dedication of children to God is a sacred and meaningful act.

As she prayed, Eli the priest mistook her silent weeping for drunkenness and rebuked her. Hannah humbly explained her anguish, and Eli blessed her, asking God to grant her request. Hannah left with peace in her heart, no longer burdened by sorrow. When we leave our burdens with the Lord, He replaces despair with hope.

In time, Hannah gave birth to a son and named him Samuel, meaning “heard of God.” True to her vow, she waited until Samuel was weaned and then brought him to Shiloh, presenting him to Eli along with sacrifices, fulfilling her promise to the LORD. Vows made to God matter—and so does keeping them.

Worship and Warning (1 Samuel 2)

Hannah responded to God’s faithfulness with one of Scripture’s great prayers of praise (1 Samuel 2:2–10), exalting the LORD as holy, sovereign, and just—the One who humbles the proud and lifts up the lowly.

Samuel remained at the Tabernacle under Eli’s care while his parents returned home. Each year, Hannah visited and brought Samuel a handmade priestly garment, a quiet testimony of a mother’s love and faithfulness. God blessed Hannah with additional children—three sons and two daughters.

But tragedy was unfolding alongside this blessing. Eli’s sons were corrupt. Instead of honoring God, they treated the offerings with contempt, demanding the best portions for themselves even before sacrifices were completed. Their wickedness extended further—they committed immoral acts with women serving at the Tabernacle.

Though Eli confronted his sons, he failed to restrain them. A man of God delivered a sobering message: Eli had honored his sons above the LORD. Judgment would fall on his house. His lineage would lose the priesthood, he would suffer blindness, and his sons would die on the same day. Yet God also promised to raise up a faithful priest who would serve Him wholeheartedly.

Meanwhile, Samuel grew “in favor with the LORD and with men.”

The Call of God (1 Samuel 3)

In those days, the word of the LORD was rare; visions were uncommon—likely due to widespread disobedience. One night, as Samuel slept near the Ark of the Covenant, the LORD called out, “Samuel!”

Thinking it was Eli, Samuel ran to him. This happened three times until Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. He instructed Samuel to respond, “Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.”

The next time, the LORD came and stood nearby, calling Samuel by name. Samuel answered in obedience. God revealed that He would bring to fulfillment His judgment against Eli’s house—news so grave that it would make the ears of those who heard it tingle.

The next morning, Samuel faithfully relayed the entire message to Eli. From that day forward, the LORD was with Samuel, and none of his words fell to the ground. From Dan to Beersheba, all Israel recognized Samuel as a prophet of the LORD. He would later be named among the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11.

A Striking Contrast

The story of Samuel’s call is built on contrasts—contrasts that still speak powerfully today.

A Contrast in Parenting

Eli was warned that he honored his sons above God. When children become the center of the family instead of the LORD, both faith and character suffer. Elkanah and Hannah, by contrast, were devoted worshipers whose faith shaped their home. Their dedication of Samuel was not symbolic—it was lived out in obedience.

A Contrast in Focus

Eli’s sons focused on themselves, seizing what pleased them. Samuel’s focus was revealed in one simple sentence: “Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.”

A Contrast in Calling

Hophni and Phinehas were placed into ministry by their father. Samuel was called into ministry by God Himself.

Obedience always leads to blessing, as seen in Hannah’s faith and faithfulness. Disobedience always leads to loss, as seen in the tragic end of Eli’s sons.

So the story asks each of us a question: Where are you today?

Will you listen for God’s voice?

Will you respond in obedience?

Come, obey the LORD—and receive His blessing.

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