Returning Back to God
Read 1 Samuel 3:1-21
"Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord before Eli. And word from the Lord was rare in those days; visions were infrequent." — 1 Samuel 3:1
1. Introduction
The chapter begins with a spiritual drought—"the word of the Lord was rare, and visions were infrequent." But by the end, there is a remarkable shift:
"The Lord appeared again at Shiloh, because the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord."— 1 Samuel 3:21
What caused this shift in the spiritual atmosphere? Let's explore the key transitions that led to God speaking again.
2. From Barrenness to Blessedness
It started with Hannah, a woman deeply shamed for her barrenness. In her anguish, she prayed and made a vow to God. He not only heard her but took her at her word. She conceived, gave birth, weaned her child, and, keeping her promise, dedicated Samuel to the Lord.
Key Lesson: God hears and responds to the prayers of the faithful. What are we holding back from God? Like Hannah, let’s dedicate our blessings back to Him in faith.
3. From Corruption to Consecration
While Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, defiled God’s temple through their evil acts, young Samuel remained faithful, serving in the Lord’s presence.
"Thus Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fail." — 1 Samuel 3:19
Key Lesson: God chooses and uses those who are faithful to Him. Are we positioning ourselves to hear from God by living in obedience?
4. From a Legacy of Blessing to a Legacy of Judgment
God’s judgment fell upon Eli’s house because he failed to rebuke his sons for their sin.
"For I have told him that I am about to judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them." — 1 Samuel 3:13
Sin is not something to be ignored or dismissed. As fathers, leaders, and mentors, we bear responsibility for guiding the next generation. The lack of discipline led to the downfall of Eli’s family.
Key Lesson: Disciplining our children is an act of love. Are we addressing sin within our homes and communities, or are we passively allowing it to grow?
5. Family Reflection
God’s Word is our ultimate guide in raising the next generation:
For Fathers:
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness." — 2 Timothy 3:16
Be equipped with God’s Word and lead with godly wisdom.
Discipline with love, not harshness, guiding your family with integrity.
Model faithfulness, so your children see God's presence in your life.
For Children:
"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?" — Hebrews 12:7-8
Recognize that discipline is an expression of love.
Be willing to forgive—fathers may not always get it right, but they are trying their best!
Seek to walk in obedience, not just to earthly parents but ultimately to God.
Final Thought
Are we like Eli’s sons, disregarding God's ways, or like Samuel, listening and responding to God's call? May we be a people anchored in Christ, devoted to hearing and obeying His voice.
1 Samuel 3:1-21
3 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.
2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.
6 And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lordwas calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” 11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God,[a] and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”
15 Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16 But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” 17 And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.”
19 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. 21 And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.