God Calls Samuel

God Calls Samuel

Q: How many times after calling did God have to wait for Samuel to answer?

• a. Three. Samuel answered the fourth time.
• b. None. Samuel answered the first time.
• c. One. Samuel answered the second time.

Once Samuel was old enough to be away from his mom, Hannah took her son to the Tabernacle to serve God, just as she’d promised (see yesterday’s devotion). Samuel served under Eli. Eli’s sons served in the Tabernacle, too, but they were wicked. They didn’t follow the rules for sacrifices, and they cheated the people who came to offer sacrifices. The sons knew what was right, but they chose not to do it. Eli did not punish them for their wickedness.

One night Samuel was lying on his bed when he heard a voice call his name. He thought it was Eli, so he went to him. Eli said he hadn’t called, and he sent Samuel back to bed. This happened three times. On the third time, Eli realized it must be God calling Samuel. He told Samuel to say, “Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.”

God called Samuel’s name again, and Samuel said what Eli had told him to say. God had a message for Samuel. God said since Eli had not disciplined his sons, he would judge them for their wickedness. Their sins were so awful they could not be forgiven by offering sacrifices.

The next day Samuel was reluctant to face Eli. He didn’t want to tell him what God had said. But Eli insisted on knowing. Samuel gave him the Lord’s message. Samuel was righteous and obeyed God, and the Lord spoke to him many more times while Samuel served in the Tabernacle.

For You

Eli’s sons couldn’t be used for the Lord’s work because of their wickedness, but Samuel became an important judge and priest. The difference was that Samuel did everything God told him to do. You may not always want to do the right thing, but it’s what God asks of you. When you do that, he can use you as he used Samuel.

Answer: a

The LORD called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” Then Eli realized it was the LORD who was calling the boy.   1 Samuel 3:8

(The Whole Story: 1 Samuel 2:12-17; 3)