And the word of the Lord was rare in those days … Then the Lord called Samuel … And all Israel … knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. (1 Samuel 3:1,4,20)
In our exposition of chapter 2 of 1 Samuel, we found a volley back and forth between Samuel, the godly seed, and Hophni and Phinehas, the reprobate sons of Eli. This is a pattern we find throughout the book – a struggle between darkness and light, as we wait for the sun to rise upon the kingdom of Israel. Chapter 3 opens with a final volley into the light, as we learn of the call of Samuel; he enters the chapter a boy and exits a prophet. The course of his prophetic call, however, is only achieved after repeated attempts of “seeing without understanding” (3:4-9). The opening narration of the chapter sets the stage for this activity by repeated images of the decreased light – the rarity of God speaking in those days, no frequent vision (v. 1), Eli’s diminution of eyesight, not being able to see (v. 2). Verse 3 leaves us with a glimmer of light, telling us that 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.
Though this was a season in Israel where “the word of the Lord was rare,” God speaks when He chooses to, as He always does. As we saw in chapter 2, where an unnamed “man of God” prophesied to Eli, now, God will call and gift Samuel to prophesy. God knew that Israel needed the light of a prophet amid their darkness; so, in the evening, amidst the light of the menorah in the holy tabernacle, three times God spoke from the blackness of night; and three times Samuel heard a voice while failing to discern its origin. When the Lord called Samuel a fourth time, he was prepared with an answer given to him by Eli the priest: “Speak, for your servant hears” (3:10). God’s call is effectual – His Word is always heard by His sheep (John 10:27-28) and accomplishes His purpose (Isaiah 55:11).
Samuel’s first assignment was a difficult one, as God spoke a prophecy of judgment on Eli, his mentor (3:11-14). Though uneasy to share it immediately, Samuel humbly, carefully, and faithfully proclaims the prophecy to Eli (3:15-18) – one that is fulfilled in chapter 4. Finally, Samuel’s office and gifting are confirmed by the people of God and his ministry would overshadow the wickedness of Hophni and Phinehas (3:19-21). In Samuel, the sun would begin to rise in God’s kingdom.
This story is replete with application for the church in our day, which is steeped in the darkness of apostasy and famine for the Word of the Lord. May God call, gift, and raise up prophets who will faithfully preach Christ, the light of the world, amid a hostile and dark world.