Village Schools of the Bible

A Devotional Study of 1 Samuel 3
by Max Frazier, Jr.

Well, how about some more thoughts from 1 Samuel, from the life of one of
the great leaders in Israel's past. Here are some thoughts from 1 Samuel 3.

I. God's calling of Samuel (vs. 1-10)

II. God reveals His plan to Samuel (vs. 11-14)

III. Samuel reveals to Eli God's plan (vs. 15-18)

IV. Samuel's growing reputation (vs. 19-21)

Verse 7 is a thought provoking one. Although Samuel had spent an inordinate amount of time in the tabernacle and had daily contact with Eli and others of the priestly family and had probably even helped with the sacrifices that were brought into the tabernacle, he still did not know the Lord. He still had not had a personal encounter with the living God. He still did not recognize the voice of God when he was called. Jesus made reference to people like Samuel in His Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 7:21-23). One can go to church all his life and never have had a personal encounter with the living God. Someone has said that going to church does not make anyone a Christian just as sitting in a garage cannot make a person into a car. So, we should not presume that just because a person goes to church that he or she is a Christian. He could be another Samuel just waiting to hear from God, and you might just be God's spokesman.

1Samuel 2 Return to the Table of Contents 1Samuel 4