1 Samuel Chapter 3 & 4 Chronological Bible Study of David Post 3

Chapter 3 starts with the Lord calling Samuel.  Samuel was brought to the Tabernacle as a child by his mother Hannah.  Remember in Chapter 2, we learned that the High Priest Eli, and his two son's Hophni and Phinehas; did not fear the Lord as their positions within the Tabernacle should have been.  Their total disregard for the Lord is shown by the Spiritual Leadership of Israel at this time.  The High Priest position within the nation of Israel was to be a moral model for the country.

The word of the Lord under Eli and his son's was rare with no frequent visions.  Eli was old and his eyesight had begun to grow dim so he could not see.  His spiritual eyesight was also dim due to his doing his work according to his own understanding, instead of God's. 

This is why the Lord came to Samuel, in the predawn hours when the lamps were low, but still burning.  The Lord called Samuel, and he said, "Here I am!"  Samuel runs to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me.  But he (Eli) said "I did not call, my son; lie down again."  This happens 3 times before Eli, the High Priest understands that is God calling. (1 Samuel 3: 4 - 8)  This is very interesting; why was God calling Samuel and not Eli, the High Priest?  Why did it take Eli, 3 times before he understood it was God that was calling.  This shows how far Eli had fallen from his rightful place before the Lord.  Eli suspects it is the Lord calling and instructs Samuel to lie down again, and if the Lord calls you, you shall say, 'Speak Lord, for your servant hears.'"  So Samuel went and lay down in his place. (1 Samuel 3: 9).

There is a lot of information in these first several verses  of 1 Samuel Chapter 3.  It should be noted that Samuel was a boy, and did not yet know the Lord. (verse 7).  Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle where the Ark of the Covenant was kept.  Be very careful to understand that Samuel was sleeping inside the Tent of Meeting, not necessarily in the same room as the Ark.  Since verse 7 says Samuel did not yet know the Lord, he could not have been in side the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of God was kept.  The Lord comes to Samuel again, but this time God not only speaks but provides Samuel with a vision,  God continues with the statements "Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.  On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end."  1 Samuel 3: 11 & 12