Speak, For Your Servant Hears

I am flying back from a quick trip to Chicago. If you’ve flown before, you know that on each flight the flight attendants demonstrate how to buckle your seat belt and what to do in case of an emergency. I could probably recite the instructions from memory, so I usually have my earbuds in and am watching a TV show or movie on my iPad long before the demonstration begins. I vaguely hear the flight attendants voice. My focus is on other things. As I read 1 Samuel 3, I thought how this is often true as I approach God’s Word.

There is much we could study in 1 Samuel 3 (I encourage you to read the whole chapter), but I want to give you just a small bit to consider.

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 Lord was 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.”[1]

1 Samuel 3:8-10

Samuel ministered in the tabernacle with Eli, the high priest whose eyesight was beginning to fail. We know that Samuel did not yet know the Lord personally (vs 7) although his parents knew God, and Samuel would have had exposure to the things of God as he served in the tabernacle.

One night Samuel laid down to sleep. He heard a voice call his name. Thinking it was Eli, Samuel immediately ran to him. “Here I am!” But it was not Eli calling his name, it was God. The third time this happened, Eli realized that God was calling Samuel and instructed Samuel what to do.

Although there is a backstory with Eli, here he responded wisely. Let’s break his instruction into four facets to help in how we respond to God and His Word.

1. “Go, lie down” – Since God had previously called Samuel while he was lying down in the tabernacle. Eli told Samuel to make himself available to God by being in the place where God had already spoken to him.

We are blessed to have God’s Word available in physical Bibles, digital Bibles, and the preaching of God’s Word. But just because we have access to reading or hearing God’s Word does not mean that we make ourselves available to read and hear it. We find time in our days for a myriad of other activities, but is reading God’s Word one of them? Is it a priority? Are we passionate about God’s Word? Is it just one item on today’s checklist? Is corporate worship a priority?

We also, because of Jesus’ death in our place and resurrection, can come boldly before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). We can come directly to God in prayer. Jesus is the only mediator we need. But again, do we make the time to do this? Is it a priority to spend time with God?

2. “if he calls you” – In David Guzik’s commentary, he highlighted the if. Eli didn’t want Samuel to presume that God would speak to him again. As I think about this, it makes me thankful that God does want to spend time with us. God is available to us at all times. His Word is there waiting for us to read. The Holy Spirit gives us understanding as we read. These are undeserved blessings for which to be grateful.

3. “you shall say, ‘Speak Lord” – Samuel responded to God’s call. He wanted to hear what God had to tell him. Likewise, are we ready to listen to God’s Word and respond? Are we willing to apply God’s Word and obey it?

4. “for your servant hears” – Samuel was humble before God. Are we humble? Are we teachable? Do we recognize that any understanding, wisdom, or knowledge we have is because God graciously gives it to us? Do we acknowledge our complete dependence on Him?

We already noted that Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him (vs 7), but immediately following that disclosure, Samuel personally encountered God and heard the word of the Lord. Chapter 3 ends with this statement: “And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground” (vs 19). God went on to use Samuel as a mighty prophet until the day he died, and it all began with God’s word to Samuel, and Samuel’s availability, lack of presumption, willing response, and humbleness.

Reflection

1. Answer the questions from the above four points.

2. In Eli’s instruction to Samuel, we learn the example of the more mature in faith encouraging and teaching the younger in faith. Who is someone younger in the faith that you are encouraging and teaching? If you aren’t, who can you begin to mentor? Who is someone more mature in the faith that you can seek out for mentoring? Who is someone that has encouraged and mentored you? Give a specific example of how they did this. Call, text, email, or send snail-mail thanking them for their godly encouragement and instruction.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Sa 3:8–10.