THE CONTINUED FAITHFULNESS OF SAMUEL (1 SAMUEL 3:1 A). Meanwhile, while all this is going on, Samuel continues on in his faithful service of YHWH without wavering. Samuel stands out like a shining light against the dark background of Eli's priestly family and their behaviour (and is a credit to Eli... [ Continue Reading ]
YHWH APPROACHES SAMUEL (1 SAMUEL 3:2) . 1 Samuel 3:2 ‘ And it came about on that day, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to wax dim, so that he could not see), and the lamp of God was not yet gone out, and Samuel was laid down to sleep, in the temple of YHWH, where the ark... [ Continue Reading ]
SAMUEL WAS NOT AS YET USED TO HEARING THE WORD OF YHWH (1 SAMUEL 3:7) 1 Samuel 3:7 ‘ Now Samuel did not yet know YHWH, nor was the word of YHWH yet revealed to him.' We are now given the reason for Samuel's confusion. Up to this point he did not ‘know YHWH' In other words he had never had person... [ Continue Reading ]
YHWH CALLS TO SAMUEL AGAIN AND THE AGED ELI IS ENLIGHTENED AND RECOGNISES THE T1SA (1 SAMUEL 3:8). 1 Samuel 3:8 ‘ And YHWH called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And Eli perceived that YHWH had called the youth.' Once more YHWH... [ Continue Reading ]
YHWH'S WORD TO SAMUEL CONCERNING THE HOUSE OF ELI (1 SAMUEL 3:11). It is probable that Samuel had no notion of what the man of God had said to Eli. It was not the kind of thing that Eli would have shared with a boy. Thus what YHWH said to him must have come as a complete surprise. 1 Samuel 3:11 ‘... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NEXT MORNING (1 SAMUEL 3:15). 1 Samuel 3:15 ‘ And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of YHWH. And Samuel was afraid to show Eli the vision.' Notice that it does not say ‘slept'. It is doubtful whether he could sleep. As he lay on his mattress his thoughts must ha... [ Continue Reading ]
SAMUEL DEVELOPS AS A PROPHET (1 SAMUEL 3:19) The phrase ‘YHWH was with him' regularly indicates His acting through the one in mind. Note its use of Abraham (Genesis 21:22; Jacob (Genesis 28:15; Joseph (Genesis 29:2; Moses (Exodus 3:12); Joshua (Joshua 1:5); Gideon (Judges 6:16); David (1 Samuel 16:1... [ Continue Reading ]
YHWH AGAIN APPEARS IN SHILOH (1 SAMUEL 3:21 TO 1 SAMUEL 4:1 A). This is a flash forward to the situation which lay beyond chapter 4:1-7:1. During the ‘rule' of Hophni and Phinehas Samuel was very much in the background faithfully performing his duties in the Tabernacle. 1 Samuel 3:21 ‘ And YHWH a... [ Continue Reading ]