1 Samuel 3:19-21 Meaning: The Call of Samuel
The Context
In 1 Samuel 3, we read the story of Samuel, a young boy who was dedicated to the Lord by his mother, Hannah. Samuel was serving under the priest Eli, but the Bible says that the word of the Lord was rare in those days, and there was no widespread revelation. It was a time of spiritual darkness in Israel.
The Call of Samuel
In verses 19-21, we see Samuel's call to prophetic ministry. The Bible says:
1 Samuel 3:19-21 (NKJV) The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel's words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the Lord. Then the Lord appeared again in Shiloh, for the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.
The Meaning
This passage reveals several important truths about Samuel's call to ministry:
God's Presence
The passage emphasizes God's presence with Samuel as he grew up. This is reminiscent of the promise in Joshua 1:9, where God says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Samuel experienced God's presence in a special way, which was a hallmark of his prophetic ministry.
Faithfulness
The Bible says that none of Samuel's words fell to the ground. This means that Samuel was faithful to the word of the Lord, and his prophecies were accurate and trustworthy. This is a key characteristic of a true prophet, who speaks the word of the Lord without adding or subtracting from it.
Recognition by the People
The passage also notes that all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, recognized Samuel as a prophet of the Lord. This is significant, as it shows that Samuel's prophetic ministry was not limited to a local or regional context, but was recognized nationally.
God's Revelation
Finally, the passage highlights God's revelation to Samuel in Shiloh. This is significant, as it shows that God was actively speaking to Samuel, revealing His will and purposes to him. This revelation was not limited to occasional episodes, but was a regular aspect of Samuel's prophetic ministry.
Application
What does this passage mean for us today? Here are a few takeaways:
- God is present with us: Just as God was with Samuel, He is with us today. We can experience His presence in our daily lives, guiding and directing us.
- Faithfulness is key: Like Samuel, we must be faithful to the word of God, speaking it forth with accuracy and integrity.
- Recognition by others: As we live out our Christian lives, we can expect to be recognized by others as followers of Jesus Christ.
- God's revelation: We can expect God to reveal Himself to us, speaking to us through His word and by His Spirit.
May we, like Samuel, respond to God's call and walk in obedience to His will.
