Lesson #04

1 SAMUEL 3
Lesson #04
GOD’S CALL TO MINISTRY

• Memory Verse: Romans 8:28 or 1Peter 2:9

• Read 1Sam 3:1-18 Samuel’s call to ministry
• Abraham was the first prophet (Gen 20:7). Moses was the greatest Old Testament prophet (Deu 18:15, 18-22 Deu 34:10). However Samuel was the first of a series of prophets called by God to speak to the nation of Israel.
• Samuel was a teenager in ISam 3. The word “boy” or “child” (8) means a young person.
• The same word was used of David when she killed Goliath.
• The Spiritual Condition of the Time:
• From this passage we see the spiritual condition of the priesthood, Eli’s own household, and the people.
• There had been no word from God for some time. In fact it was a rare event.
• This is obvious from the attitude of Eli, the High Priest who did not know what was happening.
• It was a time of extremely limited prophetic activity.
• No one was proclaiming the Word of God.
• The people had no idea how God was working with His people.
• “…the lamp of God went out in the temple…”

(3)

• The priests were supposed to fill the candlestick in the Holy Place with oil morning and evening. (Lev 24:1-4)
• It was never supposed to be extinguished.
• There was a lack of recognition of God’s voice. Why?
• The neglect of God’s Word causes people to become unfamiliar with the character of God, how God works, and what God expects.
• Samuel did not yet know the Lord in a personal way, nor had God ever talked to him before. (7)
• Application:
• God has a call on your life!
• What is your calling in Jesus Christ?
• Believers are called to be saints (Rom 1:6-7)
• Believers are called to be children (sons of God) (Rom 9:26 1Joh 3:1)
• Believers are called to peace (1Cor 7:15)
• Believers are called to be servants (1Cor 7:21)
• Believers are called to be free in liberty (1Cor 7:22 Gal 5:13)
• Believers are called to the fellowship of Jesus (1Cor 1:9)
• Believers are called to have one hope (Eph 4:4)
• Believers are called to be one body in Christ (Col 3:15)
• Believers are called to holiness (1The 4:7)
• Believers are called to receive the promise of eternal inheritance (Heb 9:15)
• Believers are called to eternal life (1Tim 6:12)
• Believers are called out of darkness (1Pet 2:9)
• Believers are called to suffering (1Pet 2:21)
• Believers are called to blessing (1Pet 3:9)
• Believers are called to glory (2Pet 1:3 1Pet 5:10)
• Believers are called to moral excellence (2Pet 1:3)
• Believers are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9)
• God’s eight callings for the believer:
• Read 1Pet 1:4-8

• Samuel’s response to God’s call

• “…Speak; for thy servant heareth.”

(10)

• The word, “heareth” means = to listen with interest and an expectation to obey.
• What were the words God gave to Samuel in this first prophetic message?
• This is a very difficult message for a first prophetic message to a youth.
• God told him of the destruction of Eli’s household.
• This is the second warning given.
• The same message was given in 1Sam 2:30-34.
• What specifically were Eli’s sins?
• Read Num 15:31
• He did not value the Word of God.
• Read Deu 21:18-21
• He did not discipline his sons or deal with them as the Law prescribed.
• For Eli’s sins there was no atonement. (14) In other words, Eli had been warned and now it was too late.
• Samuel’s first test as a prophet of God.
• He must decide whether or not to change or repeat such a negative message to Eli, a man who was his authority.
• Because Samuel spoke the message God gave him accurately, we can emulate Samuel’s character.
• We should be as obedient.
• We should be as open to God.
• We should be as faithful to what God shows us.
• We should be unwilling to compromise God’s Word.
• We should be as reliant on The Lord’s presence.

• Read 1Sam 3:19-21 Samuel’s Ministry
• A prophet of God had a very difficult calling and required a great deal of courage..
• A prophet was to speak for God. Often the messages were warnings and corrective messages that the people considered negative. Because of their negative tone and the people’s refusal to repent, the majority of Israel’s prophets were killed by their own people.
• “…did let none of his words fall to the ground.”

(19)

• Every prophetic message God gave, Samuel was obedient to speak every word.
• He had a national ministry and a national reputation.
• Dan to Beersheba is from Israel’s northern border to its southern border (150 miles).

• Application:
• Because all believers in Jesus Christ are called to serve God in ministry just as Samuel was called, we need to consider seriously how God wants us to serve him.

HOMEWORK
1 SAMUEL 4
This is a self-study. Please Do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.

• Application of 1Sam 3
• Consider your own calling by God. What changes does the Lord want you to make in your life to better emulate Samuel’s responses?

• Preparation for 1Sam 4
• Read 1Sam 4:1-22
• Background:
• Read Jos 6:7-8 for the significance of the presence of the ark of the covenant that caused them to gain a great victory at Jericho.
• Why did the presence of the ark in 1Sam 4 not give them victory over the Philistines?

• Why were the people of God so surprised when the glory of God departed?

• Read Joh 2:13-21
• How does this incident parallel 1Sam 4?

• Read Joh 18:1-11
• How does this incident parallel 1Sam 4?

• Memory Verse: Mat 7:21