Samuel Prophet-priest I Samuel 3

I Samuel 3:19-20 "And Samuel grew and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD."

Eli is old and blind. Samuel is still young and until now relies on Eli for his instructions. The the light in the tabernacle went out. Israel was told to never let the light go out in Exodus 27:20:

"And thou shalt command the children of Israel that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always."

The situation in the tabernacle with the light gone out and Eli being blind is a good picture of some of our churches today. They have lost their focus on the LORD and the needs of the people. The shepherd cares only how the sheep can profit him and cares not for the lost or wandering sheep so far as their care is concerned. The light has gone out.

v11 "And the LORD said to Samuel Behold I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle."

After the LORD talked with Samuel for the first time (see v7) Eli demanded to know all that the LORD had said. It confirmed what Eli was told in the previous chapter, that the house of Eli was under the judgment of God. Eli in perhaps a last attempt at obedience said:

v18 "And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good."

But even in that statement there seems to be a little bite, 'do what seemeth him good' would have to be heard audibly to know if there was some doubt or sarcasm there. We know that the LORD can do only good. It's almost like Eli was saying the modern teen word 'whatever'. However it is not possible to know for sure since we did not hear the words spoken. We can give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he was being submissive to God's will.

Henceforth, Samuel got his instructions directly from the LORD. Eli's house has fallen.

This was at Shiloh. v21

Psalms 129:4 "The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked."

keywords: Bible Study, Old Testament, Samuel, Eli, Israel, Milton Southerland