1 Samuel 3 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
1 Samuel 3 Summary - A Quick Overview
WHEN:
The birth of Samuel is usually dated between 1100 B.C. and 1070 B.C.
Samuel was born in chapter 1, and he is described as a “boy” in chapter 3.
CHARACTERS:
Samuel – The last judge of Israel. He was the firstborn son of Hannah, but he grew up in Shiloh serving the Lord at the Tabernacle.
Eli – The 14th judge of Israel. He was a priest who served God at the Tabernacle.
Hophni and Phinehas – Eli’s sons who served at the Tabernacle with him. They were wicked men who continually disrespected God.
WHERE:
The Tabernacle of God was in Shiloh during these days.
OUTLINE:
GOD SPEAKS TO SAMUEL FOR THE FIRST TIME (3:1-14):
One night, Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of the Covenant.
He was woken up by a voice calling him.
He assumed it was Eli’s voice, so he went to Eli’s bed and asked him why he had called.
Eli told Samuel he had not called and told him to go back to bed.
Samuel went back to bed, but he heard the call a second time.
He returned to Eli’s side only to receive the same response.
Later, Samuel heard the call a third time.
After informing Eli, Eli perceived it was the Lord calling Samuel.
He told Samuel to go back to bed and if he heard the call again, he was to respond, “Speak Lord, for your servant hears.”
Sure enough, the call came a fourth time, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Samuel responded as Eli had instructed him, and God spoke to him about the future of Israel and the future of Eli’s house.
God was going to punish Israel and bring His judgement on Eli’s house (see 2:27-36).
Eli was going to be punished because he failed to discipline his sons even though they blasphemed God on a regular basis.
SAMUEL TELLS ELI THE MESSAGE FROM GOD (3:15-18):
After the Lord spoke to Samuel, he went back to bed until the morning.
He was afraid to tell Eli God’s message, but Eli insisted.
Eli accepted God’s judgement saying, “It is the Lord. Let Him do what seems good to Him.”
SAMUEL’S REPUTATION AS A PROPHET (3:19-21):
The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up and He spoke with him at Shiloh.
Before long, all Israel knew that Samuel was God’s prophet.
