God called Samuel three times during the night, leading to a pivotal moment in his life when he began to discern the voice of the Divine.
The Prophetic Calling of Samuel
The significant event where God repeatedly called an individual occurred with Samuel, who was serving under the priest Eli at the tabernacle. Samuel's experience is a foundational story illustrating the beginning of his prophetic ministry. This calling was not immediately recognized by Samuel, as he initially mistook God's voice for that of Eli's.
The Sequence of Calls and Eli's Guidance
The narrative unfolds with God calling Samuel while he was lying down. Each time Samuel heard the call, he promptly went to Eli, believing Eli had summoned him.
- First Call: Samuel heard a voice and went to Eli, saying, "Here I am; you called me." Eli, however, denied calling him and told Samuel to go back to sleep.
- Second Call: The LORD called Samuel again. Samuel, still not realizing it was God, rose and went to Eli a second time, repeating, "Here I am; you called me." Eli again told him he had not called him and to return to his place.
- Third Call: When the LORD called Samuel for the third time, Eli finally understood that it was the LORD Himself calling the boy. Recognizing the divine intervention, Eli instructed Samuel on how to respond if he heard the voice again. He told Samuel to lie down and, if called, to say, "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening."
| Call Number | Samuel's Initial Action | Eli's Response/Realization | Outcome for Samuel |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Went to Eli | Denied calling | Confusion |
| Second | Went to Eli | Denied calling | Still confused, but Eli starts to suspect |
| Third | Prepared to listen (as instructed by Eli) | Realized it was the LORD calling | Heard God's direct message and began his prophetic role |
The Significance of Samuel's Response
After Eli's guidance, when God called Samuel the fourth time, Samuel responded as instructed: "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening." It was at this moment that God began to speak directly to Samuel, revealing future events and establishing Samuel as a prophet. This event marked the beginning of Samuel's influential role as a judge and prophet in ancient Israel, an era detailed in the Book of 1 Samuel.
