A Word From The Lord Was Rare ∙∙∙

A Word From The Lord Was Rare ∙∙∙

A word from the LORD was rare in those days, and visions were infrequent. – 1 Samuel 3:1

1 Samuel 3:1-11

Now, in those days, messages from the LORD were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.

Suddenly, the LORD called out, “Samuel!” “Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?”

He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am.” Now, in those days, messages from the LORD were very rare. “I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So, he did.

Then the LORD called out again, “Samuel!” Again, Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.”

Samuel did not yet know the LORD because he had never had a message from the LORD before.

So, the LORD called a third time, and once more, Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” Then Eli realized it was the LORD who was calling the boy.

So, he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.’” So, Samuel went back to bed.

Then the Lord came and stood and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.”

The Power of Listening: A Lesson in Persuasion

George possessed an extraordinary talent for persuasion, effortlessly guiding conversations and influencing others to adopt his perspective. His secret weapon? He listened.

Rather than dominating discussions, George used a simple yet profound strategy. He posed thought-provoking questions and then let silence take over, creating space for others to express their thoughts. By stepping back and letting their voices take center stage, George exemplified active listening. He paid close attention not only to the words themselves but also to the principles, emotions, and motivations that shaped what was said.

This intentional listening enabled George to develop a deep understanding of others’ viewpoints, motivations, and unspoken desires. He acknowledged what he heard, often discerning more than was explicitly stated. Recognizing that there is always more beneath the surface, George tailored his responses to align with the audience’s deeper needs and aspirations. This thoughtful approach made his arguments resonate on a personal level, leaving a lasting impact.

What truly set George apart was his openness to learning from others. He was not rigid in his views; instead, he remained willing to adapt and refine his perspective when warranted. This flexibility, combined with his genuine attentiveness, earned him credibility and trust. Because George listened so intently, people rarely felt the need to argue with him. His thoughtful engagement made his perspective not only compelling but often the wisest in the room.

George’s example underscores a powerful truth: listening is far more persuasive than speaking. If you want others to listen, stop talking.

The Father’s Voice: A Lesson from Samuel

The Father is always listening. At the right time, He speaks in His perfect way.

1 Samuel 3:7: “Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never received a message from the Lord before.”

When the Father first called out to Samuel, the young boy did not recognize His voice. Samuel had never heard the Father speak to him before. At the time, Samuel was faithfully serving in the Tabernacle under Eli’s guidance. Though he diligently carried out his responsibilities, Samuel had not yet encountered the Father personally.

Eli discerned the significance of what was happening. Realizing that the voice Samuel heard was the Father’s, Eli wisely instructed the boy on how to respond when the Father called again.

This moment marked the beginning of Samuel’s journey into a deeper relationship with the Father, moving from faithful service to a personal encounter. It reminds us that the Father’s timing is intentional and that His voice comes when we are ready to hear it.

1 Samuel 3:9: “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”

Eli’s guidance offers a timeless model for responding when the Father speaks. His instruction to Samuel was simple yet profound: a declaration of surrender and acknowledgment of the Father’s authority. This response embodies humility and readiness, recognizing the Father as the ultimate Master and ourselves as His willing servants.

 A Contrast of Samuel’s Devotion vs. Eli’s Failure

Samuel’s willingness to listen and respond stands as a powerful example of faithfulness in contrast to the neglect and disobedience of Eli’s household. Samuel’s faithfulness and attentiveness stand in sharp contrast to the failures of Eli and his sons. At the same time, Samuel was devoted and eager to serve. His story highlights the importance of devotion and readiness to hear the Father’s voice, even in a time of spiritual drought.

Eli was passive and negligent in his responsibilities, both as a father and as a priestly leader. Eli’s sons, described in 1 Samuel 2:12 as “worthless men who neither knew nor respected the Lord,” exemplified this failure. Their disregard for the Lord reflected a broader spiritual decline among the people of Israel.

During this time, the nation was marked by defiance and distance from the Father.

REFLECT & PRAY

It is all too easy to serve the Lord without truly knowing Him. As Jesus warns in Matthew 7:22-23:

On judgment day, many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ “But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”

Father, how I long to be like Samuel. Grant me the wisdom and readiness to respond promptly when You speak. May my heart always echo, “Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.”

INSIGHT

Samuel’s Encounter with the Lord

Samuel, now ready to hear and respond to the Father’s call, did not have to wait long. This time, however, the experience was far more profound than just hearing a voice.

The Lord was physically present, as described in 1 Samuel 3:10: “Then the Lord came and stood and called as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel replied, ‘Speak, your servant is listening.’’”

The significance of this moment cannot be overstated; every event in Samuel’s life had prepared him for this pivotal encounter.

Though still a boy, Samuel was no ordinary individual. He was being shaped for his future role as a prophet, a chosen messenger of the Lord. But the message he was about to receive was not of comfort but impending judgment so severe that it would leave a lasting impact on all who heard it.

The Shocking Revelation

The Father’s words to Samuel were both dreadful and terrifying. Samuel, undoubtedly listening intently, must have felt his heart race as the gravity of the message unfolded.

The Father proclaims in 1 Samuel 3:11:” Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.”

The Hebrew phrase often translated as “will make ears tingle” provides insight into the intensity of this moment. The Hebrew verb tsalal means “to tingle” or “to quiver.” In this context, it is in the causative form, indicating that the news would provoke a physical reaction in the listener. This vivid expression describes an event so shocking and unprecedented that it would leave people in awe or fear. Similar expressions appear in 2 Kings 21:12 and Jeremiah 19:3, indicating people’s reaction of utter shock or terror to coming judgment or catastrophic events.

The prophet Habakkuk experienced a similar reaction to unsettling news from the Lord, Habakkuk 3:16: “I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror.”

The nation was on the cusp of collapse, and what was coming would deeply shake Israel to its core. The Father’s message to Samuel foreshadowed a series of devastating events, including defeat by the Philistines, the deaths of Eli and his sons, the capture of the Ark of the Covenant, and the destruction of the sanctuary at Shiloh. This moment marked a turning point in Israel’s history. The Father had prepared his servant Samuel to receive and pass on his horrific message of judgment.

The Transition to a New Era

These catastrophic events marked the conclusion of an epoch and the dawn of a new phase in Israel’s history. The time of the Judges was drawing to a close, and the nation was poised to transition from a loose confederation of tribes to a unified kingdom. Samuel’s role as a prophet would be pivotal in guiding Israel through this transformative period.

First, he anointed Saul, the people’s choice for king, a decision that reflected their desire to be like the surrounding nations. However, Saul’s reign ultimately failed due to his disobedience and lack of faith. Later, Samuel anointed David, the Father’s chosen king. Unlike Saul, David would establish a lasting dynasty and usher Israel into a new era of unity, strength, and divine favor.    

The Father’s Timing

The Father’s silence should not be mistaken for absence or indifference. Often, His silence is a season of preparation, a time when He readies His people for the moment He speaks. In these quiet seasons, hearts are refined and made receptive to His wisdom.When the Father speaks, His words carry unparalleled wisdom and insight. Stay alert and ready to listen. His perspective is always the wisest in the room.

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© Dr. H 2026