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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 17 July 2025:
1 Samuel 3:1 — And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.
Samuel 3 begins with the above ominous statement. The people had stopped hearing from God, and without God’s leading, they were doomed. The Book of Amos makes a similar statement — “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord (Amos 8:11). Today’s readings reveal not only that the “branch” had been separated from the “Vine” and was withering and dying, but the readings also reveal that the people were not aware of their condition – they felt that they were in a normal, healthy relationship with God.
Why had they ceased to hear God? Simple: Iniquity! (1 Samuel 3:13, 14) They had walked away from God and expected Him to follow them down their unholy path. So, when they were being defeated by the Philistines, they asked, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:3)?” Then, in desperation, they turned to the idol of ‘religious ritual’ and sought the ark of God (which had become for them an idol), believing that their salvation rested in it rather than God Himself — “Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies (1 Samuel 4:3).” Remember that similarly, Samson believed his strength came from his uncut hair rather than from his relationship with God.
Eli fell dead when he had heard the Philistines had captured the ark of the covenant, and the wife of Phinehas died in child birth “because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband.” Her dying words were, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” She did not understand that the glory of God departed long before the ark of God had been captured; it departed when the people departed from God.
Too many Christians have grown comfortable both with iniquity and with not hearing from God or experiencing his presence in their lives. They believe that the “distance” from God they feel, along with the silence, is normal. To fill the void, many people turn to religious activities, but religion is no substitute for relationship and fellowship with God which is manifested through the fruit of loving obedience, rather than empty works.
Self-serving, self-justifying, presumptuous, and prideful religion has no real power. God does not honor ritual and ‘good deeds’ without love, and love naturally seeks to honor God through obedience — “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) Only those who have a true relationship with God hear from God, though many who lack God’s revelation will mistake their emotions for the Spirit and self-talk for God’s word. Even Bible study can become an empty ritual for those who don’t see it as an encounter with God Himself and who have grieved and quenched the Holy Spirit by not responding to the conviction of the Spirit through God’s word. We must study God’s word, which is our primary source of revelation from God, but we must also abide by God’s word, walking with God in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
- James 4:8 — Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
- John 4:24 — God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
- 1 John 3:24 — Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
Samuel is described as faithfully ministering even before he could discern the Lord’s voice – humility is required to hear. Obedience is a prerequisite for open ears and eyes (Isaiah 6:10; Jeremiah 5:21; Ezekiel 12:2; Matthew 13:15; Acts 28:27; Romans 11:8) This is a picture of obedience and readiness. In contrast, the nation was spiritually dry — revelation was rare. Yet God is about to break the silence through a child—reminding us that God often chooses the lowly to bring revelation (cf. 1 Cor. 1:27). Christ Himself came not to the temple elite, but to humble shepherds and fishermen.
1 Samuel 3:4–5 — Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.
Samuel hears God’s voice but doesn’t yet recognize it. This shows the necessity of spiritual discernment and mature mentorship. Eli, despite his failings, helps Samuel understand it’s the Lord speaking. Like Philip telling Nathanael “Come and see” (John 1:46), mature believers must help the young recognize God’s call.
1 Samuel 3:10 — And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”
This turning point shows Samuel’s readiness. God doesn’t just speak; He “stood”—manifesting His presence. Samuel’s response mirrors Isaiah’s in Isaiah 6:8 and Mary’s in Luke 1:38—servants ready to listen and obey. The repetition of the name (“Samuel! Samuel!”) recalls other divine callings (cf. “Moses! Moses!” in Exodus 3:4, “Saul, Saul” in Acts 9:4). God’s call is personal and persistent.
1 Samuel 3:11–14 — Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.”
Samuel’s first prophetic word is not comforting — it is judgment. God holds Eli accountable for failing to restrain his sons’ blasphemy. Leaders who turn a blind eye to sin in the name of tolerance or peace lose their standing before God. Judgment begins with God’s household (1 Peter 4:17). God desires faithful shepherds, not passive stewards.
1 Samuel 3:13 — …his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them.
God expects His people to challenge sin, both within the family and in other relationships.
1 Samuel 3:18–19 — So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.” And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.
Samuel’s integrity is tested immediately. He speaks hard truth to Eli, holding nothing back. In return, Eli accepts the word from the Lord. Despite his past failures, Eli models humility. Samuel’s prophetic ministry is affirmed — God validates his word. This is a powerful picture of trust and courage in the Lord. We too must speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), even when it costs us. God honors truthfulness and faithfulness.
Eli’s response to God’s malediction could be interpreted two different ways:
1) Eli’s statement could be taken positively as a demonstration of Eli’s respect and trust in God’s sovereignty through his punishment, Eli subjugating all else to God’s glory.
2) On the other hand, Eli’s statement could be seen as indifference or a complacent fatalism – “It doesn’t matter what I do, God is going to do what God is going to do, so why try?” The Bible does not reveal a concerted effort on the part of Eli to repent and to plead for mercy from God, contrary to the response we see from so many others when God pronounced judgment against them. What do you think?
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 17 July 2025: Learn to recognize and respond to God’s voice with obedience. Like Samuel, we often hear but don’t yet understand. We need mentors in the faith to help us discern. But ultimately, we must be like Samuel in saying, “Speak, for your servant hears.” Christ tells us in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” The true disciple doesn’t just hear—they respond in obedience. Today, practice silence, attentiveness, and readiness before God. Ask: “Am I truly listening to God’s voice through His Word, or only seeking affirmation of my own?” Listen. Respond. Obey.
Pray: “Lord, tune my ears to hear Your voice clearly. Give me the humility to be taught and the courage to obey. Help me never to ignore Your Word or harden my heart. May I be faithful like Samuel, and may Your presence go with me as I grow in grace and truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 