Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for July 21, 2019

Guest Speaker: Dr. David Allen

Dean of the School of Preaching at SWBTS

The Call of Young Samuel: Lessons for Today
1 Samuel 3:1-4:1

I. Samuel – The Backstory (3:1)

In answer to the barren Hannah’s prayer, God gives her a son, Samuel. Hannah promised the Lord to give the child back to the Lord “to appear in the Lord’s presence, and to stay there permanently.” When Samuel was about three years old, Hannah presented him to Eli at the Tabernacle in Shiloh where Samuel began his service to the Lord.

II. God’s Call of Young Samuel to the Prophetic Ministry (3:2-14)

God’s unique call to Samuel came deep in the night while he was asleep in the Tabernacle. At first, Samuel did not understand it was God calling him. He mistook the voice of God for the voice of Eli. When Eli instructed Samuel in how to reply to the Lord, Samuel responded to the Lord’s call with the words: “Speak, your servant is listening.”

III. Samuel Deliver’s God’s Word of Judgment to Eli (3:15-18)

Through Samuel, God confirmed his prior prophecy to judge the wicked sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas.

IV. Samuel Becomes a “Confirmed Prophet” to All Israel (3:19-4:1)

Summary statement of Samuel’s growth to maturity, his prophetic standing before all Israel, and the Lord’s regular revelations of his word to Samuel to be delivered to the people.