由於祭司的墮落和以色列人普遍的悖逆，因此在那段以色列的黑暗時期，「耶和華的言語稀少」（3：1）。上帝怎麼能透過那些不尊重祂也不認識祂的祭司說話呢？（2：12）他們在會幕裡的事奉毫無意義，並且很快就要結束了（4：18）。不過，上帝將興起撒母耳來填補空隙，並作以色列百姓急需的屬靈上的強力領導者。

        傳統上認為，當上帝第一次用可聽到的聲音向撒母耳說話時，他那時不過只有十二歲。耶穌在耶路撒冷與律法師談論，令他們大吃一驚，當時祂也是十二歲。我們不該輕看小孩子，因為他們經常比成人更具有敏銳的屬靈感受力。當上帝呼喚撒母耳，那時一定接近破曉時分，因為燃燈的油燒了一夜已經快要燒光了（3：3）。撒母耳被上帝的聲音喚醒時可能還在瞌睡狀態，他不曉得那是來自上帝的聲音，但因以利的領悟和智慧的指示，當上帝第四次再叫他時，他就預備好聽主的話了。信徒在屬靈上不可沈睡，乃要隨時準備好，分辨及傾聽上帝的聲音。像撒母耳一樣，我們要回答：「請說，僕人敬聽」（3：10）。傾聽上帝是與上帝溝通的最主要要素。上帝不是只造一個嘴巴，但給我們兩隻耳朵嗎？

        以利曉得上帝揀選了撒母耳，不過他並不嫉妒，反而尊敬撒母耳。以利謙卑的接受了上帝對撒母耳所說的話，即使那些話如同前次那位不知名的先知（第二章）一樣，是不利於他和他兒子的（3：18）。以利知道自己所受的責備一定很難過，因為「他不禁止自己的兒子作孽」，並且「以利家的罪孽，雖獻祭奉禮物，永不能得贖去」，上帝棄絕他們為祭司的審判已經確定了。

        耶和華與撒母耳說話的消息從以色列最北邊（但）傳到最南邊（別是巴）（3：20）。以色列眾百姓一定高興極了，經過這麼長一段時間以後，以色列人終於有一位上帝的真先知在他們中間，他們也都接受撒母耳為上帝所指派的領導者。

        當時以色列正與非利士人作戰。非利士人是一支強大的民族，他們可能是移民自克里特島（或者迦斐託；摩9：7；申2：23；耶47：4~5），並佔領了沿地中海岸許多地區。非利士人擊敗以色列人，特別是約櫃被擄，就是上帝所說必使聽見的人耳鳴的可怕消息（3：11）。上帝不只用這場挫敗審判以色列，同時也應驗了祂說何弗尼、非尼哈將同日而死的預言（2：34）。因為上帝已經預先警告過，所以他們的死訊並沒有影響以利太大，倒是約櫃的被擄使以利大受震驚而死。

        以色列人由於迷信的緣故，沒有先求問上帝就把約櫃運送到戰場上。他們深受鼓勵，以為有了約櫃就表示上帝會與他們同在，使他們得勝。他們不瞭解，約櫃只是上帝同在的一個象徵；以色列連嘗敗績，因為他們把信心放在宗教的外在型式上，而不是信靠上帝超自然的能力。以色列軍隊的失敗和約櫃的被擄讓所有以色列人清楚的看見，由於以色列人的罪，上帝的榮耀已經離開了（「以迦博」）。上帝只居住在聖潔的子民當中，這是千真萬確的事。

        主耶穌，您說：「我的羊認得我的聲音」。求您用任何您所選擇的方式對我們說話──用可聽見的聲音，像您對撒母耳；或者用「微小的聲音」，像您對以利亞。謝謝主，藉著您被寫下來的話──聖經──我們可以更完全的肯定並瞭解您對我們說的話。奉主耶穌聖名，阿們！

English

        Because of the corruption of the priesthood and widespread apostacy in that dark period of Israel's history, "the word of the Lord was rare in those days" (3:1). How could God speak through those priests who did not honour Him nor know Him (2:12)? Their service in the tabernacle was meaningless and soon to be ended (4:18). Yet God was raising up Samuel to fill the gap and to be a much needed strong spiritual leader for the people of Israel.

        Tradition says Samuel was but twelve years old when, for the first time, God spoke to Him in an audible voice. Jesus was also twelve years old when He amazed the teachers of the law in Jerusalem. We must not look down upon children, for they are often more spiritually receptive than adults. When God called Samuel, it must have been near dawn, since the oil to burn the lamp ("Menorah", Exodus 25:31-35) throughout the night had almost gone out (3:3). Samuel, probably drowsy from being awakened, did not recognize that it was a divine voice, but with Eli's perception and wise instruction, he was ready if God was to call him a fourth time. The believer must not be spiritually sleeping, but always ready, discerning, and listening for the voice of the Lord. Like Samuel, we must answer "Speak, for Your servant hears" (3:10).

        Listening to and hearing from God is the main ingredient for communication with Him. Did He not create us with two ears and only one mouth? Eli recognized that God had chosen Samuel, and yet this did not arouse jealousy but rather respect for Samuel. Eli humbly accepted as truth the words God had spoken to Samuel, even though they, like the message delivered through the unnamed prophet (chapter 2), were against him and his sons (3:18). It must have been hard for Eli to hear that he was to blame because "he did not restrain them" (3:13), and that no amount of sacrifice could make atonement for them because the judgment of God in rejecting their priesthood had already been firmly decided (3:14).

        Word of Samuel's communication with God spread from the most northern tip (Dan) to the most southern part of Israel (Beersheba; 3:20). It must have made all Israel glad to finally have, after such a long period, a true prophet of God among them, and they all accepted Samuel's leadership as divinely appointed.

        At that time, Israel was at war with the Philistines: a strong people occupying much territory around the Mediterranean coast and probably immigrants from Crete (or Caphtor; Amos 9:7; Deuteronomy 2:23; Jeremiah 47:4-5). Their defeat of Israel and especially the loss of the ark of God was the terrible news that God said would tingle the ears of everyone who heard it (3:11). By this defeat, God was not only judging Israel but fulfilling the prophecy spoken about Hophni and Phinehas' deaths on the same day (2:34). Because he had been forewarned, the news of the death of his sons did not affect Eli as much as the report of the stolen ark. The shock and horror of hearing of the capture of the sacred ark was so great that it caused his death.

        Out of a superstitious belief, the Israelites sent for the ark without first enquiring of the Lord. They were encouraged, thinking that having the ark would mean God would be with them to give them victory. They did not understand it was merely a symbol of God's presence; and so Israel continued to suffer defeat because they had put their faith in the external form of their religion rather than God's supernatural power. Their defeat and the loss of the ark caused all Israel to clearly see that, because of their sin, God's glory had departed ("Ichabod"). Truly our Lord will only make His habitation where there is holiness.

        Lord Jesus, You said, "My sheep know My voice." Please speak to us in any way You choose — audibly, as You did to Samuel, or even by that "still small voice", as You did later to Elijah. Thank you, Lord, for Your written voice, Your Holy Word by which we can confirm and understand more fully what You are saying to us.