1 Samuel 3 | Here I am

Summary

Ever since Joshua, the people of Israel have lived under the leadership of priests and judges. The last chapter of Judges (and the first few chapters of 1 Samuel) make it clear that the priests no longer honored God. As for the judges, they were raised up to quell a specific threat (by the grace of God) only for Israel to fall back into idolatry and oppression. Some people call Samuel the last of the judges, but his role was to lead the people spiritually rather than in battle. Others would call him a priest, since he was devoted to the work of God and grew up under the watchful eye of Eli, but his role was more than a mediator. He is both of these things. In the story of God calling Samuel, we see that he is primarily a prophet, a mouthpiece for God’s truth. This helps us as we move forward in the book. When Samuel speaks, he is speaking as someone with specific insight into God’s will. It also signals a change of leadership for Israel, who once again hear from God through His prophet.