1 Samuel 3: 10-21

1 Samuel 3: 10-21

10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God,[a] and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’” 15 Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, 16 but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.” Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 17 “What was it he said to you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.” 19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.

Title: Samuel’s Vision

Message: God takes delight in honesty and integrity. He called on Samuel and revealed to the child everything about Eli’s children’s wicked deeds, Eli’s reaction to those and His punishment for all that they had done. The matter presented to him were related in all honesty by the boy Samuel to Eli when the priest himself asked him the following day. The truth was accepted by Eli and Samuel, as desired by God, continued his service to the Lord.

Promise to Claim: “So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it …” (Proverbs 2: 20-21).  

Command to Obey: Let us practice honesty and integrity. Let us speak the truth for us to earn people’s trust, above all the favor of God.

Warning to Heed: Dishonesty deceives (Gen. 3: 1-7) and God deals with dishonesty and dishonest people.

Application: I will keep in mind to speak the truth every time.