This is a key chapter in the life of Samuel since it is here that Samuel replaces the flawed priest Eli as the main conduit between God and His people. The narrative proceeds in an orderly and chronological fashion and is usually taken that way. But at the same time, even the most dense reader cannot have failed to notice the numerous repetitions in the narrative. It is a bit like Grimm's fairy tales in that certain events and words are repeated in clusters to build up a sense of suspense. In this case, there are at least six repeated components to consider. And in addition, you can see from Figure 1 that these repetitions appear in a strictly symmetrical order.
Figure 1: Literary Structure of I Samuel 3
A. Samuel was ministering to the LORD (1a)
B. The word of the Lord was rare (1b)
C. Eli and Samuel were lying down (2-3)
D. The LORD called, Samuel! Samuel! (4a)
E. He said, 'Here I am' (4b)
F. Eli said, 'Lie down again' (5)
D. The LORD called again, Samuel! Samuel! (6a)
E. He said, 'Here I am' (6b)
F. 'Lie down again' (6c)
B. The word of the LORD had not been revealed to Samuel (7)
D. The LORD called again (8a)
E. He said, 'Here I am' (8b)
F. 'Lie down again' (8c-9)
D. The LORD called again (10a)
E. He said, 'Speak' (10b)
B. The word of the LORD is revealed to Samuel (11-14)
C. Samuel lay down (15)
D. Ely called Samuel (16a)
E. He said, 'Here I am' (16b)
B. The word of the LORD is revealed to Eli (17-18)
A. Samuel was a prophet of the LORD (19-20)
Instead of reading this chapter in chronological order, next look for what it has to say while considering similarly lettered sections. With that different approach, we can see the following:
“A” Sections
A comparison of these two passages demonstrates that the intervening events in the chapter have had the effect of transforming a mere flunky in the temple to a powerful prophet who will be used by God for decades afterward to make and break kings. It is an important development in God's dealing with the people of Israel which from the beginning of the nation saw Him utilizing prophets, priests, and kings over the whole span of the Old Testament to reveal His will to His people. And of course the ultimate spokesman for God was Jesus Christ, who held all three offices at once.
“B” Sections
There is an interesting progression here as well as we look at these four passages. The first time the phrase “word of the LORD” appears we are told that direct communication from God to man was extremely rare at the time. Tellingly, the second passage using that phrase reveals that the “man of God” Eli was similarly cut off from any word from God. And from our previous knowledge as to how he had turned a blind eye to all the abuses of position his two sons had been engaging in, we are not surprised at that fact. But surprisingly, the lowly but faithful temple servant Samuel becomes the one to whom God chooses to talk instead. And lastly, Samuel reluctantly shares God's revelation that Eli will be supplanted, and the latter bows to his fate, realizing that he fully deserves condemnation for favoring his sons over God Himself. That last point should hold a valuable message for all of us parents.
“C” Sections
Even these two short passages in which it is said that Samuel was in bed contain a message. The first time it is obvious that Samuel is asleep whereas the second time he may have been lying down in bed, but it is doubtful that he got much sleep that night thinking about God's words to him and whether he should share them with Eli.
Most of us have had that sort of experience at least once in our life where we are facing some sort of trial the next day and can't relax at all. I can remember years ago when I had decided to break up with a girl I was dating but didn't know how to go about it or what her reaction would be. It turned out that I needn't have agonized since she told me that she wanted to break it off before I even had a chance to talk. Similarly, in Samuel's case it was Eli who forced the subject, and he took the news quite graciously since he knew full well his faults deserved punishment.
I am reminded ot the hymn lyrics from "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" – "Oh, what peace we often forfeit, / Oh, what needless pain we bear, / All because we do not carry / Everything to God in prayer."
“D-E-F” Sections
These three repeated components of the narrative should best be considered together. As with many folk tales, things often happen in triads. Thus, in this case it is only after Samuel has gotten up and wakened Eli for the third that the aging priest begins to catch on that there is a divine mystery going on here. We can perhaps excuse Eli for being a little spiritually obtuse since we have been pointedly reminded in v. 7 that he had never been privileged to receive any direct communication from God.
Samuel is prepared for the fourth time God wakes him, and instead of running to Eli he simply says, “Speak.”
It is only on the final occasion he is called when the call actually comes from Eli, who is naturally curious as to what God may have told Samuel.
One obvious message to us is that we need to be always open and alert for any word from God which may be given us by any means He chooses. A very valuable resource on how to do that is Garry Friesen's book Decision Making & the Will of God.
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