This chapter reveals how quickly the spiritual life people of Israel began a downward spiral so soon after the call of Samuel. Thinking that they would be guaranteed success in their battle with their enemies, the people of Israel only succeeded in surrendering the Ark of the Covenant to them. Worse yet, they treated something holy in a superstitious way and demeaned the glory of God by their actions. We do likewise if we do not guard well the truth of the gospel and allow man’s thoughts and ideas to lead us toward ungodly religion and superstition.

1 Samuel 3 contains three things that contribute to the overall picture it paints. The first is the need of the hour. The word of God was rare in those days. God’s judgement was upon the land because of their idolatry. Also. the chapter speaks of the call of the prophet Samuel one night when God spoke to him in audible tones. Samuel then had to declare the message of the Lord to Eli of the judgement upon his house. All this combines to remind us that Samuel’s heart was intent on hearing and being obedient to the Word of God.

In 1 Samuel 2:1-36 the writer carefully contrasts the character and actions of Hannah, her son Samuel and Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas who were priests of Israel. While Hannah rejoiced in God because of His faithfulness, the two sons of Eli showed great contempt for God and His Word and so earned God’s displeasure. In was in this situation that Samuel was raised and started living according to the grace he had received from God. Believers should never be the same as the world and our witness for Christ should be evident, like a light shining in a dark place.