Q1. Listening Servant

[sunshine-lady]

Q. What was Eli's counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy?

A. Eli's advice was for Samuel to "go back and lie down, if he calls again, say speak Lord, your servant is listening".

Q. Was it good counsel?

A. Yes,  it was good counsel as it  made Samuel pay more attention  to the voice and obey the advice that was given.

Q. What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant?

A. It prepares him for service through becoming obedient to the God's messengers.

[Paul Irving]

On 11/28/2017 at 12:15 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) What was Eli’s counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy? Was it good counsel? What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant?

Eli said to Samuel lay down and the Lord calls you say speak Lord; for your servant hears.  Yes, at first Eli told Samuel that he did not call him, but on the third time he perceived that the Lord was speaking and Eli told Samuel to lay down and if He calls you say speak; for your servant hears.  Yes, it was good counsel because at first Eli might have just thought he heard a voice but he tells Samuel if you hear it again listen because it’s the Lord.  He is submitting to God, recognizing that he is a servant of the Lord.

[Botshelo]

Q1. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) What was Eli's counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy? Eli asked the boy to go back in bed and lie down, and wait for God to call again and when He does he should say; Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening."'
Ref: Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, 'Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening."'

Was it good counsel? Yes. Eli is correct in discerning that Yahweh is calling the boy, and his instruction of what to say is right on target:

What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant? 
It is humility. It signifies that he is owned by God just like a slave is owned by its master. Ref:  "Servant" is ʿebed, "servant, slave." The term is used as a polite and humble way to refer to oneself (Genesis 33:5; 2 Kings 8:13). In the case of a king, all his subjects are considered his servants, including all who serve him directly -- his officers, officials, and ambassadors.

[Rosesam]

Q1. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) What was Eli’s counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy?

Eli told Samuel to go and lie down and if He speaks again to say, Lord speak, your servant is listening.

Was it good counsel?

Yes it was. As Samuel had not known the word of God previously, Eli as a mentor was helping Samuel to recognize the voice of the Lord.

What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant?

Jesus said, I no longer call you servants but friends. We are not just friends but sons of the Most High God. That’s our positional privilege. But we need to realize that we are only servants in the presence of the Almighty, Omnipotent, Sovereign God. That understanding will help us to come with an attitude of humility before His presence.

[MyRockOfAges]

Q1. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) What was Eli's counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy? Was it good counsel? What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant? 

 

When Samuel came to Eli the third time in response to the call he heard, Eli perceived it is God calling him, and said next time when he hears the call, to answer as “Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening”.

 

It was indeed a good counsel to Samuel to start hearing from God and he goes on to become seer of God (see - er of God) and the last judge and installing the first king of Israel - Saul and then anointing David.

 

Samuel recognizing himself as servant (of God) brings him in a position to be ready always to listen to the command of God and be ready to obey and fulfill it.

[JAT]

On 11/28/2017 at 6:15 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) What was Eli’s counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy? Was it good counsel? What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant?

Eli's council to Samuel was "Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, 'Speak  LORD, for your servant hears"'

Yes, this was good counsel from Eli.

The significance of Samuel recognising that he is a servant of the LORD is important becasue Samuel has positioned himself in a humble subordinate role recognising his role and postions to the LORD's in their relationship.

[MosesSole]

On 11/28/2017 at 1:15 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) What was Eli’s counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy? Eli told Samuel to go back to bed and wait for God's voice again. If God's reaches out, Eli instructs Samuel to answer, "Speak Lord, Your servant is waiting."

Was it good counsel?  It was great counsel.

What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant?  I think "servant" is a humbling way to refer to oneself when we're talking to God.  We are his  children, therefore in service to Him that created us.

[Commissioned]

On 11/28/2017 at 1:15 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) What was Eli’s counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy? Was it good counsel? What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant?

What was Eli’s counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy?

When Eli counseled Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy, Eli told Samuel to say, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening".

Was it good counsel?

Eli's counsel was the right words at the right time.

What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant?

The significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant, especially of God, probably gave him some confidence in knowing that he is being  used by God .

[souxieq]

On 2/14/2018 at 7:15 PM, Johno said:

Q1. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) What was Eli’s counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy? Was it good counsel? What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant?

 

On 11/28/2017 at 11:45 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) What was Eli’s counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy? Was it good counsel? What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant?

Eli assured Samuel that it was the Lord speaking as Sam had not known the Lord before. Eli gave him the exact words he should use to answer the Lord. Speak and servant are instrumental in this one succinct sentence.

It was perfect counsel given the situation. Eli did not have any pride in telling Samuel to answer God even as he was the prophet and Samuel his student and protegee. Eli had a relationship with God and trusted him. He probably would have known that God was speaking to Samuel about something that Eli may have ignored.

The word servant has the implications of humility and obedience and denounces pride. 

Samuel must listen and do exactly as God tells him no matter the consequences that could be fearful. In this case he was to tell his mentor, someone whom he had the greatest respect for, that he was himself not obedient to God. It must have been very overwhelming and we see Samuel hesitating. But Eli probed it out of him. Eli may have been hesitant to deal with his own sons for fear of them being rebellious, or whatever. But as a parent and Gods spokesperson no less, he had to live a life dedicated to God which included the good behavior of his loved ones. He was in a tight spot.

But we see Eli's relationship with God came first. He accepted immediately God's message through his student which would have made him Avery humble man and a true servant of God.

[Mona Burton]

On 11/28/2017 at 2:15 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) What was Eli’s counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy? Was it good counsel? What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant?

Eli's counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling the boy was, "Go and lie down, and if He calls you, say, 'speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.' "

This was very good counsel.

The significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant means that he responds to the LORD in humility and submission, recognizing that the LORD, He is God and that he, Samuel, is no better than a slave before his master, and so is ready and willing to be obedient to His every command.

[Celia P]

What was Eli's counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy?

To go and lie down and if he hears the voice again to say ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.

Was it good counsel?

It was amazing council, because Eli knew it was the Lord calling Samuel, and confirmed this for Samuel.

What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant?

When we humble ourselves before Father it enables us to hear His voice and receive council. Samuel recognising himself as a servant, signifies a man not built up with self pride, a man who is willing to serve, therefore in the right condition for Father to use him.

Love and Blessings to you all. Xx

[Cam Prefontaine]

Q1. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) What was Eli's counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy? Was it good counsel? What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant? 

1-Samuel was in the habit responding to Eli's call.  Eli told Sam to go lie down, & if He calls again say " Speak Lord, your servant is listening."

2- Good advise. The Lord knew He would need to provide additional coaching on listening for God to speak.  Go continue as before, listen & when He  speaks, say " Speak Lord, your servant is listening.

3- Submissive attitude is required, It is God who speaks & invites us to Him. Not just a man.

 

 

 

 

[Cam Prefontaine]

A - B

C-As Samuel was given to Hannah, who respected & humbled herself before God and prayed for a son. She promised to give her son to serve the Lord in the Temple once weened.  I think that Samuel, learnt a lot by observing his mother with him, possibly a very humble women. Likewise Samuel may have learnt servanthood & humility before almighty God who gave her to Hannah. Elkanah & Hannah knew as the Jews who did their yearly pilgrimage, that Eli's 2 sons were wicked, contemptuous, prideful, violent men who were greedy & selfish. Samuel's parents may have offered counsel to their son, as well as Holy Spirit who had prepared Samuel to be His servant [ Who places God will before his own needs.]

 

[Cam Prefontaine]

Section 4: 1

Rom. 8:26And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believersl in harmony with God’s own will. 28And we know that God causes everything to work togetherm for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

We are His servants, to carry out His Purposes both in our life of service training, & Carrying out His Directives precisely as given by God the Holy Spirit.

 

 

[Krissi]

Why didn't God speak directly to Eli? The message was directed to Eli, not Samuel, so there must have been some significance in the fact that Samuel delivered a message that could have been told to Eli without an intermediary.

It's strange, that's all. Obviously Eli is spiritually wise enough to know that God could be speaking to Samuel so he would have heard God's voice speaking to himself as well. Perhaps God spoke to Samuel rather than Eli because he wanted to show Eli that his power will be, henceforth, on Samuel.

--

I don't think there's anything special in the words Samuel said to God, "Speak for your servant is listening." Eli was showing Samuel that God speaks this way. He was tutoring him. Mentoring him. He wanted Samuel to understand God's voice (presumably because he had heard it himself). Samuel's words didn't open up God's mouth, or even Samuel's ears (as he had heard him already, twice), but pointed Samuel's attention to the source of that sort of sound. God. 

Sometimes people don't recognize each other's voices. Samuel didn't recognize God's voice. It was unfamiliar. Eli, however, without hearing the voice, assumed it was God speaking. He must have expected God to speak to Samuel. 

[Thabiso]

Q1. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) What was Eli’s counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy?

Samuel was to respond as follows:-'Speak Lord, your servant is listening' 

Was it good counsel?

Yes it was. God wanted to speak to Samuel but Samuel would hear the voice of his spiritual father, Eli. Hence Eli had to redirect Samuel to God. 

What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant?

Serving God requires us to walk in humility. A servant does not question the mind of God but communicates the Word without adding or subtracting anything from it

[Irmela]

Q1. (1 Samuel 3:1-10)

What was Eli's counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy?  He told him, that if the VOICE calls again, to answer and say, "Speak lord, for Your servant is listening."

Was it good counsel?  Yes

What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant?    It was important to see himself as a servant. Usually a servant is humble and will not hesitate to follow through with the instructions given.  This will be done without questioning.

[Zanele Tlhakanelo]

Eli's counsel to Samuel was that he must go back and lie down. When God called him, Samuel was to respond by saying "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening."

It was a good counsel as Eli recognized that it was indeed God who was calling Samuel and he had to be humble and respond like a servant would do.

Samuel knew that he came to serve God and that the only Master that he needed to obey and take instructions from was God. Therefore, he did not consider himself above anyone and regarded himself to be the servant of God and man. 

[Dove81]

Q1. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) What was Eli’s counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy?

Eli told Samuel to “go and lay back down and if he calls you, say speak LORD for your servant is listening.”

Was it good counsel?

Yes it was.

What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant?

He now would have an intimate relationship with God. During that time the LORD only spoke to whom he chose to speak to, I would think Samuel felt honored and scared because of what the LORD revealed to him about Eli. He would be replacing his mentor.

[Zibuyile]

Q.1  Eli's counsel to Samuel was to instruct him to go lie down and whenever  he ears the voice again to say " speak lord your servant is listening 

Yes it was , as it was going to teach him to hear God's  voice and how to respond to call

The significance  of Samuel recognizing  he is a servant  is that he will learn to be obedient to God and be willing  to do what God requires  of him

[Karen11]

On 11/28/2017 at 1:15 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) What was Eli’s counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy? Was it good counsel? What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant?

To answer the Lord, tell him he was listening.

Yes, without his counsel Samuel would not have listened or known it was God.

As to humble himself before the Lord.