3:11 Samuel 3:1

In those days direct messages from God were rare and there was no open vision because He could not speak through Eli the high priest, whose failure to judge his own sons and remove them from sacred service dishonored Him and whose sins shut out His Spirit like a thick cloud.ST Feb 18, 1897+1 It was night in the house of God where the ark stood, before the lamp went out, when old Eli lay in his place unable to see and young Samuel lay down to sleep, and God called Samuel three times until Eli understood and told him how to answer.PP 581.2–3 The boy Samuel served the Lord faithfully before Eli and stayed true to Heaven amid evil, so God passed by His aged chosen servant to commune with the child, a bitter but deserved rebuke to Eli's house by revealing to Samuel what would come upon it.ST Feb 18, 1897+2 Even as a little child he did humble work in the tabernacle willingly and to the best of his ability from love for God, which was accepted and became a great work for Israel, and though surrounded by the corrupting influence of Eli's sons who polluted the whole atmosphere, he kept spotless character with no delight in sin by keeping close to Heaven.3T 472.2–3+1 His example shows that youth can have principles so firm that Satan's strongest temptations cannot draw them away, and that God can train, fit and use even a child as keeper of sacred truth and messenger of His message, expecting children and youth to reflect His character and to do a work for Christ that adults cannot do.3T 472.2–3+4

The word of the Lord was precious in those days in the sense of being rare, and there was no open vision because God could not communicate with Eli the high priest and his sons.PP 581.2–3 Eli dishonored God by failing to judge his own sons and by neglecting to separate them from the Lord's service, so the Lord spoke no more to him.ST Feb 18, 1897 Their sins stood like a thick cloud shutting out the presence of His Holy Spirit.PP 581.2–3

The setting was night in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was, before the lamp of God went out.PP 581.2–3 Eli was laid down in his place, his eyes dim so that he could not see, and Samuel was laid down to sleep.PP 581.2–3 The Lord called Samuel three times, and each time he hastened to Eli supposing the voice was his, until Eli perceived that the mysterious call was the voice of God.PP 581.2–3 Then Eli directed him to answer, Speak Lord for thy servant heareth.PP 581.2–3

The child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli and remained true to Heaven in the midst of evil.PP 581.2–3 God therefore passed by His chosen aged servant Eli to commune with and speak to the child Samuel, choosing to speak with him while still a child and passing over the aged Eli.PP 581.2–3+2 This passing by of Eli for a child was a bitter yet deserved rebuke to Eli and his house.PP 581.2–3 To Samuel was then revealed what was to come upon Eli and his house.ST Feb 18, 1897+1

Even as a child Samuel performed in the tabernacle humble duties suited to his ability, doing them willingly and to the best of his ability.ST Oct 11, 1910 His service was accepted because it came from love for God and a sincere desire to do God's will, and through him God accomplished a great work for Israel.ST Oct 11, 1910 While ministering before Eli he was surrounded by the most corrupting influences, seeing and hearing things that grieved his soul.3T 472.2–3 The sons of Eli who ministered in holy office were controlled by Satan and polluted the whole atmosphere around them, while men and women were daily fascinated with sin and wrong.3T 472.2–3

Yet Samuel walked untainted, his robes of character spotless, having no fellowship with those sins and not the least delight in them though they filled all Israel with fearful reports.3T 472.2–3 Because he loved God and kept his soul in such close connection with Heaven, an angel was sent to talk with him about the sins of Eli's sons which were corrupting Israel.3T 472.2–3 His example proves that youth may have principles so firm that the most powerful temptations of Satan will not draw them away from allegiance.3T 472.2–3 United to God and angels they will be as those who see not and hear not evil, knowing their weakness and uniting their ignorance to Christ's wisdom and their weakness to His strength to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life.3T 472.2–3

The Lord claims young men as His helping hand, for Samuel was a mere child when the Lord used him to do a good and gracious work.CT 488.4+1 His service stands as an example for young men who are called to serve as the Lord's helping hand.CT 488.4+1 God can prepare and fit even a child for sacred service and make the child a keeper of sacred truth, a messenger and worker to make His message of truth known to people.Lt 62, 1909, par. 1+2 Like Samuel, people of every age can be fitted for God's work and assigned a place in His missionary field.Lt 139, 1900, par. 5

Samuel was educated for the Lord in his youth.Ms 99, 1899, par. 26 His history shows that God expects children and youth to live in a way that reflects His character and that He is willing to reveal Himself to them.Ms 62, 1901, par. 17–18 The Lord communicated with the child Samuel, instructing him and molding his mind, and He can communicate in the same way now with children and youth because youth are more impressible.Lt 27a, 1892, par. 1–4 Older persons can become so set in their own course that although God sends His messages to them, as He did to Eli, they do not hear with a firm will to obey.Lt 27a, 1892, par. 1–4 Therefore well organized, trained and disciplined youth can be raised up to do a work for Christ which adults cannot do.Lt 27a, 1892, par. 1–4