And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.
The verse took place when the word of the Lord was rare and precious and there was no open vision. God could not communicate with Eli and his sons because their sins like a thick cloud had shut out the presence of His Holy Spirit, while the child Samuel remained true to Heaven in the midst of surrounding evil. The Lord passed by His chosen servant, the aged priest lying down in his place with eyes dim, and before the lamp of God went out in the temple where the ark was, called the sleeping child three times. Eli at last knew the voice to be God's and bade Samuel answer, Speak for thy servant heareth, and this passing by of the priest was a bitter yet deserved rebuke to Eli and his house. Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Most High by being given the message of condemnation to the house of Eli.
His faithful delivery of God's painful warning to Eli's household proved him a true messenger. The Lord's presence with him was confirmed by the reliability of his words, for none of what he spoke failed. His call to be a prophet was in this way recognized throughout all Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba.
His childhood consecration and reverence for God were the basis for his being accepted and used by the Lord as a channel of light. A life given to God from youth is valuable to Him, and He can likewise accept and use consecrated young people in His work. He stands as a truthful example for children to follow by bringing themselves into right relation to God, taking His Word as it reads, and following its instruction.
The verse took place when the word of the Lord was rare and precious and there was no open vision. God could not communicate with Eli and his sons because their sins like a thick cloud had shut out the presence of His Holy Spirit, while the child Samuel remained true to Heaven in the midst of surrounding evil. The Lord passed by His chosen servant, the aged priest lying down in his place with eyes dim, and before the lamp of God went out in the temple where the ark was, called the sleeping child three times. Eli at last knew the voice to be God's and bade Samuel answer, Speak for thy servant heareth, and this passing by of the priest was a bitter yet deserved rebuke to Eli and his house. Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Most High by being given the message of condemnation to the house of Eli.
His faithful delivery of God's painful warning to Eli's household proved him a true messenger. The Lord's presence with him was confirmed by the reliability of his words, for none of what he spoke failed. His call to be a prophet was in this way recognized throughout all Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba.
His childhood consecration and reverence for God were the basis for his being accepted and used by the Lord as a channel of light. A life given to God from youth is valuable to Him, and He can likewise accept and use consecrated young people in His work. He stands as a truthful example for children to follow by bringing themselves into right relation to God, taking His Word as it reads, and following its instruction.