1 Samuel 3:6
And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
The call came while Samuel was serving in Eli's household in the sanctuary, asleep near the ark in the temple before the lamp went out, while aged Eli lay in his place unable to see. Samuel mistook the Lord's voice for Eli's and hurried to Eli's bedside to offer himself, saying in effect here am I, and was told Eli had not called and to lie down again. The same call and answer happened three times, after which Eli became convinced the mysterious voice was God.
The Lord came no more to Eli but called the youthful Samuel instead, passing by the aged priest and high priest to commune and speak with a mere child. Samuel's youth did not prevent God from choosing him to receive divine communication, for God spoke to him while he was still a child even though Eli was the aged priest. His early education was for the Lord.
That passing by was itself a bitter yet deserved rebuke to Eli and his house. As priest and judge in Israel Eli neglected his duty as a parent, indulged his sons, failed to restrain their wrong habits and practices and failed to separate them from holy office though they were utterly unfitted and dishonored God, so the Lord held him responsible and spoke no more to him. Their sins had shut out the Holy Spirit so God could not communicate with them.
In calling Samuel, God revealed to him what was to come upon Eli and his house in punishment for that sin. An angel spoke with him about the sons' sins, which were corrupting Israel.
Samuel lived among those corrupting influences, including Eli's sons, yet remained true, untainted, and closely connected to God. Eli felt no envy or jealousy over being passed by for the child.
God reveals Himself to and directly communicates with children and youth to instruct them and mold their minds, and children and youth can be educated for the Lord and receive God's communication. Samuel's life teaches that God expects children to learn obedience and to form characters after the divine likeness.
The Lord claims young men as His helping hand, taking Samuel when he was a mere child and using him to do a good and gracious work in His service. He prepares, fits, calls and uses children as well as adults to serve as His messengers and bearers of sacred truth, to make His message of truth known to people. Samuel as a child responding when God called him is the example of a child whom God prepares and calls for sacred work.
Youth are more impressible and can be trained, disciplined and organized as soldiers for Christ to do a work that adults cannot do, including winning souls. In contrast to Samuel, older persons sometimes become so set in their own course of action that although God sends His messages to them, they do not hear with a firm will to obey His voice.
Much evil could have been averted had Eli carefully trained his sons in childhood and youth to control self and keep God's glory in view. The verse therefore warns parents to educate their children rather than allow them to indulge and gratify self.