At last the aged priest realized that the Lord had called the child and so told him that, if the voice came again, he should say, “Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.” It was an appalling message to which Samuel listened. The Lord was about to visit in wrath Eli and his house because of the vileness of his sons and because he restrained them not. It may strike some as strange that such a message should have been given to a child. Could not the Lord find an older person for this service? John's second epistle comes to mind here. It was written to give us the mind of the Lord concerning false teachers and their destructive doctrines. But to whom is it addressed? not to “the well beloved Gaius,” but to “the elect lady and her children.” These must be instructed to make a stand for the truth. They must close their doors, and refuse even the ordinary civilities of life to those who “abide not in the doctrine of Christ.” Natural amiability might suggest that this is men's work and that women and children might well be spared such stern action; but it is important to understand that when evil is stalking abroad none can be permitted to excuse themselves. Neither age nor sex is a plea for unfaithfulness.
It was a painful shock for the lad Samuel to have to tell next morning what the Lord had spoken. He had no further sleep that night. It was his first introduction to the solemn realities of service and testimony for God in an evil world. In reply to Eli's inquiry, Samuel told him all but he simply bowed the head, saying, “It is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth Him good.” There was no rousing up to energetic action, no real sense of the evil and dishonor of the whole sorrowful business.