God called Samuel as a child to raise up a faithful prophet during a time of spiritual decline in Israel and to begin the transition from the corrupt leadership of Eli’s household. Samuel’s early calling highlights God’s authority and the importance of listening to His voice from a young age.
The context is set in a time of rare revelation:
“The word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.”
(1 Samuel 3:1)
Samuel was serving in the tabernacle under Eli when God called him by name:
“That the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, ‘Here I am!’”
(1 Samuel 3:4)
At first, Samuel did not recognize the Lord’s voice and thought Eli was calling him. After the third time, Eli realized what was happening and instructed him:
“Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.’”
(1 Samuel 3:9)
When God called again, Samuel responded:
“Speak, for Your servant hears.”
(1 Samuel 3:10)
The Lord then gave Samuel a message of judgment against Eli’s house:
“I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken… because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them.”
(1 Samuel 3:12–13)
Samuel faithfully delivered the message the next day, and from then on, God’s word continued to come through him:
“So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him… And all Israel… knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the Lord.”
(1 Samuel 3:19–20)
God chose Samuel early because He was raising up a new leader to speak His truth faithfully and restore spiritual direction to His people.