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{{DOD-March}}
The events in today's chapters center around three persons-- Hannah, Eli, and [[Samuel]]. [[God]]'s sovereign working is seen in the birth of [[Samuel]], for his mother, Hannah, was barren. Hannah prayed that [[God]] would give her a son, and even before she had conceived she consecrated him to the [[Lord]]. [[God]] answered Hannah's prayer and [[Samuel]] was born. The name [[Samuel]] (which means "requested of [[God]]") was given to the child as a token of the [[Lord]]'s faithfulness in answering Hannah's prayer. [[Samuel]] was weaned and presented to Eli, the priest, at the central shrine at Shiloh.
The call of [[Samuel]] is covered in chapter 3. Tradition states that [[Samuel]] was about twelve years old at this time. He had grown up in the presence of the [[Lord]] and learned to serve in His Tabernacle, yet he did not have a personal experience with the [[Lord]]. How important it is for those who are raised in [[Christian]] homes to make their own personal decisions for Christ! [[Samuel]] had filled the lampstand with oil; it was close to daybreak and the lamp was about to go out. [[Samuel]] was sleeping and the [[Lord]] called him. He first thought that blind Eli needed his help, so he ran to him. Verse 10 records [[Samuel]]'s conversion. He said, "Speak, for thy servant heareth.".
This event was a turning point in history. Up to now, [[God]] had not spoken to the people in frequent or widespread (open) visions. But now everyone knew that [[Samuel]] was [[God]]'s [[prophet]] and that the [[Lord]] was with him. The [[Lord]] was now able to appear once again because there was a man whom He could trust. Certainly [[God]] could do more for His people even today if He could find a devoted man willing to be His servant!
