Speak for Your Servant Is Listening - God Calls Samuel

An elder approaches David to anoint him as a leader, reminding David of a secret promise the prophet Samuel made to him years ago. By telling the story of Samuel hearing from God as a child, David assures them that God’s power and love will not let any promise go unfulfilled.

In Scripture, God often answers a woman’s request for a child. These children have an important role in the story of God. For example, Abraham’s wife Sarah couldn’t have a child until God gave her a miracle.

Samuel’s leadership was vitally important to the establishment of Israel’s monarchy. Samuel showed faithfulness by listening to God and doing what God told him to do.

King David, whom Samuel anointed, became a great king. God promised that the Messiah would come from the line of David. Matthew 1:1 describes Jesus as the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Questions to Consider:

1. What do you think it was like for Samuel to grow up helping Eli?
2. How do you think Samuel felt when he realized that God was calling out to him?
3. What did Samuel do with the message that God gave him?
4. How was Samuel faithful to God?