revelation "was precious," it was rare, and prophetic "vision was not spread."  37

Meanwhile Samuel had grown into a youth, and was, as Levite, "ministering unto Jehovah before Eli." But

as yet, beyond humble, faithful walk before God, heart -fellowship with Him, and outward ministrations in His

sanctuary, Samuel had not other kn owledge of Jehovah, in the sense of personal revelation or reception of

His message (3:7). The sanctuary in Shiloh had become permanent, and we are warranted in inferring that

"the dwelling," which formerly was adapted to Israel's wanderings, had lost somewhat of its temporary

character. The "curtains" which in the wilderness had formed its enclosure, had no doubt been exchanged

for buildings for the use of the priesthood in their ministry and for the many requirements of their services.

Instead of the "veil" at the entrance to the outer court there would be doors, closed at even and opened to

the worshippers in the morning. The charge of these doors seems to have devolved upon Samuel, who as

"minister" and guardian lay by night within the sacred enclosure, in the court of the people - or, at least,

close to it, as did the priests on duty in later times. The aged high-priest himself seems to have lain close by,

probably in one of the rooms or halls opening out upon the sanctuary.

It was still night, though the dawn was near.38 The holy oil in the seven-branched candlestick in the holy

place was burning low, but its light had not yet gone out, when a voice calling Samuel by his name wakened

him from sleep. As Eli's eyes had begun to "wax dim," so that he would require the aid of the young Levite

on ministry, it was natural to infer that it was the voice of the aged high-priest that had called him.  39 But it

was not so, and Samuel again laid him down to rest. A second time the same voice called him, and a second

time he repaired in vain to Eli for his commands. But when yet a third time the call was repeated, the high-

priest understood that it was not some vivid dream which had startled the youth from his sleep, but that a

voice from heaven commanded his attention. There is such simplicity and child -like faith, such utter absence

of all intrusive curiosity, and such entire self-forgetfulness on the part of Eli, and on that of Samuel such

complete want of all self-consciousness, as to render the surroundings worthy of the scene about to be

enacted. Samuel no longer seeks sleep; but when next the call is heard, he answers, as directed by his

fatherly teacher: "Speak,40 for Thy servant heareth." Then it was that not, as before, merely a voice, but a

vision was granted him,  41 when Jehovah repeated in express terms, this time not in warning prediction, but

as the announcement of an almost immediate event, the terrible judgment impending upon Eli and his sons.

With the burden of this communication upon him, Samuel lay still till the gray morning light; nor, whatever

thoughts might crowd upon him, did the aged high-priest seek to intrude into what might pass between that

Levite youth and the Lord, before Whom he had stood for so many years in the highest function of the

priestly office, and into Whose immediate Presence in the innermost sanctuary he had so often entered.

Suffice it, the vision and the word of Jehovah had passed from himself - passed not to his sons and

successors in the priesthood, but to one scarce grown t o manhood, and whose whole history, associated as

it was with that very tabernacle, stood out so vividly before him. This itself was judgment. But what further

judgment had the voice of the Lord announced to His youthful servant?

And now it was morning, and Samuel's duty was to open the gates of the sanctuary. What was he to do

with the burden which had been laid upon him? In his reverence for his teacher and guide, and in his

modesty, he could not bring himself unbidden to speak of that vision; he trembled to repeat to him whom

most it concerned the words which he had heard. But the sound of the opening gates conveyed to Eli, that

whatever might have been the commission to the young prophet, it had been given, and there could be no

further hesitation in asking its import. Feeling that he and his family had been its subject, and that, however

heavy the burden, it behooved him to know it, he successively asked, entreated, and even conjured Samuel

to tell it in all its details. So challenged, Samuel dared not keep back anything. And the aged priest, however

weak and unfaithful, yet in heart a servant of the Lord, received it with humiliation and resignation, though

apparently without that resolve of change which alone could have constituted true repentance (1 Samuel

3:17, 18).

By the faithful discharge of a commission so painful, and involving such self-denial and courage, Samuel

had stood the first test of his fitness for the prophetic office. Henceforth "the word of the Lord" was