Question – Why did God talk to Samuel…

Question:

Why did God talk to Samuel when “he did not yet know the Lord”?

“Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.”
1 Samuel 3:7

Answer:

“Before receiving this message from God, ‘Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him;’ that is, he was not acquainted with such direct manifestations of God’s presence as were granted to the prophets. It was the Lord’s purpose to reveal Himself in an unexpected manner, that Eli might hear of it through the surprise and inquiry of the youth.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 582.

“The Scriptures state that before receiving this message from God, ‘Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.’ He was not destitute of a knowledge of God, nor was he a stranger to the influence of divine grace; but he was not acquainted with such direct manifestations of His presence, as were granted to the prophets. It was the Lord’s purpose, however, to reveal Himself in an unexpected manner, that Eli might hear of it through the surprise and inquiry of the youth.

“Samuel had not been ignorant of the wicked course pursued by the sons of Eli, but he was filled with fear and amazement that the Lord should commit to him so terrible a message. He arose in the morning and went about his duties as usual, but with a heavy burden on his young heart. How earnestly did he long for the sympathy and counsel of his parents in that trying hour! The Lord had not commanded him to reveal the fearful denunciation to the priest or to his sons; hence he remained silent, avoiding as far as possible the presence of Eli. He trembled, lest some question would compel him to declare the divine judgments against one whom he so loved and reverenced.” The Signs of the Times, December 15, 1881.