Daily Bible Devotion - 1. Samuel 3:1-21
A JOURNEY THROUGH 1 AND 2 SAMUEL
09. November 2026
Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi
Theme: ONE MEMBER, ONE SOUL
Subtheme: MONTH OF ANSWERED PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVING
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-21
Please take your time to read this devotion and underline the Bible verses in your Bible as you go along. Allow about 30 minutes to read the devotion and Scriptures thoughtfully, reflecting on what God is teaching you through His Word.
INTRODUCTION
Hello, Church!
Welcome to our new month, the month of Answered Prayers and Thanksgiving!
I believe this month will bring testimonies of answered prayers as every member takes responsibility for winning one soul and discipling that person. Our theme, One Member, One Soul, is a call to action: every believer must become intentional about reaching someone for Christ and helping that person grow in the faith.
As we pursue this vision, we recognize that the harvest of souls is a result of God’s grace and answered prayers. Therefore, we must approach this assignment with prayer, faith, and thanksgiving to the Most High God.
In 1 Samuel chapter 3, we encounter the calling of Samuel, a young boy whom God raised during a time when His Word was rare. This chapter teaches us about hearing God’s voice, spiritual mentorship, obedience, faithfulness, and the process of becoming established in God’s purpose.
1. THE WORD OF THE LORD MUST BE VALUED IN EVERY GENERATION
1 Samuel 3:1 (NKJV)
“Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.”
Think about this: in Samuel’s days, the Word of the Lord was rare, and there was no widespread revelation.
But look at our generation. We have so much access to the Word of God. We have churches, preachers, sermons, Bible studies, and many platforms through which the Word is communicated.
Unfortunately, sometimes where the Word of God is abundant, people fail to take it seriously.
Jesus Himself warned about people who witnessed His mighty works but refused to repent.
Matthew 11:21–24 (NKJV)
“21 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22 But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”
Church, the more revelation we receive, the greater our responsibility to respond to God’s Word.
We must never become so familiar with the Word that we lose our reverence for it.
Whenever God gives us a church where His Word is faithfully taught and revelation is available, we must protect that privilege with our lives, prayers, and financial obligations. Let us support the work of God so that churches can continue to run, men and women of God can continue to minister, and preachers can faithfully communicate His Word.
Under our theme, One Member, One Soul, we must also understand that the Word we receive is not meant to remain with us. We must take it to others, win souls, and disciple them.
2. GOD IS STILL CALLING PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE YOUNG
1 Samuel 3:4 (NKJV)
“Then the LORD called Samuel. And he answered, ‘Here I am!’”
God called Samuel while he was still young. He was not yet an established prophet; he was a boy serving in the house of the Lord. Yet God chose to reveal Himself to him.
God’s calling is not restricted by age, background, experience, or position. He is still raising men and women who will carry His purposes in their generation.
As a Church, we must never underestimate what God can do through a young person who is willing to hear and obey Him.
Our responsibility is not simply to gather young people into church. We must disciple them, teach them the Word, develop their spiritual sensitivity, and prepare them to serve God’s purposes.
Every believer can become a vessel through whom another person encounters Jesus Christ.
3. WE MUST LEARN TO RECOGNIZE THE VOICE OF GOD
1 Samuel 3:2–7
The Bible describes Eli lying down in his place, with his eyesight growing dim. The lamp of God had not yet gone out in the tabernacle of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was lying down.
It was in this setting that the Lord called Samuel.
Samuel heard the voice but thought Eli was calling him. Three times he ran to Eli before Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy.
Now, look at verse 7.
1 Samuel 3:7 (NKJV)
“Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.”
Church, Samuel was in the house of God. He was ministering before Eli and serving in the tabernacle, yet the Bible tells us that he did not yet know the Lord, nor had the Word of the Lord been revealed to him.
This is something we must think about seriously.
Could it be that there are people in our churches who attend services, serve, and participate in church activities but do not yet truly know the Lord?
Could there be people whom God has called but who have not yet come to the place of knowing Him personally?
It is possible to be surrounded by spiritual activities without having a personal relationship with God.
Today, I pray that God will open our eyes to know Him personally and that His Word will be revealed to us. Amen!
4. THE IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL MENTORSHIP AND SUBMISSION
1 Samuel 3:8–9
The third time Samuel went to Eli, something interesting happened. Although Eli’s household was facing God’s judgment, he still had the spiritual perception to recognize that the Lord was calling Samuel.
Eli understood what Samuel had not yet understood and gave him clear instructions.
1 Samuel 3:9 (NKJV)
“Therefore Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, “Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.”’”
Samuel needed someone who could guide him. He could not recognize what was happening without the instruction of someone with experience, even though he was the one God was preparing to use.
Before we go further, notice something important: Samuel did not have an independent spirit. He did not behave as though he had arrived simply because he had been brought into the temple and was serving there.
He continued to submit, learn, and grow.
Church, we must never allow the privilege of serving in God’s house to make us think we no longer need instruction, mentorship, or spiritual guidance.
God can raise someone for a great assignment, but that does not mean that person should reject the process of preparation. There is a place for spiritual fathers, mentors, and those who have walked the journey before us.
We must remain teachable.
5. THE COURAGE TO RECEIVE AND CARRY GOD’S WORD
1 Samuel 3:10–14
When Samuel responded according to Eli’s instruction, the Lord called him again.
1 Samuel 3:10 (NKJV)
“Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel answered, ‘Speak, for Your servant hears.’”
God began to reveal to Samuel what He was about to do against Eli’s household because of its iniquity.
This was not an easy message for a young boy to receive. God was revealing judgment against the household of the very man who had been raising him in the house of the Lord.
What should Samuel do? Should he keep quiet because Eli was his spiritual father? Should he hide the message because it concerned someone responsible for his upbringing?
This is a critical situation.
1 Samuel 3:13 (NKJV)
“For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them.”
Notice the reason for the judgment: Eli knew about the iniquity, his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them.
Church, this is a serious lesson for parents, spiritual leaders, and everyone entrusted with responsibility. Knowing about wrongdoing and refusing to address it is a serious failure.
We must not allow relationships, positions, or personal interests to prevent us from doing what is right before God.
Verse 14 continues:
1 Samuel 3:14 (NKJV)
“And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”
Let us understand the significance of this statement.
Under the Old Testament sacrificial system, sacrifices and offerings were part of God’s provision for dealing with sin. But here, God declared that the iniquity of Eli’s house would not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.
At this point in the biblical story, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, had not yet come to offer Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice for sin.
Hebrews 10:4 (NKJV)
“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.”
Hebrews 10:10 reminds us that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Church, let us give God praise for what He has done for us through Jesus Christ! We have Jesus Christ, the perfect sacrifice. What a reason to give thanks in this month of Answered Prayers and Thanksgiving!
6. SAMUEL’S FAITHFULNESS IN DELIVERING THE MESSAGE
1 Samuel 3:15–18
After receiving the message, Samuel lay down until morning. Then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord.
The Bible tells us that he was afraid to tell Eli the vision. Eli called Samuel and asked him what the Lord had spoken. Although Samuel was hesitant, Eli insisted that he tell him everything.
1 Samuel 3:18 (NKJV)
“Then Samuel told him everything, and hid nothing from him. And he said, ‘It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him.’”
Samuel told Eli everything. He hid nothing.
Church, when God entrusts us with His Word, we must not manipulate the message to please people or avoid difficult truths. We must remain faithful to communicate what God has spoken.
Now, let us consider Eli’s response.
He said, “It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him.”
Some may interpret this as Eli giving reverence to God and submitting to His will. However, I have a somewhat different reflection, and I believe this can be a point of discussion.
I wonder whether Eli could have responded by asking for forgiveness, demonstrating repentance, or taking further action concerning the sins in his household.
The Bible does not tell us everything Eli may have done privately. But in the response recorded here, we see no further action to correct what had happened.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that the Lord was sovereign and that His will would stand.
Church, may we never become so comfortable with wrongdoing that we simply accept the consequences without seeking repentance and God’s mercy. When God corrects us, let us humble ourselves, repent, and make things right.
7. GOD ESTABLISHES THOSE WHO REMAIN FAITHFUL
1 Samuel 3:19–20 (NKJV)
“So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.”
What a powerful testimony!
May the Lord let none of your words fall to the ground! May none of our leaders’ words fall to the ground. May none of our YCLs’ voices fall to the ground.
Your words should produce fruit. Your ministry should produce fruit. Your leadership should produce fruit.
We pray that this will become our portion: that as we speak according to God’s Word, our words will accomplish the purposes for which God has sent them.
Now look at verse 20.
1 Samuel 3:20 (NKJV)
“And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the LORD.”
Did you see that? Samuel became known throughout Israel as an established prophet of the Lord.
But look at the process!
First, he was a boy serving in the house of God. Then he heard God’s voice, received guidance, submitted to instruction, received God’s message, and delivered it faithfully, even when it was difficult. As he continued to grow, the Lord was with him.
Today, many people do not want to go through any process. They want to arrive overnight. They want recognition without preparation, influence without faithfulness, and platforms without growth.
But look at Samuel! There was a process, and God established him.
Church, do not despise the process. Remain faithful where God has placed you. Continue learning, serving, and growing. Your season of preparation is not wasted.
8. GOD CONTINUES TO REVEAL HIMSELF TO THOSE WHO ARE AVAILABLE
1 Samuel 3:21 (NKJV)
“Then the LORD appeared again in Shiloh. For the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.”
Look at that! The Lord revealed Himself to Samuel by the Word of the Lord.
What a blessing!
I pray that this shall be your portion. May the Lord reveal Himself to you through His Word. May your relationship with Him grow deeper, and may you become more sensitive to His voice.
As we pursue the vision of One Member, One Soul, we need more than programs and activities. We need God’s presence, His Word, and His direction.
We need believers who know the Lord personally and who can help others grow in their knowledge of Him.
This is how we win souls and make disciples. We do not simply bring people into a building; we lead them into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Ciao. Shalom, shalom!
If this devotion has blessed you, please share it, and let’s make Jesus famous!
Shalom
Rev J. Antwi
Author: Rev. Joseph Antwi
Rev. Joseph Antwi is the District Pastor of the Basel City Churches District. He is passionate about teaching God’s Word, raising young disciples, and empowering believers to live purposefully and impact their generation through Christ.
Out now!
Rev. Joseph Antwi has released his first book called; "How to know if he or she is the right one" in which he dives into seven biblical keys to a succesfull relationship.
@revjosephantwi
+41 79 663 63 24
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What a Devotion Wowwww!
Such a deep and well explained insight on 1 Samuel 3! I love itttt
Thank you Pastor❤️