We need specific instructions from the Lord Jesus in these evil and uncertain times.

1 Samuel 3:1, “And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” There was not a prophet in Israel, no open communication with God. Ryrie states “Apostasy and prophetic inactivity characterized the days of Eli.” Eli was the High Priest of Israel. He had allowed his sons to pervert the worship of God and bring the worship of Baal into the temple. Ellicott states “Hophni and Phinehas, the grown men prostituted the holy work to their own vile worldly ends.” Eli's failure, which brought God's judgment upon his house, was the gross neglect and inability to bring his sons under control. We are accountable to God and as such determine our own destiny.

1 Samuel 3:10, “And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.” Young Samuel ministered unto the Lord under the direction of Eli. Samuel's job was to insure that the lamp located just outside the veil stayed lite. The lamp burned from evening to morning. It was during this time that Samuel encountered God. Three times God called his name and three times Samuel went in to Eli to reply “Here I am.” The third time Eli, realizing that Samuel was hearing the voice of God, instructed him to answer, “Speak Lord for thy servant heareth.” Samuel followed Eli's instructions and God began to inform him of what was ahead for Israel, Eli and his sons.

1 Samuel 3:11, “And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. 12In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. 13For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.” Note: there was a time for repentance, 1 Sam. 2:27-36, but it was too late now. “ 14And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. 15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. 16Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. 17And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. 18And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.”

In chapter 4, Israel goes into battle against the Philistines. The battle does not go well for them. The Israelites sent for the Ark of the Covenant to be brought to the battle. All according to God's plan to bring Hophni and Phinehas to the battlefield. The Ark is captured, Eli's two sons are killed in battle. Eli, receiving the news of what had happened, fell backwards off his seat, broke his neck and died. Phinehas' wife, being with child, went into labor when she heard of her husband's death. She named the child Ichabod which means “the glory is departed from Israel.” God's warning was that He would cut off the house of Eli. 1 Sam. 2:31, “...there shall not be an old man in thine house.”

The death, devastation and destruction in Israel was because there was not a man who would hear the Word of the Lord. The glory was departed from Israel because there was not a man who would hear the Word of the Lord. The death, devastation and destruction in our world is because of man's failure to hear the Word of the Lord. 1 Samuel 7:3, we see the beginning of Samuel's revival ministry, “And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. 4Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only... 9And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.”