1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 3:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Just as Samuel, as recorded in tradition, served in the tent of meeting and beheld the countenance of God in the Scriptures, he also listened to His voice. Similarly, those who excel in the study of doctrines and live virtuously continuously seek His presence, yearning with a sincere heart to behold Him who embodies the essence of the Father (Heb. 1:3) and represents the invisible God (2 Cor. 4:4); for whoever gazes upon Him sees the Father without delay (John 14:9).

Why did the Sovereign of all creation reveal Himself to Samuel, who was still quite young? This act was a reprimand for the elderly High Priest, directing the divine revelation to the youth. So young was Samuel that he was incapable of fully grasping God’s teachings. Therefore, after the third summons, Eli recognized that the voice calling out was God’s. Although he deemed it unnecessary to explicitly state this fact, he instructed Samuel: “If anyone calls you, you shall say: ‘Speak, my Lord, for your servant hears’” (1 Sam. 3:9). Yet, God showed a preference for this youthful innocence over the wisdom of age, choosing to communicate with the young boy rather than with Eli, who had lived ninety-eight years and held the distinction of High Priest and Judge for forty years.