1st Samuel 3:3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; 4 That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. 5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for you call me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
When young Samuel was being called by God to the prophetic ministry he was not at that level where he could distinguish God’s voice from the other voices in the world, hence the reason why he kept going to his mentor, Eli, every time God would try to reach him. The reason for this is that in many instances, it takes time for the mind to learn to identify, recognize and understand the still small voice of God.
Satan often tries to take advantage of our inexperience in these matters, and will try to muddy the waters as far as God’s voice is concerned. But none of us need to fear, because greater is He Who is in us, than he that is in the world. However, in our first passage we are instructed not to be ever so stubborn like the mule or the horse, so that God is not able to reach us through His providences.
In other words, an attitude of humility on our part, and a willingness to be led by God are indispensable factors when trying to understand God’s providence for if persons are proud and stiff-necked, they would run the risk of being misled by discordant voices in their minds, which they might erroneously conclude is the voice of God.
1st Samuel 3:6 And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!