1 Samuel 2:11-3:21

1.     The Sons of Eli Ignored God’s Guidance (2:13-17)

a.     How worship/sacrifice was supposed to be handled

i.     Fat of the sacrifice was to be burned as an offering to the Lord. (Lev. 17, Num. 18)

ii.     Certain parts were allocated to the priests for food (Lev. 7, Deut. 18)

b.     How the sons of Eli handled it (Read 13-16)

i.     With greed and dissatisfaction

 ii.     With aggression

 iii.     With contempt

2.     Samuel Followed God’s Guidance (2:18-21)

a.     “was ministering before the Lord” vs 18

b.     “a boy clothed with a linen ephod” vs 18

3.     The Consequence of Rejecting God’s Guidance (2:22-36)

a.     Rebuke (vs 22-26)

b.     Rejection (vs 27-36)

4.     Samuel Hears God’s Guidance (3:1-14)

a.      “the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.” vs 1

b.     “Samuel was ministering to the LORD.” vs 1

c.      “Then the Lord called to Samuel…and he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’” vs 4-5a

d.     “But he said, ‘I did not call; lie down again.’ So he went and lay down.” vs 5

5.     Samuel Speaks of God’s Guidance (3:15-18)

a.     “Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli.” vs 15

b.     “Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him.” vs 18

6.     The Ways of God’s Guidance

a.     God Guides Through People

b.     God Guides Through His Spirit

c.      God Guides Through His Word

7.     The Result of God’s Guidance (3:19-21)

a.     Progress

b.     Productivity

c.      Purpose

i.     To Glorify God 

ii.     To Serve God 

d.     Presence

What’s Guiding You?