Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of I Samuel Chapter 3
Metaphysically Interpreting I Samuel 3:1-21
3:1And the child Samuel ministered unto Jehovah before Eli. And the word of Jehovah was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision.
3:2And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to wax dim, so that he could not see), 3:3and the lamp of God was not yet gone out, and Samuel was laid down to sleep, in the temple of Jehovah, where the ark of God was; 3:4that Jehovah called Samuel; and he said, Here am I. 3:5And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. 3:6And Jehovah called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. 3:7Now Samuel did not yet know Jehovah, neither was the word of Jehovah yet revealed unto him. 3:8And Jehovah called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And Eli perceived that Jehovah had called the child. 3:9Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Jehovah; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
3:10And Jehovah came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel said, Speak; for thy servant heareth. 3:11And Jehovah said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. 3:12In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from the beginning even unto the end. 3:13For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever, for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons did bring a curse upon themselves, and he restrained them not. 3:14And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be expiated with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
3:15And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of Jehovah. And Samuel feared to show Eli the vision. 3:16Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he said, Here am I. 3:17And he said, What is the thing that Jehovah hath spoken unto thee? I pray thee, hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide anything from me of all the things that he spake unto thee. 3:18And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is Jehovah: let him do what seemeth him good.
3:19And Samuel grew, and Jehovah was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. 3:20And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of Jehovah. 3:21And Jehovah appeared again in Shiloh; for Jehovah revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of Jehovah.
October 12, 1913: I Samuel 3:1-10
There are many voices in consciousness. The organism itself is a living register of thoughts and words, not only from the individual, but also from his environment. The cylinder of the phonograph is an illustration of the manner in which the sensitive thought-stuff in which we live and move and have our being receives impressions. The song we sang yesterday is registered, and through the power of memory we can recall it. A year hence it will be more difficult to recall, because many other songs have been registered right over the old song; but it is still there, and in the revolutions of thought that are constantly going on it may come to the surface at an unexpected time.
The endless flood of thoughts running through the mind is the whirling cylinder of soul-words in the phonograph of human consciousness. It is not strange then, that we are often confused by the many voices we hear in the inner ear. It very frequently happens that this great realm of registered sounds is broken through by the outer ego and voices are heard at intervals, or constantly. This experience is quite common; nearly all people have had it. When it becomes chronic, and the voices come unbidden, the confusion disturbs the even flow of thought, and the individual is considered “queer,” because he often seems in abstraction when addressed. When such a one complains about these voices within, he is told that it is all his “imagination.” This is the conclusion of ignorance. A wise one would advise listening for the Supreme Voice, thus silencing the lesser ones. Thus Eli told the boy Samuel, when he heard the Voice, to say, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.” Addressing the attention to the One Voice puts away the many, and brings order out of confusion.
Soul development often begins with this experience, and the doubts and fears of the untrained mind are an impediment to the Lord's work. When we know that there is One Supreme Mind always present, which may be called on and consciously reached by the most humble man in the universe, we have the key to the kingdom of God within.
The obedience of the little child is a necessary factor in dealing with spiritual things, because the mind must be open and receptive in order to see and hear the “still small voice” of spirit. When we have a revelation, we should not be afraid to speak it forth, although it rebukes the errors of respected institutions. Eli had grown lax in his office and had to be reached through the more alert mind of the youth Samuel. Cultivate the thought of youthfulness; lay hold of the Absolute perfection and the Lord God Almighty will speak to you in the Inner Life.
– UNITY magazine.
February 17, 1918: I Samuel 3:1-10
What is the “Inner Voice”? The “Inner Voice” is the impression of the ideas of the Supreme Mind, converted by the receptive consciousness into thoughts or words.
How does man first make connection with Jehovah? Man first makes connection with Jehovah through building up a consciousness of Divine ideas. This is accomplished through thought, prayer, meditation and realization.
What are the essentials necessary in order that one may hear the “Inner Voice”? Receptivity to Spirit, obedience, fearlessness and candor are essentials necessary to invite communion with the “Inner Voice.”
What in consciousness does the “child Samuel” symbolize? The “child Samuel” symbolizes the innocence and trust established in the consciousness of one born of the Spirit.
What relation does “Eli” bear to consciousness? “Eli” was “judge of Israel for forty years preceding Samuel,” but he had grown indifferent to Jehovah, and had to make connection again with Jehovah through the “child Samuel.” Man must put away “Eli,” or the indifferent state of mind toward spiritual inspiration, before he can enter the kingdom of God.
What is the mental condition necessary to invite continual inflow of spiritual inspiration? The mind must be poised in spiritual understanding, and centered in the One Supreme Mind. As man looks within for inspiration and guidance, he will come to depend upon the one unfailing Source for hit satisfaction.
Sunday, May 2, 1920: I Samuel 3:1-13,19-20
What is the meaning of Samuel? What is the meaning of Eli? Samuel means “asked of God,” or “inner voice.” Eli means “lofty,” or “high priest.”
Define, “And the word of Jehovah was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision.” As there is no sound unless there is an ear to hear, so in soul unfoldment as at this historical time, there were no frequent messages from the Lord, because there were so few in spiritual thought who could receive them. Everything first takes place in the invisible thought realm. The Higher Power is always revealing to man (the offspring of the Almighty), through the inner voice or in dreams and visions, just what is taking place at the outworking of the Law. But where the faculties are not quickened enough to lay hold of these messages, to appearances there is no vision, no message from the Lord.
Explain, “Now Samuel did not yet know Jehovah.” Samuel, symbolizing “inner voice,” is always in close touch with religious thoughts. He did not yet know the Lord in the sense that he had not yet received direct communication from him. Therefore, when the voice of the Lord called, “Samuel,” he mistook it for the voice of Eli, “loftiness,” or the highest religious power Samuel had yet known.
Explain, “And Jehovah came, and stood.” The meaning is that the Lord was not only audible to Samuel (inner voice), but that his presence also became visible and tangible.
What was the message the Lord revealed through Samuel at this time? The message was that Eli, the high priest, was to be judged, not only for his own iniquity, but also for permitting his sons (offsprings of lofty thoughts) to work contrary to the Law, thus proving that every “jot” and “tittle” must measure up to the Divine Standard.
What was the effect on the people (thoughts) of Samuel's hearing the voice of the Lord? “All Israel from Dan {judge} even to Beer-sheba {well of oath} knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of Jehovah.”
Abide with me, the dawn of day is here;
Darkness has vanished, light is shining clear;
Truth's glorious message makes the glad earth free;
O holy Comforter abide with me.
I need thy presence, satisfying pure;
All else is changing, thou alone art sure,
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through joy eternal, Lord abide with me.
I am open to the spiritual vision, and I hear and heed the Supreme Voice.
Through the light of Spirit I read from the Law, and I discern the Divine Standard which is being established.
Not my will, but Thine be done; I am the Lord's willing agent in the process of the outworking of his wondrous plan.
Hold thou thy truth before my wond'ring sight,
Shine in my soul, fill me with life and light,
Heavens morning breaks, its glory now I see;
Thou in rich blessing dost abide in me. – “Gospel Hymns.”
December 12, 1926: I Samuel 3:1-10
What is the meaning of “Samuel”? What is the meaning of “Eli”? Samuel means “asked of God,” or “inner voice.” Eli means “lofty,” or “high priest.”
Define: “And the word of Jehovah was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision.” There is no sound unless there is an ear to hear; the same principle is true of soul unfoldment. In the time of which our lesson treats, there were no frequent messages from the Lord, because there were few persons with sufficient spiritual understanding to receive them. Everything first takes place in the invisible thought realm. The higher power is always revealing to man (the offspring of the Almighty), through the inner voice or in dreams and visions, just what is taking place as the outworking of the law. But the persons whose faculties are not quickened enough to lay hold of these messages fail to see the vision, the message from the Lord.
Explain: “Now Samuel did not yet know Jehovah.” The inner voice (Samuel) is always in close touch with religious thoughts. Samuel did not yet know the Lord in the sense that he had not yet received direct communication from him. Therefore when the voice of the Lord called, “Samuel,” he mistook it for the voice of Eli (loftiness, or the highest religious power that the inner voice had yet known).
Explain: “And Jehovah came, and stood.” The meaning of this passage is not only that the voice of the Lord was audible to Samuel (inner voice), but also that his presence became visible and tangible.
December 12, 1926: I Samuel 3:15-19
What is the dominant thought in today’s lesson? The dominant thought brought out in this lesson is how to get in conscious touch with the higher self, the Jehovah mind. The soul develops spiritually by giving attention or listening to the promptings of the inner man. Samuel represents one in the beginning of soul unioldment. One in this stage of unfoldment often seems to hear strange voices, when awaking from sleep; the vibrations from within impinge upon the ear, and the mind, according to its custom, interprets their source as being in the outer. The mind learns finally that the higher self, the Son of God within, is speaking.
August 20, 1933: I Samuel 3:1-10
What is symbolized by the word Eli? The word Eli means “exaltation,” “supreme,” “Most High, my God.” Eli symbolizes a high religious state of consciousness of a priestly character.
What is symbolized by the word Samuel? Samuel means “sublimity of God”, “God hath heard.” The boy Samuel symbolizes the inner voice of the soul, 'that wisdom and judgment which comes often as a still small voice at the heart center.
Where does man first become conscious of the activity of the Spirit of God? It is deep within the stillness of the silence that man's ears first become attuned to the activity of God-Mind. “And Samuel was laid down to sleep in the temple of Jehovah.”
What is the meaning of the statement that Eli's eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he-could not see? Eli represents the intellectual perception of Truth which becomes crystallized in forms and ceremonies, and finally degenerates into ecclesiasticism.
What is meant by “Now Samuel did not yet know Jehovah”? Samuel represents the I AM identity in the subconscious mind which has not yet been quickened, but which is gradually making contact with Eli, the intelligent perception of Spirit.
How do we become conscious of spiritual intelligence in the subconscious mind? First we make ourselves attentive, and then we earnestly expect response. “Speak; for thy servant heareth.”
Samuel superseded Eli as high priest. Why? Samuel found the kingdom of God within himself. This discovery was o
ne step in advance of the intellectual conception of God represented by Eli.August 28, 1938: I Samuel 3:11-14
What form of restraint does a parent rightly place upon his children? Until they are mature enough to know good from evil, constructive from negative, the parent restrains them by instruction, admonition, and example. During the whole period of parenthood his chief influence over his children should be exercised through the habit of holding them in his thought as spiritual beings and therefore perfect.
Could Eli have prevented his sons from bringing a curse upon themselves? He could have trained them in childhood to turn towards the spiritual instead of the material, and could have helped them to express their true nature by seeing them always as divine. Instead of this he merely admonished them and saw their wrongdoing.
How could Samuel, a child without knowledge of Jehovah or the divine law, discern that the misconduct of Hophni and Phinehas would cause the downfall of the house of Eli? Samuel was so quickened by his mother's earnest prayers and her seeking to know God that he had the faculty of spiritual hearing even before he had been trained outwardly in the priestly duties. The abuses to which Eli's sons subjected the people no doubt caused much comment and dissatisfaction. Though Samuel was too young to take conscious part in the discussion, he was sensitive to the thought atmosphere, and thus became a good subject for the reception of the judgment pronounced by Jehovah.
The temple of Jehovah represents the body of man. What is the duty of a priest in the temple? The priest in the temple signifies man's natural religious tendencies. The priest's duties are to minister to Jehovah in the temple, to keep everything connected with the worship of God there inviolate. Man's duty to his body is of an analogous kind.
August 20, 1944: I Samuel 3:19-21
In scriptural symbology what is a prophet? A prophet is a thought that is in contact with Spirit and that receives revelations direct from the Holy Spirit.
Why was Jehovah with Samuel from childhood onward? Because, being dedicated to God from the beginning, Samuel kept the faith and retained consciousness of God throughout his entire life. No one can be conscious of God without God’s being with him. “Thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee.”
What qualities early set Samuel apart as a recognized leader in spiritual matters? His sincerity, earnestness, zeal, and love of Truth were outstanding, so that his authority in spiritual matters was soon recognized and acknowledged.
How do we identify ourselves with the realm of spiritual power? By holding fast to Truth and establishing it as the dominant factor in our life.
What does the name Shiloh mean, and why did Jehovah reveal Himself to Samuel there “by the word of Jehovah”? Shiloh means “peace,” “quiet,” “prince of peace,” “Saviour.” To become conscious of the mind of Christ or the Christ presence brings abiding peace, health, and good. The “word of Jehovah” is the creative principled of Being, the Christ. This word came to Samuel and enabled him to do his untiring service to Israel.
July 27, 1952: I Samuel 3:1
What is the meaning of the name Eli, and how was Samuel influenced by Eli? Eli means “Most High,” and represents the intellect under spiritual discipline. Samuel “ministered unto Jehovah before Eli,” before he knew the meaning of Jehovah. Spiritual discipline powerfully affects the intellect, and Samuel had vision, a gift that characterizes the individual who is steadfast to Truth.
July 27, 1952: I Samuel 3:16-21
How can we have the “word of Jehovah” come to us? It comes to us as we hold God in our thought and in our prayer life as well as in our daily undertakings. As Truth is revealed to us we are to pass it on to others in word or deed; it is meant for sharing. “Jehovah revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of Jehovah. And the word of Samuel came to all Israel.”
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 01-31-2014
