Attitude Check: Are Our Prayers Selfish? (1 Sam 3.17)

“May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.”

1 Samuel 3.17

Background

In the last passage, we read of Samuel’s birth and his mother’s vow to dedicate him to God. When he was old enough, he went to live with the prophet Eli to serve at the temple. We also read that Eli’s sons were scoundrels, and not fit for the work at the temple.

At some point (we do not know when), a man comes to Eli with a message from God. He denounces Eli because of his wayward sons. Though Eli was faithful to God, he failed to rein in his sons. Because he allowed their behavior and allowed God’s temple to be sullied, God is going to cut off his family. In their place, God will choose another to lead Israel.

One night, as he lies in bed, the boy Samuel hears a voice calling him. Thinking it is Eli, he runs to the old man. Eli tells Samuel that he did not call him. Samuel returns to bed, but hears the voice again and runs to Samuel. When it happens a third time, Eli realizes that the voice might be God speaking. He tells Samuel that if he hears the voice again, he should respond, “Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.”

Samuel does so, and indeed it is God. He tells Samuel that He is about to do something stunning. Just as the messenger said to Eli, God will cut off the family of Eli because of the sons’ behavior and lack of courage from the father.

The next morning, Eli asks Samuel about the voice. We can understand why Samuel does not want to tell him. Eli insists and even offers a curse-prayer if Samuel does not tell him everything. When Samuel repeats the message, Eli responds with resignation: so be it, let God do what he will.

This is an interesting use of a curse-prayer. Usually, such requests are about someone who has already committed a wrong or to warn them about committing a wrong or breaking a command or tradition.