1 Samuel 3:15 So Samuel lay down until morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision.
The book were in this week, presents the personal history of Samuel who was the last of the Judges, raised by Eli the priest, and son of Hannah. This book takes us to the beginning of the period of the kings among the children of Israel. A time were God did not give any vision to His people. A time where there was not any type of school for prophets. That all changed with Samuel.
Samuel at this time in scripture was a young boy, being raised in the things of The Lord. He was first confused as to who was calling him, and secondly scared to speak the message God gave him to deliver to Eli. See Eli sons were not punished for the mischief they did, nor deprived of their power to do mischief, which as a father, a high priest, and a judge, Eli should have done. God's message to Samuel was about their punishment, for not representing The Lord as priest, and for taking more of their share of the offering than allowed. As for Eli, he would also be punished for honoring his sons above God. What was the punishment? God would slay Eli's sons, and break Eli's neck. Once word of the punishments got back to the people of Israel, it would be dreadful and amazing news.
What I love about this part of the book is, the confirmation that God does speak to us. It is not in a startling manner. It is in a way that is easy for us to understand. So, ask God to speak to you, and ask Him to help you discern His voice. Oswald Chambers says, if we get into the habit of saying, "speak Lord", then life will become a romance!
I also see clearly the problem that comes with being in obedience with God. When we hear from God it is our choice to act, or not to act. However, if we don't act in obedience to God, then we put a wedge between our souls and God.