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1 Samuel 2:12-3:21

Speak, for Thy Servant Heareth

Lyrics · 1 Samuel

Speak, for Thy Servant Heareth

1 Samuel 2:12-3:21

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Speak, for Thy Servant Heareth

1 Samuel 2:12-3:21

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About this song

About this song

This song belongs to the 1 Samuel collection. One recording is available to play here, with the complete lyrics below.

Bible book
1 Samuel
Collection
1 Samuel
Musical styles
World Music
[Verse 1] Hophni and Phinehas stand as corrupt priests who do not know the LORD. The priests demand raw flesh before the fat is burned to God. Young Samuel ministers faithfully before the LORD wearing a linen ephod. Eli blesses Elkanah and Hannah, and The LORD gives them additional children. [Pre-Chorus] The word was rare until the silence broke, Then truth stood upright in the words God spoke. [Chorus] Speak, for Thy Servant Heareth, the word came like a flame, Kings could resist but could not silence the name. The prophet stood where fear had drawn the line, And heaven answered in appointed time. [Verse 2] A man of God confronts Eli with the privileges given to Aaron's house. The prophet accuses Eli of honoring his sons above God. The LORD declares that Eli's house will lose strength and endure lasting grief. Samuel ministers under Eli when divine revelation has become rare. [Bridge] The call comes again, but Samuel still does not recognize the voice. After the third call Eli perceives God is speaking and instructs Samuel. Samuel answers the fourth call and hears the final judgment on Eli's house. Samuel tells Eli the vision, grows as a confirmed prophet. [Final Chorus] Speak, for Thy Servant Heareth, the word came like a flame, Kings could resist but could not silence the name. The prophet stood where fear had drawn the line, And heaven answered in the final time. [Outro] The word went out and did not fall in vain. The prophet left the truth upon the plain.

Named in this songSamuelEphodEliHannahAaron

About the passage

1 Samuel 2: Hannah sings the reversals that the house of Eli will face

Hannah's prayer begins with her own deliverance and expands until it reaches broken bows, hungry people, lifted beggars, a coming king, and the LORD's thunder. The rest of the chapter then begins turning those reversals into household history at Shiloh. Hophni and Phinehas have office but do not know the LORD; Samuel is a child, yet he grows before him. The priests seize meat, abuse worshippers, and refuse correction, while Hannah quietly brings a little coat each year. Eli rebukes his sons but does not restrain them, and an unnamed man of God announces the consequence: the house that has made itself fat from offerings will someday beg for bread. The chapter does not let corruption occupy all of Shiloh. It places faithful service beside institutional failure until the contrast becomes impossible to ignore.

Study 1 Samuel 2 in depth

1 Samuel 3: The voice returns to Shiloh

The Book of 1 Samuel begins the chapter with a scarce word and ends with revelation restored at Shiloh. Samuel is already serving there, but he does not yet recognize the voice calling him in the night. Three times he runs to Eli, and the old priest eventually understands what the child does not. The guidance is genuine even though Eli's house is under judgment. Samuel's first message is therefore painfully close to home: the LORD confirms the sentence against the man who has just taught him how to listen. Morning brings doors to open, fear to carry, and a demand from Eli that nothing be hidden. Samuel tells him everything. From that private and difficult beginning, his reliability becomes public until all Israel recognizes him as a prophet.

Study 1 Samuel 3 in depth