1 Samuel 3:8

The Lord had called. When Samuel came to Eli the third time the aged priest perceived that it was God who spoke. That the Lord should pass him by to communicate with a mere youth might easily have created in his heart a spirit of professional jealousy. Remembering the message of the man of God in past years, however, Eli may have concluded that the message was for him and could have reasoned that the Lord should have revealed it to him directly. Eli’s honesty in dealing with Samuel under these conditions is greatly to be admired. Realizing, perhaps for the first time, that God was preparing another to fill his office, he felt no grudge, but on the contrary did his utmost to prepare Samuel for his important post by giving the lad the best counsel he had. Samuel was instructed to think of himself as the Lord’s servant, ready to hear His counsel and to do His bidding. What a lesson in Eli’s experience for those who are fearful lest they do not receive the honor their office demands, and lest the hands of other men replace theirs at the tasks required of that office.