God Speaks... Finally

I Samuel 3:10 And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” 11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 

At the end of Judges we are left with everyone doing what was right in their own eyes and God not saying much, so that in Ruth we find no mention of Him saying anything at all.  I Samuel begins with Him speaking through a man of God, foretelling the birth of Samuel.  Here, we have record of God finally speaking to Samuel.  His voice was so unrecognized He had to speak three times before Eli realized it was Him.  Eli finally realizes what is going on and Samuel gets his first lesson in hearing God speak.  It's not the best of news for Eli, as now that God is speaking He is also going to be cleaning house, beginning with Eli's sons.  But God is speaking, and we need to hear Him.