10. The Lord came. Since it was a new experience for young Samuel, the Lord graciously manifested His presence in some definite way not described in detail. Ere a word was spoken, both the old priest and his young assistant had ample proof of the presence of a supernatural power, and like children instructed by their parents, both were brought by the Holy Spirit to the place where they were willing to listen and obey. Such would not have been true had the word of the Lord come to such as Hophni For example, how different was the reception accorded the rebuke of God as it came to Saul on the one hand, and to David on the other Saul was full of criticism, alibis, and self-justification ( 15:16-31), but David, because of many years of surrender to the Lord, offered no alibi for his sin and sought only for a clean heart and a right spirit (2 Sam. 12:1-14; Ps. 51:10; 103:12).
The question may well be asked: Why did the Lord not speak to Eli directly? Eli seems to have been a sincere, humble man, one who desired peace and righteousness above all else. Why, therefore, bring Samuel into the case? But God no longer communicated with Eli and his sons (PP 581).