Chapter 3

God speaks to Samuel for the first time.  He tells him that the time has come for the punishment of Eli's house, and that no sacrifice or offering will EVER atone for all the evil that Eli's sons have done.  Unforgivable sin?  Blasphemy against the Spirit?  It would seem that Hophni and Phinehas have crossed a line and can never go back.  They have brought this curse on all their descendants forever.

21 And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD. [1Sa 3:21 ESV]

God had been silent for a long time.  It says earlier that His word was infrequent in those days.  But God establishes Samuel as a true prophet, and none doubt it in all the land.