1 Samuel 3:1–9

Samuel’s Call

3 The boy Samuel served the Lord in Eli’s presence. x In those days the word of the Lord was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread. y

2 One day Eli, whose eyesight was failing, z was lying in his room. 3 Before the lamp of God had gone out, a Samuel was lying down in the tabernacle of the Lord, where the ark of God was located.

4 Then the Lord called Samuel, b and he answered, “Here I am.” 5 He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

“I didn’t call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

6 Once again the Lord called, “Samuel!”

Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

“I didn’t call, my son,” he replied. “Go back and lie down.”

7 Now Samuel had not yet experienced the Lord, because the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 Once again, for the third time, the Lord called Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 He told Samuel, “Go and lie down. If He calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.