1 Samuel 3:1-14 ▼

1 And the child Samuel ministered to the Lord before Heli the priest: and the word of the Lord was precious in those days, there was no distinct vision.

2 And it came to pass at that time that Heli was sleeping in his place; and his eyes began to fail, and could not see.

3 And the lamp of God was burning before it was trimmed, and Samuel slept in the temple, where was the ark of God.

4 And the Lord called, Samuel, Samuel; and he said, Behold, here am I.

5 And he ran to Heli, and said, Here am I, for thou didst call me: and he said, I did not call thee; return, go to sleep; and he returned and went to sleep.

6 And the Lord called again, Samuel, Samuel: and he went to Heli the second time, and said, Behold here am I, for thou didst call me: and he said, I called thee not; return, go to sleep.

7 And it was before Samuel knew the Lord, and before the word of the Lord was revealed to him.

8 And the Lord called Samuel again for the third time: and he arose and went to Heli, and said, Behold, I am here , for thou didst call me: and Heli perceived that the Lord had called the child.

9 And he said, Return, child, go to sleep; and it shall come to pass if he shall call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak for thy servant hears: and Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called him as before: and Samuel said, Speak, for thy servant hears.

11 And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I execute my words in Israel; whoever hears them, both his ears shall tingle.

12 In that day I will raise up against Heli all things that I have said against his house; I will begin, and I will make an end.

13 And I have told him that I will be avenged on his house perpetually for the iniquities of his sons, because his sons spoke evil against God, and he did not admonish them.

14 And it shall not go on so; I have sworn to the house of Eli, the iniquity of the house of Eli shall not be atoned for with incense or sacrifices for ever.