1 Samuel 3:1-8 ▼

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

2 One day Eli, whose eyesight was failing, was lying in his room.

3 Before the lamp of God had gone out, Samuel was lying down in the tabernacle of the LORD, where the ark of God was located.

4 Then the LORD called Samuel, 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.