1 Samuel 3:1-8 ▼

1 The child Samuel ministered to Yahweh before Eli. Yahweh’s word was rare in those days. There were not many visions, then.

2 At that time, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see),

3 and God’s lamp hadn’t yet gone out, and Samuel had laid down in Yahweh’s temple where God’s ark was,

4 Yahweh called Samuel. He said, “Here I am.”

5 He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” He said, “I didn’t call. Lie down again.” He went and lay down.

6 Yahweh called yet again, “Samuel!” Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” He answered, “I didn’t call, my son. Lie down again.”

7 Now Samuel didn’t yet know Yahweh, neither was Yahweh’s word yet revealed to him.

8 Yahweh called Samuel again the third time. He arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” Eli perceived that Yahweh had called the child.