1 Samuel 3:1-10

1The 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.

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

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

4Then the Lord called Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.”

5He 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.

6Once 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.”

7Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, because the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

8Once 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.

9He 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.

10The Lord came, stood there, and called as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel responded, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”