1 Samuel 3:1-10

1The boy Samuel continued to serve the Lord. Eli the priest taught him what to do. In those days, the Lord did not often give his messages to people. He did not often show things to them in visions.

2Eli's eyes had become weak. He could not see very well. One night, he was sleeping in his usual place.

3The lamp of God was still burning. Samuel was lying down to sleep near the Covenant Box in the Lord's house.

4Then the Lord called out to Samuel. Samuel answered, ‘Here I am.’

5Samuel ran to Eli and he said, ‘You called my name. Here I am.’ But Eli said, ‘I did not call your name. Go back and lie down again.’ So Samuel went and he lay down again.

6Again the Lord called out, ‘Samuel’. So Samuel went to Eli and he said, ‘You called my name. Here I am.’ Eli answered, ‘My son, I did not call your name. Go back and lie down again.’

7Samuel did not know the Lord yet. The Lord had not spoken to him before.

8Then the Lord called Samuel's name for the third time. Samuel got up again. He went to Eli and he said, ‘You called my name. Here I am.’ Then Eli realized that it was the Lord who was calling the boy's name.

9So Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go back and lie down again. If he calls your name again, you must say, “Speak, Lord. I am your servant and I am listening.” ’ So Samuel went back and he lay down in his place.

10The Lord came and he stood near to Samuel. He called Samuel's name again, as he had done before. He said, ‘Samuel, Samuel’. Samuel said, ‘Speak. I am your servant and I am listening.’