The LORD Calls Samuel

​1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.
2 One-night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see was lying down in his usual place.  3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the LORD, where the ark of God was.  4 Then the LORD called Samuel.
Samuel answered, “Here I am. ”  5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
6 Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”
7 Now Samuel did not yet know  the LORD: The word  of the LORD had not yet been revealed  to him.
8 A third time the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy.  9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place 1 Samuel 3:1-9