1 Samuel 3

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

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

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

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

⁵He 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.

⁶The LORD 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.”

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

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

⁹Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down. It shall be, if he calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD; for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

¹⁰The LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak; for your servant hears.”

¹¹The LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I will do a thing in Israel at which both the ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.

¹²In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from the beginning even to the end.