1 Samuel 3:1-10

The LORD Calls Samuel

3¹ The child Samuel ministered to Yahweh before Eli. The word of Yahweh was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision. ² It happened 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 the lamp of God hadn’t yet gone out, and Samuel had laid down to sleep, in the temple of Yahweh, where the ark of God was; ⁴ that Yahweh called Samuel; and 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 the word of Yahweh 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. ⁹ Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, Yahweh; for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. ¹⁰ Yahweh came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”

Then Samuel said, “Speak; for your servant hears.”