1 Samuel 3

While he was still a boy, Samuel was serving God while Eli supervised him. At that time there were very few messages that anyone received from God, and very few people saw visions that God gave them.

By that time Eli's eyes were very weak; he was almost blind. One night he was sleeping in his room,

and Samuel was sleeping in the temple of God where the sacred chest was kept. There was a lamp there that represented the presence of God, and it was still burning.

Just then God called, "Samuel! Samuel!" Samuel replied, "I am here!"

Then he got up and ran to Eli. He said to him, "I am here, because you called me!" But Eli replied, "No, I did not call you. Go back to your bed." So Samuel went and lay down again.

Then God called again, "Samuel!" So Samuel got up again and went to Eli and said, "I am here, because you called me!" But Eli said, "No, my son, I did not call you. Go back and lie down."

At that time Samuel had not yet known what it was like for God to speak to him because God had not previously revealed anything to him.

After Samuel lay down again, God called him a third time. So again Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "I am here, because you called me!" Then Eli realized that it was God who was calling the boy.

So he said to Samuel, "Go and lie down again. If someone calls you again, say 'Speak to me, God, your servant is listening!'" So Samuel went and lay down again.

Then God came and stood and called as he had done the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, your servant is listening!"

Then God said to Samuel, "Listen carefully. I am about to do something here in Israel that will shock everyone who hears about it.

When that happens, I will punish Eli and his family. I will do to them everything that I said that I would do.

His sons have shown great disrespect for me by the disgraceful things they have done, and Eli did not keep them from doing those things. So I told him that I would punish his family forever.

I solemnly promised to Eli's family, 'You will never be able to avoid the consequences for your sin, even if you give me sacrifices or offerings.'"

Samuel lay down again until morning. Then he got up and opened the doors of the building as usual. He was afraid to tell Eli about the vision that God had given him.

But Eli called him and said, "Samuel, my son!" Samuel answered, "I am here!"

Eli asked him, "What was it that God told you? Do not conceal it! I want God to punish you severely if you do not tell me everything that he said to you."

So Samuel told him everything. He did not refuse to tell him anything. Then Eli said, "He is God. I am willing for him to do what he thinks is best."

As Samuel grew up, God helped him; he made everything that Samuel predicted to come true.

So all the people of Israel, from the northern end of the country to the southern end, realized that Samuel was truly a prophet of God.

God continued to appear to Samuel in Shiloh and give messages to him.