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, wose eyes were beginning 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 temple 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 backand lie down." So he went ad 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
The LORD called Samuel a third time, 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.
10
The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the othe times, "Samuel! Samuel!"
Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
11
And the LORD said to Samuel:
"See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone
who hears of it tingle.
12
At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family -
from beginning to end.
13
For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin
he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain
them.
14
Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, 'The guilt of Eli's house will never be atoned
for by sacrifice or offering.' "
15
Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house
of the LORD. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision,
16
but Eli called him and said, "Samuel, my son." Samuel answered, "Here I am."
17
"What was it he said to you?" Eli asked. "Do not hide it from me.
May God deal with you, be it ever so severely if you hide from me
anything he told you."
18
So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him.
Then Eli said, "He is the LORD; let him do what is good in his eyes."
19
The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up,
and he let none of his words fall to the ground.
20
And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested
as a prophet of the LORD.
21
The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh,
and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.
