1. Now the child Samuel ministered to the Lord before Heli, and the word of the Lord was precious in those days, there was no manifest vision.
2. And it came to pass one day when Heli lay in his place, and his eyes were grown dim, that he could not see:
3. Before the lamp of God went out, Samuel slept in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
4. And the Lord called Samuel. And he answered: Here am I.
5. And he ran to Heli and said: Here am I: for thou didst call me. He said: I did not call: go back and sleep. And he went and slept.
6. And the Lord called Samuel again. And Samuel arose and went to Heli, and said: Here am I: for thou calledst me. He answered: I did not call thee, my son: return and sleep.
7. Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither had the word of the Lord been revealed to him.