1. The boy Samuel served the Lord in Eli’s presence. In those days the word of the Lord was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread.
2. One day Eli, whose eyesight was failing, was lying in his room.
3. Before the lamp of God had gone out, Samuel was lying down in the tabernacle of the Lord, where the ark of God was located.
4. Then the Lord called Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.”
5. He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”“I didn’t call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
6. Once again the Lord called, “Samuel! ”Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; you called me.”“I didn’t call, my son,” he replied. “Go back and lie down.”
7. Now Samuel had not yet experienced the Lord, because the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.