1. The boy Samuel served the Lord under the direction of Eli. In those days the Lord didn't give many messages to his people. He didn't give them many visions.
2. One night Eli was lying down in his usual place. His eyes were becoming so weak he couldn't see very well.
3. Samuel was lying down in the Lord's house. That's where the ark of God was kept. The lamp of God was still burning.
4. The Lord called out to Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am."
5. He ran over to Eli. He said, "Here I am. You called out to me." But Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.
6. Again the Lord called out, "Samuel!" Samuel got up and went to Eli. He said, "Here I am. You called out to me." "My son," Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back and lie down."
7. Samuel didn't know the Lord yet. That's because the Lord still hadn't given him a message.
8. The Lord called out to Samuel for the third time. Samuel got up and went to Eli. He said, "Here I am. You called out to me." Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy.
9. So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down. If someone calls out to you again, say, 'Speak, Lord. I'm listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place.