1. Now the boy Samuel was in the service of Adonai under Eli. In those days the word of Adonai was rare—there were no visions breaking through.
2. One day, Eli was lying down in his place—now his eyes had grown dim so that he could not see,
3. and the lamp of God had not yet gone out. Samuel was lying down in Adonai’s Temple, where the ark of God was.
4. Then Adonai called, “Samuel!” So he answered, “Here I am.”
5. Then he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he replied, “I didn’t call—go back to sleep.” So he went back and lay down.
6. Then Adonai called Samuel yet again. So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he answered, “I didn’t call, my son—go back to sleep.”
7. Now Samuel had not experienced Adonai yet, since the word of Adonai had not yet been revealed to him.
8. Adonai called Samuel again for the third time. So he got up and went to Eli, and said “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that Adonai was calling the boy.