Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.
At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 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.
Then the LORD called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.
And the LORD called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” | 1 Samuel 3:1–10
Adam and Eve were the very first people God made – a man and a woman, just those two. After God made Adam and Eve, He used to talk to them. In the evening, when the sun was going down, He came to the garden to talk to them.
Many years later, God talked to a man named Abraham. Abraham was God’s friend.
God talked to Moses, too. God talked to Moses many times. Once, Moses was up on Mount Sinai with God for forty days. Moses did not even have to eat because God took care of Him while He talked to him.
The Bible also tells us how God talked to a little boy one night. This little boy lived in God’s tabernacle. His name was Samuel. Samuel helped Eli, the old priest, take care of God’s tabernacle. One night God talked to Samuel. Samuel was in bed. God called, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Samuel thought that Eli was calling him. He jumped out of bed and ran to Eli. But Eli said, “No, I did not call you.” Samuel went back to bed. God called Samuel again –“Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel thought, “It must be Eli calling me.” But when he ran to Eli, Eli said, “No, my son, I did not call you.” And Samuel went back to bed again.
But then he heard the Voice again – “Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel ran to Eli once more. This time Eli said, “Now I know who is calling you. It is the Lord! Go back to bed. And if you hear His voice again, you must say, ‘Speak, Lord, and I will listen.’” Samuel lay down once again. He could hardly believe that God would really talk to him. He was only a little boy. He lay very still. He listened. And then – then he heard the Voice again – “Samuel! Samuel!” And he said, “Speak, Lord. I will listen!”
God talked to Samuel that night. He told him things that were going to happen.
After that, God talked to Samuel many times. Samuel became one of the great prophets. He told people what God wanted them to do. God has talked to many others. They were His prophets too. God sent them to tell His word to His people.
Something to talk about:
- Can you name two men that God talked to?
- At what time of day did God call Samuel?
- Did Samuel see God?
- What did Samuel say to God?
Bible Memory:
Speak, Lord, for you servant hears. | I Samuel 3:9