The Call of Samuel

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to Yahweh in the presence of Eli; it was rare for Yahweh to speak in those days; visions were uncommon.

One day, it happened that Eli was lying down in his room. His eyes were beginning to grow dim; he could no longer see. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying in the sanctuary of Yahweh where the ark of God was, when Yahweh called, "Samuel! Samuel!" he answered, "Here I am. " Then he ran to Eli and said,"Here I am since you called me." Eli said, "I did not call. Go back and lie down." So he went and lay down. Once again Yahweh called, "Samuel! Samuel!" Samuel got up and went to Eli and said,"Here I am since you called me", he replied," I did not call you my son; go back and lie down." Samuel had as yet no knowledge of Yahweh and the word of Yahweh had not yet been revealed to Him. Once again Yahweh called, the third time. He got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am since you called me". Eli then understood that it was Yahweh that was calling the boy and he said to Samuel," Go and lie down, and if someone calls say,"Speak Yahweh, your servant is listening".