1
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.
2
At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place;
3
the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down within the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was.
4
Then the LORD called, "Samuel! Samuel!" and he said, "Here I am!"
5
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.
6
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."
7
Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
8
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.