1
Now the child Samuel ministered to the Lord before Heli, and the word of the Lord was precious in those days, there was no manifest vision.
2
And it came to pass one day when Heli lay in his place, and his eyes were grown dim, that he could not see:
3
Before the lamp of God went out, Samuel slept in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
4
And the Lord called Samuel. And he answered: Here am I.
5
And he ran to Heli, and said: Here am I: for thou didst call me. He said: I did not call: go back and sleep. And he went and slept.
6
And the Lord called Samuel again. And Samuel arose and went to Heli, and said: Here am I: for thou calledst me. He answered: I did not call thee, my son: return and sleep.
7
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither had the word of the Lord been revealed to him.
8
And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose up and went to Heli,
9
And said: Here am I: for thou didst call me. Then Heli understood that the Lord called the child, and he said to Samuel: Go, and sleep: and if he shall call thee any more, thou shalt say: Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went, and slept in his place.
10
And the Lord came, and stood, and he called, as he had called the other times, Samuel, Samuel. And Samuel said: Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.