1 Samuel 3:1-10

The Lord Calls Samuel

1 f Now the young man Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. g And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.

2 At that time Eli, h whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 3 i The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down j in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.

4 Then the Lord called 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 young man. 9 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.

10 And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant hears."

  1. Cross References
    1 Samuel 2:11
    Then Elkanah went home to Ramah. And the boy ministered to the Lord in the presence of Eli the priest.
    1 Samuel 2:18
    Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy clothed with a linen ephod.
  2. Cross References
    1 Samuel 3:21
    And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.
    Psalms 74:9
    We do not see our signs; there is no longer any prophet, and there is none among us who knows how long.
    Amos 8:11
    Behold, the days are coming," declares the Lord God, "when I will send a famine on the land - not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.
  3. Cross References
    1 Samuel 4:15
    Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes were set so that he could not see.
    Genesis 27:1
    When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, "My son"; and he answered, "Here I am.
    Genesis 48:10
    Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them.
    Deuteronomy 34:7
    Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated.
  4. Cross References
    Exodus 27:20 - 21
    You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn.
    Leviticus 24:2 - 3
    Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil from beaten olives for the lamp, that a light may be kept burning regularly.
    2 Chronicles 13:11
    They offer to the Lord every morning and every evening burnt offerings and incense of sweet spices, set out the showbread on the table of pure gold, and care for the golden lampstand that its lamps may burn every evening. For we keep the charge of the Lord our God, but you have forsaken him.
  5. Cross References
    1 Samuel 1:9
    After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.