God Calls Samuel
Young Samuel hears God calling his name in the night. With Eli's guidance, he learns to respond, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.'
1 Samuel 3:1-21
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The Story
The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. Eli, whose eyes were becoming weak, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
Then the Lord called Samuel. 'Here I am,' Samuel answered, and he ran to Eli. 'Here I am; you called me.'
'I did not call,' Eli said. 'Go back and lie down.'
The Lord called again, 'Samuel!' And Samuel got up and went to Eli. 'Here I am; you called me.'
'My son,' Eli said, 'I did not call. Go back and lie down.'
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord; the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
A third time the Lord called, 'Samuel!' And again Samuel went to Eli. 'Here I am; you called me.'
Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, 'Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."'
Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!'
Then Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant is listening.'
The Lord told Samuel difficult news—that He was about to judge Eli's family because of the sins of Eli's sons, which Eli knew about but failed to restrain.
Samuel lay down until morning, then opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision. But Eli called him. 'What was it he said to you? Do not hide it from me.'
So Samuel told him everything. Eli said, 'He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.'
The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel's words fall to the ground. All Israel recognized that Samuel was a prophet of the Lord.
Samuel Hears God
Kids Version
Samuel lived in God's house, helping the old priest Eli. One night, Samuel was lying in his bed. The lamp was still burning softly.
'Samuel!'
Samuel sat up. Someone was calling his name! He ran to Eli's room.
'Here I am! You called me!'
Eli rubbed his eyes. 'I didn't call you. Go back to bed.'
Samuel went back and lay down.
'Samuel!'
Again Samuel ran to Eli. 'Here I am! You called me!'
'I didn't call you, my son. Go back to bed.'
Samuel went back. He was confused. Who was calling?
'Samuel!'
A third time, Samuel ran to Eli. 'Here I am!'
Now Eli understood. It wasn't him calling—it was GOD! Eli told Samuel, 'Go lie down. If you hear the voice again, say: "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."'
Samuel went back to bed. His heart was probably beating fast!
'Samuel! Samuel!'
This time Samuel knew what to say. 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.'
God spoke to Samuel that night. He told Samuel important things—hard things about what would happen to Eli's family.
In the morning, Samuel was scared to tell Eli. But Eli asked, and Samuel told him everything.
From that night on, Samuel listened for God's voice. He grew up to be a great prophet. Everyone in Israel knew that God spoke through Samuel.
God still speaks to us today—through the Bible, through prayer, through people who love Him. The important thing is to listen and say, 'Speak, Lord, I'm listening!'
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Scripture — 1 Samuel 3:1-21 (KJV)
1And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
2And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
3And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
4That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
5And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
6And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. Now: or, Thus did Samuel before he knew the LORD, and before the word of the LORD was revealed unto him
8And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
9Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
11And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
12In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. when: Heb. beginning and ending
13For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. For I: or, And I will tell him vile: or, accursed restrained: Heb. frowned not upon them
14And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
15And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
16Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
17And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. more also: Hebr. so add any thing: or, word
18And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good. every: Heb. all the things, or, words
19And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
20And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. established: or, faithful
21And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
Memory Verse
“And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.”
— 1 Samuel 3:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “God Calls Samuel” in the Bible?
Young Samuel hears God calling his name in the night. With Eli's guidance, he learns to respond, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.' This story is found in 1 Samuel 3:1-21.
Where is “God Calls Samuel” found in the Bible?
“God Calls Samuel” is found in 1 Samuel 3:1-21, in the book of 1 Samuel.
What can children learn from “God Calls Samuel”?
This story teaches children about Hearing God's voice, Obedience, Calling. One night, young Samuel heard someone calling his name. He thought it was Eli, but it was God! Samuel learned to answer, 'Speak, Lord, I'm listening!'