1 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. |
2 And 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; |
3 And 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; |
4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. |
5 And 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. |
6 And 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. |
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. |
8 And 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. |
9 Therefore 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. |
10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. ... |
19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. |
20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. |
21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD. |