1 Samuel 3:2-10

New International Version

² One night Eli, whose eyes^(A) were becoming so weak that he could barely see,^(B) was lying down in his usual place. ³ The lamp^(C) of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house^(D) of the Lord, where the ark^(E) of God was. ⁴ Then the Lord called Samuel.

Samuel answered, “Here I am.^(F)” ⁵ And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

⁶ Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”

⁷ Now Samuel did not yet know^(G) the Lord: The word^(H) of the Lord had not yet been revealed^(I) to him.

⁸ A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. ⁹ So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

¹⁰ The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!^(J)”

Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”