Samuel Hears God

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!'