The LORD calls Samuel in the night, and Samuel, at first thinking it is Eli, finally answers, Speak; for thy servant heareth. God tells him that judgment is coming on Eli's house, and Samuel becomes known as a prophet.
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 .
11 And 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 .
12 In 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 .
13 For 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.
14 And 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 .
15 And Samuel lay until the morning , and opened the doors of the house of the LORD . And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision .
16 Then Eli called Samuel , and said , Samuel , my son . And he answered , Here am I.
17 And 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.
18 And Samuel told him every whit , and hid nothing from him. And he said , It is the LORD : let him do what seemeth him good .
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 Beersheba 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 .