Chapter 9: A Voice in the Dark

In those days, the word of the Lord was rare in Israel. There were no frequent visions, and the people had grown used to a God who no longer spoke.

One night, Samuel was lying down in the Tabernacle, in the room where the Ark of God was kept. Eli was asleep in his own place. His eyes were growing dim now, and he could no longer see well. The lamp of God, the sacred lampstand that burned continually before the Lord as a sign of His presence, had not yet gone out. And in the dark, a voice called Samuel's name.

THE LORD“Samuel.”— 1 Samuel 3:4

Samuel sat up and ran to Eli, certain the old priest had called him.

SAMUEL“Here I am, for you called me.”— 1 Samuel 3:5

But Eli said he had not called. He told the boy to lie down again. So Samuel went back to his place. And again, the voice came in the dark.

The same thing happened a second time, and then a third. Samuel did not yet know the Lord. On the third time, the old priest finally understood. The Lord was calling the boy.

ELI“Go, lie down, and if He calls you, you shall say, 'Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.'”— 1 Samuel 3:9

Samuel walked back to his place and lay down. And the voice came once more.

SAMUEL“Speak, for Your servant hears.”— 1 Samuel 3:10

The boy who had been born from a silent prayer had just answered the God who once heard that prayer.