God Calls Samuel at Night

Eli was the priest of the worship place at Shiloh. Eli was very old and his eyes were becoming dim because of old age. During the days of Eli, God seldom appear to people in visions and dreams.

One night, Eli lay down to sleep. His assistant, Samuel also lay down to sleep.

Suddenly, God called out to Samuel, “Samuel!”

Samuel thought Eli called him so he said, “I am here.”

Eli said, “I didn’t call you. Go back to sleep.”

The Lord called Samuel again, “Samuel!”

Samuel arose from his bed and ran to Eli. He said to Eli, “I am here. What can I do for you?”

Samuel did not recognize the voice because God had never spoken to him before.

The Lord called Samuel for the third time, “Samuel!”

Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “I am here. What did you call me for?”

Eli realized that it was the Lord who was calling Samuel so he said to him, “When you hear someone call you again, say, ‘Lord, your servant is here. What can I do for you?’”

Samuel returned to his bed and lay down to sleep. God came and stood there. He called out to Samuel, “Samuel! Samuel!”

Samuel said, “Lord, I am here. What do you want me to do for you?”

God said to Samuel, “I am going to destroy the whole household of Eli. Eli’s sons have shown disrespect to the sacrifices and offerings people offered to me. I swear that the house of Eli will not serve as priest before me anymore. “

When Samuel woke up in the morning, he was afraid to tell Eli what God had told him.

Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, what did God tell you last night? I pray that you don’t hide anything from me or God will punish you terribly.” Samuel told Eli everything. Eli said, “He is God. Let him do what is right in his eyes.”

The presence of God was with Samuel as he grew up. Everyone in Israel recognized Samuel as God’s prophet. God always appeared to Samuel in visions and spoke to him.