1 Samuel 3:1-10

Speak, LORD, Your Servant Is Listening

Read the passage

1And the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. Now in those days the word of the LORD was rare, and visions were scarce.

2And at that time Eli, whose eyesight had grown so dim that he could not see, was lying in his room.

3Before the lamp of God had gone out, Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was located.

4Then the LORD called to Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.”

5He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” “I did not call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

6Once again the LORD called, “Samuel!” So Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” “My son, I did not call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.”

7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, because the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

8Once again, for the third time, the LORD called to Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” Then Eli realized that it was the LORD who was calling the boy.

9“Go and lie down,” he said to Samuel, “and if He calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

Berean Standard Bible

Read aloud

Samuel ministers to the LORD under Eli, and the word of the LORD is rare in those days. Visions are not widespread, and Eli's eyes have begun to grow so weak that he cannot see. The setting is spiritually quiet and physically dim when God calls Samuel.

Samuel is lying down in the LORD's temple, where the ark of God is. The LORD calls, “Samuel!” and Samuel answers, “Here I am.” He runs to Eli because he assumes the old priest has called him. Eli tells him that he did not call and sends him back to lie down. This happens again. The narrator explains that the word of the LORD has not yet been revealed to Samuel; he is receiving a call he has not learned to recognize.

On the third call Eli understands what is happening. He tells Samuel to go and lie down, and if the voice calls again, to answer, “Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.” Samuel returns to his place. The LORD comes and stands there, calling as before, and Samuel answers.

The passage gives us a young servant who is attentive before he is experienced. He needs an older person's help to interpret what he is hearing, and Eli—despite the judgment coming against his house—can still recognize the possibility that God is speaking.

Listening here is not a technique for making every private impression divine. It is Samuel's readiness to receive the LORD's word in a place where God's voice has been rare. The LORD takes the initiative, calling again while Samuel still misunderstands. Samuel’s willing response follows God’s patient approach to him.

Questions

1 What was unusual about the word of the LORD in those days?

AnswerThe word of the LORD was rare, and visions were scarce. God’s call to Samuel brings revelation into that setting.

2 Why did Samuel keep going to Eli?

AnswerSamuel thought Eli was calling him, because he had not yet recognized the LORD's voice.

3 What instruction did Eli give Samuel?

AnswerEli told him to answer, “Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening,” if the voice called again.

4 What did Samuel do when the LORD called the fourth time?

AnswerWhen the LORD came and stood there, calling “Samuel! Samuel!” he answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” He was ready to receive the message.

What This Means for Us

Samuel does not recognize God's voice by being more impressive than everyone around him. He learns through attention and through Eli's guidance. A household can make space for children to ask what they are hearing and for adults to admit when they need help discerning what is true.

Practice listening that leads to obedience, not merely collecting spiritual impressions. Read the passage again, name what the LORD actually says here, and ask what faithful attention would look like in your household. Make room for counsel, especially when a strong feeling needs testing before it becomes a decision.

Prayer

Lord, make us attentive to Your word and humble about what we do not yet understand. Give children safe guides, adults teachable hearts, and our whole household courage to listen when obedience is costly. Keep us from confusing every impulse with Your voice. Amen.

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