^{1 Ref} And the child Samuel ministered unto Jehovah before Eli. And the word of Jehovah was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision.

^{2 Ref} And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to wax dim, so that he could not see),

^{3 Ref} and the lamp of God was not yet gone out, and Samuel was laid down `to sleep', in the temple of Jehovah, where the ark of God was;

^{4 Ref} that Jehovah called Samuel; and he said, 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 Ref} And Jehovah called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.

^{7 Ref} Now Samuel did not yet know Jehovah, neither was the word of Jehovah yet revealed unto him.

^{8 Ref} And Jehovah called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And Eli perceived that Jehovah had called the child.

^{9 Ref} Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Jehovah; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

¹⁰ And Jehovah came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel said, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

^{11 Ref} And Jehovah 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 Ref} In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from the beginning even unto the end.