1 The boy Samuel served the Lord under the direction of Eli. In those days the Lord didn't give many messages to his people. He didn't give them many visions.
2 One night Eli was lying down in his usual place. His eyes were becoming so weak he couldn't see very well.
3 Samuel was lying down in the Lord's house. That's where the ark of God was kept. The lamp of God was still burning.
4 The Lord called out to Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am."