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."
5 He ran over to Eli. He said, "Here I am. You called out to me." But Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.
6 Again the Lord called out, "Samuel!" Samuel got up and went to Eli. He said, "Here I am. You called out to me." "My son," Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back and lie down."
7 Samuel didn't know the Lord yet. That's because the Lord still hadn't given him a message.
8 The Lord called out to Samuel for the third time. Samuel got up and went to Eli. He said, "Here I am. You called out to me." Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy.
9 So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down. If someone calls out to you again, say, 'Speak, Lord. I'm listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place.