³ The lamp^(A) of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house^(B) of the Lord, where the ark^(C) of God was. ⁴ Then the Lord called Samuel.

Samuel answered, “Here I am.^(D)” ⁵ And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

⁶ Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”

⁷ Now Samuel did not yet know^(E) the Lord: The word^(F) of the Lord had not yet been revealed^(G) to him.

⁸ A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. ⁹ So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

¹⁰ The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!^(H)”

Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

¹⁹ The Lord was with^(A) Samuel as he grew^(B) up, and he let none^(C) of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.