Story 12 of 30

Family devotions

Speak, Lord

God called the boy Samuel in the night, and Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

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¹The child Samuel ministered to Yahweh before Eli. Yahweh’s word was precious in those days. There were not many visions, then. ²At that time, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see), ³and God’s lamp hadn’t yet gone out, and Samuel had laid down in Yahweh’s temple, where God’s ark was; ⁴Yahweh called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.” ⁵He ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” He said, “I didn’t call. Lie down again.” He went and lay down. ⁶Yahweh called yet again, “Samuel!” Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” He answered, “I didn’t call, my son. Lie down again.” ⁷Now Samuel didn’t yet know Yahweh, neither was Yahweh’s word yet revealed to him. ⁸Yahweh called Samuel again the third time. He arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” Eli perceived that Yahweh had called the child. ⁹Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down. It shall be, if he calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, Yahweh; for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. ¹⁰Yahweh came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak; for your servant hears.”

1 Samuel 3:1–10

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Speak, Lord. We’re listening.