1 The child Sh’mu’el continued ministering toAdonaiunder ‘Eli’s direction. Now, in those daysAdonairarely spoke, and visions were few.
2 Once, during that period, ‘Eli had gone to bed — his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that it was hard for him to see.
3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out; and Sh’mu’el had lain down to sleep in the sanctuary ofAdonai, where the ark of God was.
4 Adonaicalled, “Sh’mu’el!” and he answered, “Here I am.”
5 Then he ran to ‘Eli and said, “Here I am — you called me?” But he said, “I didn’t call you; go back, and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
6 Adonaicalled a second time, “Sh’mu’el!” Sh’mu’el got up, went to ‘Eli and said, “Here I am — you called me.” He answered, “I didn’t call, my son; lie down again.”
7 Now Sh’mu’el didn’t yet knowAdonai; the word ofAdonaihad not yet been revealed to him.
8 Adonaicalled, “Sh’mu’el!” again, a third time. He got up, went to ‘Eli and said, “Here I am — you called me.” At last ‘Eli realized it wasAdonaicalling the child.
9 So ‘Eli said to Sh’mu’el, “Go, and lie down. If you are called again, say, ‘Speak,Adonai; your servant is listening.’ Sh’mu’el went and lay down in his place.
10 Adonaicame and stood, then spoke as at the other times: “Sh’mu’el! Sh’mu’el!” Then Sh’mu’el said, “Speak; your servant is listening.”
11 Adonaisaid to Sh’mu’el, “Look! I am going to do something in Isra’el that will make both ears of everyone who hears about it tingle.
12 On that day I will do against ‘Eli everything I have said with regard to his family, from beginning to end.
13 For I have told him that I will execute judgment against his family forever, because of his wickedness in not rebuking his sons, even though he knew that they had brought a curse on themselves.
14 Therefore I have sworn to the family of ‘Eli that the wickedness of ‘Eli’s family will never be atoned for by any sacrifice or offering.”
15 Sh’mu’el lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house ofAdonai. But Sh’mu’el was afraid to tell ‘Eli the vision.
16 Then ‘Eli called Sh’mu’el: “Sh’mu’el, my son!” He answered, “Here I am.”
17 ‘Eli said, “What did he say to you? Please, don’t hide it from me; may God do whatever he said and worse, if you hide from me anything he said to you.”
18 So Sh’mu’el told him every word and hid nothing. ‘Eli replied, “It isAdonai; let him do what seems good to him.”
19 Sh’mu’el kept growing,Adonaiwas with him, and he let none of his words fall to the ground.
20 All Isra’el from Dan to Be’er-Sheva became aware that Sh’mu’el had been confirmed as a prophet ofAdonai.
21 Adonaicontinued appearing in Shiloh, forAdonairevealed himself to Sh’mu’el in Shiloh by the word ofAdonai.