1 Samuel 3

And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

Young Samuel served God under Eli's guidance. In those times, God's word was rare and treasured, with no clear visions given.

And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;

During that period, as Eli settled into his spot, his vision started to blur and fade, leaving him unable to see.

And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

Before the sacred light in God's temple, where His divine chest resided, flickered out, young Samuel settled down for a peaceful night's sleep.

That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

The LORD tenderly summoned Samuel, who responded with a humble and eager, "I'm here, ready to serve."

And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

Rushing to Eli, he exclaimed, "I'm here, you called me!" Eli replied, "I didn't call, go back to sleep." So, he returned to his slumber.

And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.

Once more, the LORD softly called, "Samuel." Startled, Samuel hurried to Eli, breathlessly saying, "I'm here, you called me." Eli, with a gentle smile, replied, "No, my son, it wasn't me. Go back to sleep."

Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.

At this point, Samuel hadn't yet experienced a personal connection with God, nor had God's message been unveiled to him.

And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.

Once more, God called out to Samuel. This time, Samuel got up and went to Eli, saying, "I'm here because you called me." It was then that Eli realized it was God who was calling the young boy.

Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Eli gently told Samuel, "Go rest. If you hear God's call, respond, 'I'm listening, Lord, your servant is ready.'" So, Samuel went to sleep, waiting for God's voice.

And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

In a moment of divine presence, the LORD appeared and gently called out, just as He had before, "Samuel, Samuel." Feeling the profound connection, Samuel responded humbly, "Please speak, Lord, your servant is listening."

And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.

And the LORD spoke to Samuel, promising, "I will perform an act in Israel so astonishing, it will leave everyone who hears of it utterly astounded."

In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.

On that day, I will carry out against Eli everything I have spoken against his family. When I start, I won't stop until it's finished.

For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

I've warned him that I will judge his family forever for the sin he knows about. His sons made themselves vile, and he did nothing to stop them.

And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

I've made a solemn promise to Eli's family that their wrongdoings can't be cleansed with any sacrifice or offering, ever.

And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.

Samuel lay down until morning, then opened the doors of the Lord's house at dawn. He was terrified to share his vision with Eli.

Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.

Eli summoned Samuel with a tender voice, "Samuel, my dear boy." Samuel responded, his voice echoing in the silence, "I'm here."

And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.

He asked, "What has God told you? Please, don't keep it from me. May God punish you severely if you hide any of His words from me."

And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.

Samuel shared everything with him, not holding back any detail. He responded, "It's God's will; let Him do what He thinks is best."

And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

Samuel matured, always accompanied by the Lord's presence. The Lord made every word Samuel spoke come true; none of them failed.

And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.

Everyone across Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, recognized and felt deeply that Samuel was chosen as God's prophet.

And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.

Once again, in Shiloh, God made His presence known. He unveiled His divine essence to Samuel through His sacred words.