KNLS

Today's story begins with the boy Samuel hearing the Lord call his name three times, but each time thinking it was Eli the priest. Finally, Samuel went back to bed after Eli told him that if it happened again he should answer, “I’m listening, Lord. What do you want me to do?”

Sure enough, Samuel went back to bed and the Lord then stood beside Samuel and called out as he had done before, “Samuel! Samuel!”

“I’m listening,” Samuel answered, “What do you want me to do?”

The Lord said, “Samuel, I am going to do something in Israel that will shock everyone who hears about it! I will punish Eli and his family, just as I promised. He knew that his sons refused to respect me, and he let them get away with it, even though I said I would punish his family forever. I warned Eli that sacrifices or offerings could never make things right! His family has done too many disgusting things.

The next morning, Samuel got up and opened the doors to the Lord’s house. He was afraid to tell Eli what the Lord had said. But Eli told him, “Samuel, my boy, come here!” “Here I am Samuel answered. Eli said, “What did God say to you? Tell me everything. I pray that God will punish you terribly if you don’t tell me every word he said!”

Samuel told Eli everything. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord, and he will do what is right.”

As Samuel grew up, the Lord helped him and made everything Samuel said come true.

This story is from the book of First Samuel, chapter 3.