Samuel serves under Eli at a time when the word of the LORD is rare and visions are not widespread. One night, while Eli’s eyesight has grown dim and Samuel is lying down near the sanctuary, Samuel hears his name.

He runs to Eli and says that he has been called. Eli replies that he did not call and sends Samuel back to bed.

The same thing happens again. Samuel hears his name, goes to Eli, and is again told to lie down. The narrator explains that Samuel does not yet know the LORD in the prophetic sense being described.

When the call comes a third time, Eli understands what is happening. He tells Samuel that if he hears the voice again, he should answer by inviting the LORD to speak because the servant is listening.

The call comes again, and Samuel responds as instructed. The message he receives is not easy. It confirms judgment against Eli’s household because of the wrongdoing of Eli’s sons and Eli’s failure to restrain them.

Samuel lies awake until morning and is afraid to tell Eli the vision. Eli insists that Samuel not hide it. Samuel tells him everything.

As Samuel grows, the LORD is with him, and his prophetic words prove reliable. Israel comes to recognize that Samuel has been established as a prophet.

The famous call scene is therefore both personal and public. Samuel learns to listen, but the first message he must carry tests whether he will faithfully speak a difficult word to the mentor who raised him.