1 Samuel 3

All 21 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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1. 1The young boy Samuel served the LORD under Eli's guidance. In those days, the word of the LORD was precious, and there were no open visions.
2. 2One night, Eli was lying down in his usual place. His eyesight had been getting worse and worse — he could barely see anymore.
3. 3The lamp of God in the LORD's temple hadn't gone out yet, and Samuel was lying down to sleep near the ark of God.
4. 4Then the LORD called out, "Samuel!" He answered, "Here I am!"
5. 5He ran to Eli and said, "Here I am — you called me." But Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back and lie down." So he went back and lay down.
6. 6The LORD called again, "Samuel!" Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, "Here I am — you called me." Eli answered, "I didn't call you, my son. Go back and lie down."
7. 7Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
8. 8The LORD called Samuel again the third time. He got up, went to Eli, and said, "Here I am — you called me." This time, Eli realized that it was the LORD calling the boy.
9. 9So Eli told Samuel, "Go lie down, and if he calls you again, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" Samuel went back and lay down in his place.
10. 10The LORD came and stood there, calling out just as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" This time Samuel answered, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
11. 11The LORD said to Samuel, "I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears tingle for everyone who hears about it."
12. 12"When that day comes, I will carry out everything I have spoken against Eli's family, from beginning to end."
13. 13I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity he knows about, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them.
14. 14Therefore I have sworn concerning Eli's house that the iniquity of Eli's house will never be removed by sacrifice or offering.
15. 15Samuel lay there until morning, then got up and opened the doors of the LORD's house. He was afraid to tell Eli about the vision.
16. 16But Eli called to him, "Samuel, my son!" Samuel answered, "Here I am."
17. 17Eli said, "What did the LORD say to you? Don't hide anything from me. May God deal with you severely if you keep back even one word of what he told you."
18. 18Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Eli said, "It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him."
19. 19Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and he let none of his words fall to the ground.
20. 20Everyone in Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, recognized that Samuel had been confirmed as a prophet of the LORD.
21. 21The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, because that is where he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.