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Bible story · 1 Samuel 3

Samuel Hears God’s Call

A boy hears God call his name in the night, and learns to listen. A 2-minute animated story, told simply for children and families, with each verse from the King James Version.

Start the storyFor parents

1 of 8

Young Samuel lived in God’s house and helped the old priest, Eli. In those days, people rarely heard God speak.

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.

1 Samuel 3:1 KJV

2 of 8

One night, while the lamp in God’s house was still burning, Samuel lay down to sleep.

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;

1 Samuel 3:3 KJV

3 of 8

Then the LORD called, “Samuel!” Samuel jumped up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. You called me.” But Eli said, “I didn’t call you. Go back to bed.”

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.

1 Samuel 3:5 KJV

4 of 8

The LORD called Samuel again, and then a third time. Each time Samuel ran to Eli. At last Eli understood that it was the LORD calling the boy.

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.

1 Samuel 3:8 KJV

5 of 8

Eli told him, “Go and lie down. If he calls you again, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’”

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.

1 Samuel 3:9 KJV

6 of 8

The LORD came and stood there, and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

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

1 Samuel 3:10 KJV

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Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him. Everything God told him to say came true.

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

1 Samuel 3:19 KJV

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All of Israel, from one end of the land to the other, knew that Samuel was a true prophet of the LORD.

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

1 Samuel 3:20 KJV

The end

Next story: David and Goliath

What does this story teach?

  • God speaks to children, not only to grown-ups.
  • Listening to God is just as important as talking to him.
  • Wise adults, like Eli, can help us understand what God is saying.
  • When God calls, we can answer, “Here I am.”

Questions to talk about

Use these with your children after the story, at bedtime, at the table or in a class.

  1. How many times did God call Samuel?
  2. Why do you think Samuel thought it was Eli calling?
  3. What did Eli tell Samuel to say?
  4. How can you listen to God today?

Read the story in the Bible

This retelling uses simple words for young readers. Read the full account in 1 Samuel 3, one verse per screen:

1 Samuel 3

Frequently asked questions

Where is the story of God calling Samuel in the Bible?

It is in 1 Samuel 3, in the Old Testament. Samuel had been brought to serve at the house of the LORD in Shiloh by his mother, Hannah (1 Samuel 1–2).

How old was Samuel when God called him?

The Bible calls him a “child” (1 Samuel 3:1) but does not give his age. Many think he was around twelve, though that comes from later tradition rather than the Bible.

How many times did God call Samuel?

Four times. Samuel ran to Eli the first three times, and the fourth time he answered God directly: “Speak; for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:10).

What is the lesson of Samuel’s call?

God speaks to people of any age, and he wants us to listen. Samuel’s answer, “Speak; for thy servant heareth,” is a simple prayer anyone can pray.

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