📖 From the Bible
Eli told Samuel, “Go lie down. And if somebody calls you, say, ‘Speak, God. I’m listening.’” Samuel went back to bed. Then God came and called, “Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak. I’m listening.”
9Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down. It shall be, if he calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD; for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10The LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak; for your servant hears.”
This is how we tell this passage to kids. The exact words of the Bible are under “As it is in the Bible”.
1 Samuel 3:9-10 · Scripture: World English Bible Updated (public domain)
You’re lying in bed and the light is off. Suddenly you hear your name. You go to your mom or dad, and they say they never called you. Strange, right? That’s exactly what happened to Samuel, the boy in today’s story.
Samuel lived with an old man named Eli. It was a place where people came to pray. Eli could hardly see anymore, so Samuel helped him. He did what he was supposed to do, and he did it well. One night, when everybody was asleep, somebody called, “Samuel!”
The boy thought it was Eli. He jumped out of bed and ran to him. “Here I am; for you called me.” Eli said, “I didn’t call. Lie down again.” So Samuel went back to bed. A little while later, he heard his name again. He ran to Eli a second time. Then a third time. Samuel didn’t know yet what God’s voice sounds like. Only after the third time did Eli figure out who was really calling.
Eli told him, “Go, lie down. It shall be, if he calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD; for your servant hears.’” Samuel lay back down. And he heard his name again. This time he answered the way Eli had told him. Then God began to talk with him. From that night on, Samuel knew that God really does talk to people. Later, Samuel became a prophet. That’s someone who told people what God had said.
Did you know?
In Samuel’s time, God spoke to people only rarely. His words were like treasure. Even so, God called out to a boy who helped an old man, not to somebody important. Samuel didn’t recognize God’s voice right away. He needed an older person to help him figure it out. There’s nothing embarrassing about that. Listening is something we have to learn, too.
Look at Jesus
Jesus said that people who belong to Him know His voice. He said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Jesus knows you by name, just like God knew Samuel’s name that night. And He talks with you whenever you talk to Him.
What about you?
God often speaks quietly. It’s hard to hear Him when music is playing, the TV is on and everybody is talking at once. Samuel heard Him at night, when it was quiet. Tonight, take five quiet minutes. Turn off the music and anything else that makes noise. Sit or lie down. Say, “God, speak. I’m listening.” Then just listen. You don’t have to hear anything the first time. Samuel needed three tries, too.
Let’s talk about it
- When is it quietest for you during the day?
- What gets in your way most when somebody is talking to you and you’re trying to listen?
- Who could help you figure out what God is saying, the way Eli helped Samuel?
Today’s challenge
Before bed, take five quiet minutes with no noise. Say softly, “God, speak. I’m listening,” and listen to the quiet.
Prayer
God, sometimes there’s too much noise inside me. Teach me to get quiet. Speak to me, and I want to listen. Amen.
Tap when you have prayed.