Light in the WaitingSamuel Hears God's Voice
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If God called your name tonight, what would you say?
The illustrated story
Listen to the story
Read aloud with a generated voice, so little ones can follow along.
Read the story
Samuel was a young boy who lived in the house of the Lord. His mother, Hannah, had prayed for him before he was born, and she had promised him to God. So Samuel grew up beside Eli the old priest, helping him, learning about God, lighting the lamps and opening the doors.
One night, Samuel was lying in bed when he heard a voice call his name.
“Samuel!”
He jumped up and ran to Eli. “Here I am! You called me.”
But Eli shook his head. “I did not call you, my son. Go back and lie down.”
Samuel went back to bed. And the voice came again: “Samuel!” Again he ran to Eli, and again Eli said, “I did not call you. Go back and lie down.” When it happened a third time, old Eli understood. It was not a man’s voice calling the boy. It was the Lord.
“Go and lie down,” Eli told him gently, “and if you hear the voice again, say: Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
Samuel lay down in the dark, his heart beating fast. And the voice came once more, close and kind.
“Samuel! Samuel!”
“Then Samuel said, ‘Speak; for your servant hears.’”
1 Samuel 3:10
And God spoke to Samuel, a young boy, lying in his bed in the dark. From that night on, God kept speaking to him, and Samuel kept listening. He grew up to be a great prophet who faithfully told God’s people everything God said, and all of it began with four small words: speak, your servant hears.
God did not wait for Samuel to be grown up. He does not wait for us to be grown up either. God still speaks today, through His Word, and He loves a heart that is quiet enough, and willing enough, to listen.
What we learn
God still speaks today, and we can listen with willing hearts. God can use children too.
Family prayer
Dear God, help us to listen when You speak. Give us willing hearts, and guide us each day. Amen.
A verse to remember
Speak; for your servant hears.
1 Samuel 3:10
Say it together a few times, then see who can say it alone.
Talk about it together
- Who was calling Samuel in the night?
- What did Eli teach Samuel to say?
- How can we listen to God today?
Read it in the Bible: 1 Samuel 3:1–10.
Questions or a message for us?
If you have a question about this story, or you would like to share how your family used it, write to [email protected]. We love hearing from readers.
