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The Book of Shmuel I (Samuel 1): Chapter 3

1 And the child Samuel ministered unto HaShem before Eli. And the word of HaShem was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision.

2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place--now his eyes had begun to wax dim, that he could not see--

3 and the lamp of G-d was not yet gone out, and Samuel was laid down to sleep in the temple of HaShem, where the ark of G-d was,

4 that HaShem called Samuel; and he said: 'Here am I.'

5 And he ran unto Eli, and said: 'Here am I; for thou didst call me.' And he said: 'I called not; lie down again.' And he went and lay down.

6 And HaShem called yet again Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said: 'Here am I; for thou didst call me.' And he answered: 'I called not, my son; lie down again.'

7 Now Samuel did not yet know HaShem, neither was the word of HaShem yet revealed unto him.

8 And HaShem 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 HaShem was calling the child.

9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel: 'Go, lie down; and it shall be, if thou be called, that thou shalt say: Speak, HaShem; for Thy servant heareth.' So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 And HaShem came, and stood, and called as at other times: 'Samuel, Samuel.' Then Samuel said: 'Speak; for Thy servant heareth.'

11 And HaShem said to Samuel: 'Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.

12 In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from the beginning even unto the end.

13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever, for the iniquity, in that he knew that his sons did bring a curse upon themselves, and he rebuked them not.

14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be expiated with sacrifice nor offering for ever.'

15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of HaShem. And Samuel feared to tell Eli the vision.

16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said: 'Samuel, my son.' And he said: `Here am I.'

17 And he said: 'What is the thing that He hath spoken unto thee? I pray thee, hide it not from me, G-d do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that He spoke unto thee.'

18 And Samuel told him all the words, and hid nothing from him. And he said: 'It is HaShem; let Him do what seemeth Him good.'

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

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

21 And HaShem appeared again in Shiloh; for HaShem revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of HaShem.


Sources: Portions copyright © 1997 by Benyamin Pilant, All Rights Reserved
JPS Electronic Edition Copyright © 1998 by Larry Nelson, All Rights Reserved
Jewish Bible