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Old Testament

Historical Books

How did Samuel come to be favored by God?

One night, Samuel was lying down in the temple when he heard someone call, “Samuel! Samuel!” He thought it was Eli calling him, so he went to find Eli. Eli assured Samuel that he had not called, so Samuel went back to bed. Again, Samuel heard someone call his name, “Samuel! Samuel!” Again, he thought it was Eli calling him, so he went to find Eli. Eli realized, then, that Samuel heard God calling him. Eli told Samuel to go back to bed, and if he heard the call again to answer, “Speak, LORD, for thy servant heareth.” (KJV, I Samuel 3:9) So Samuel did as Eli said. God told Samuel that he would bring down Eli’s family.