First Samuel chapter 3, we're going to launch our reading at verse 1.

If you do not have a tangible Bible, we'll have a projected for you on the screen.

First Samuel chapter 3, verse 1, if you're ready, we'll just shout, I'm ready.

Says now, the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli.

And the word of the Lord was rare in those days.

There was no widespread revelation and it came to pass at that time while Eli was lying down in his place.

And when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see.

And the lap of God went out in the tapernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was.

And while Samuel was lying down, the Lord called Samuel and he answered, here I am.

So he ran to Eli and said, here I am for you called me and he said, I did not call you, go lie down again.

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord. That's many of us right now.

We don't know when God is calling us yet. We call it coincidence.

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord.

Nor was the word of the Lord revealed to him.

And the Lord, God, the Lord called Samuel again the third time.

So he arose and went to Eli and said, here I am for you did call me.

Then Eli perceived that the Lord was lying down in the tapernacle of the Lord.

So he arose and went to Eli and said, here I am for you did call me.

Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy.

Therefore Eli said to Samuel, this is what you do.

Go lie down and it shall be if he calls you that you must say speak Lord for your servant here.

So Samuel went and laid down in his place.

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