According to the editors of the New Oxford Annotated Study Bible, “First Samuel as a separate book derives from the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible (the Septuagint), which divided the story of Israel’s monarchy into four sections now commonly known as 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings.”  As a simplified approach, we will find the story of Samuel (a prophet) and the story of Saul (Israel’s first king) spelled out in detail in First Samuel.  As we follow the stories of these two significant characters, we will also be introduced to a young man named David through some of our favorite David stories.

I Samuel 3:1-9

3 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.

² At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; ³ the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. ⁴ Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!”^[a] and he said, “Here I am!” ⁵ and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. ⁶ The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” ⁷ Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. ⁸ The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. ⁹ Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’

Prayer

Wonderful God, let me pick up the Word of the Lord, and in its pages hear you speak to me. I promise to be listening. Amen.