Long ago, in the beautiful land of Israel, there lived a young boy named Samuel. Samuel lived and worked at God’s house, called the tabernacle, with an old priest named Eli. Samuel’s mother, Hannah, loved God very much. Before Samuel was born, she prayed and asked God to give her a son. When God answered her prayer, Hannah promised that Samuel would serve God all his life. So when Samuel was still a little boy, Hannah brought him to live at the tabernacle with Eli. Every year she visited him and brought him a new little robe she had made with love. Samuel liked helping in God’s house. He opened the doors in the morning, cleaned the lamps, and helped Eli with his work. Samuel obeyed Eli and tried to do what was right. Even though Samuel was young, he loved God very much. One quiet night, everything was still. Eli was lying down to sleep because his eyes were weak and he could not see very well anymore. Samuel was also lying down near the lamp of God inside the tabernacle. Suddenly, Samuel heard a voice calling his name. “Samuel!” Samuel quickly sat up. He thought Eli was calling him. He jumped from his bed and ran to Eli. “Here I am,” Samuel said. “You called me.” But Eli looked surprised. “I did not call you,” Eli answered kindly. “Go back and lie down.” So Samuel went back to bed. A little later, the voice came again. “Samuel!” Samuel hurried to Eli once more. “Here I am! You called me,” Samuel said. Again Eli replied, “I did not call you, my son. Go back and lie down.” Samuel obeyed and returned to bed, but he was confused. Who kept calling him? Then it happened a third time. “Samuel!” Samuel ran to Eli again. “Here I am! You called me!” This time Eli understood something very important. He realized that God was calling the boy. Eli gently told Samuel, “Go and lie down again. If you hear the voice again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’” Samuel nodded and quietly returned to his bed. Then the Lord called once more. “Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel’s heart beat fast, but this time he remembered Eli’s words. He answered softly, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.” God spoke to Samuel and gave him an important message. From that day on, Samuel knew that God was with him. As Samuel grew older, he became one of Israel’s greatest prophets. People trusted his words because God helped him speak the truth. The next morning, Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the message God had given him. But Eli encouraged him to speak honestly. Samuel obeyed and told Eli everything. Eli listened carefully and said, “He is the Lord. Let Him do what is good in His eyes.” As the years passed, everyone in Israel knew that God had chosen Samuel. God continued to speak to him, and Samuel faithfully listened and obeyed. This wonderful story teaches us that God can speak to anyone—even children! Samuel was young, but he had a listening heart. God loves when we pray, listen, and obey Him. Whenever we read the Bible, pray quietly, and follow what is right, we can also say: “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.”
What Children Will Learn from The Boy Samuel: Learning to Listen: Understanding how to be quiet and listen for God’s gentle guidance. A Willing Heart: Discovering the joy of saying “Speak, Lord, I am listening” when we feel God’s presence. Purpose at Any Age: Seeing that God has important things to say to children and can use them for great things.
In the heartwarming story of The Boy Samuel Hears God, young children will learn how to quiet their hearts and listen to the Lord’s gentle voice. Growing up in the tabernacle under the care of Eli the priest, young Samuel is dedicated to serving God with a pure and willing heart. One quiet night, as Samuel is drifting off to sleep, he hears a mysterious voice calling his name. After running to Eli three times, the wise old priest realizes it is the Lord speaking. Eli teaches Samuel the beautiful, timeless response: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” This beautifully illustrated retelling reminds young hearts that God knows them by name and loves to speak to children who are ready to listen.
