Samuel is four times called by the Lord: who revealeth to him the evil that shall fall on Heli, and his house.
3:1. Now the child Samuel ministered to the Lord before Heli, and the word of the Lord was precious in those days, there was no manifest vision.
Precious. . .That is, rare.
3:2. And it came to pass one day when Heli lay in his place, and his eyes were grown dim, that he could not see:
3:3. Before the lamp of God went out, Samuel slept in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
3:4. And the Lord called Samuel. And he answered: Here am I.
3:5. And he ran to Heli, and said: Here am I: for thou didst call me. He said: I did not call: go back and sleep. And he went and slept.
3:6. And the Lord called Samuel again. And Samuel arose and went to Heli, and said: Here am I: for thou calledst me. He answered: I did not call thee, my son: return and sleep.
3:7. Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither had the word of the Lord been revealed to him.
3:8. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose up and went to Heli,