This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in 1 Samuel 3, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once upon a time, there was a boy named Samuel who lived in the temple with his teacher, Eli. Samuel helped Eli by doing small jobs in the temple, like lighting the lamps and sweeping the floors.
One night, when Samuel was sleeping in the temple, he heard a voice calling his name. He thought it was Eli, so he ran to him and said, “Here I am! You called me?” But Eli said he didn’t call him and told him to go back to sleep.
This happened two more times, and each time, Samuel ran to Eli thinking he had called him. But Eli knew that it was not him calling Samuel, and he realized that it was God who was calling Samuel.
So Eli told Samuel to go back to bed, but if he heard the voice again, he should say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.” And that’s exactly what Samuel did.
God spoke to Samuel and told him some important things. God said that Eli’s sons had been doing bad things, and Eli had not stopped them. Because of that, God was going to punish Eli and his family.
The next morning, Samuel was scared to tell Eli what he had heard, but Eli insisted that he tell him everything. Samuel did, and Eli accepted what God had planned.
As Samuel grew up, he became a great prophet and helped the people of Israel. And everyone knew that God was with him.
Biblical Lessons
- Even young people can be used by God for great things.
- God is just and punishes wrongdoing, but also forgives those who repent.
- We should seek guidance from wise and experienced people, like Eli was for Samuel.
- We should be obedient to God’s will, even if it may be difficult or uncomfortable.
- It’s important to be honest and truthful, even when it’s hard.
Related Stories
Must-Read Christian Books
Knowing God
A classic that helps believers move from knowing about God to truly knowing Him in a personal and biblical way.
View on Amazon
The Pursuit of God
A heartfelt call to pursue God Himself above all else, with a strong emphasis on holiness and devotion.
View on Amazon
The Knowledge of the Holy
Short, powerful meditations on the attributes of God that lift the reader into a bigger, more biblical view of who He is.
View on Amazon
The Cost of Discipleship
A penetrating look at Jesus' call to follow Him, contrasting cheap grace with true, costly discipleship.
View on Amazon
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Practical, biblical guidance on disciplines like prayer, Bible intake, worship, and fasting to grow in godliness.
View on Amazon
The Cross of Christ
A profound exploration of the meaning and power of the cross at the center of Christian faith and life.
View on Amazon
The Pilgrim's Progress
A classic allegory of the Christian journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, saturated with Scripture.
View on Amazon
Systematic Theology
A comprehensive, evangelical overview of Christian doctrine with Scripture at every point.
View on Amazon
A Call to Spiritual Reformation
Walks through Paul's prayers to teach believers how to pray biblically and God-centeredly.
View on Amazon
Faith Alone
Defends justification by faith alone as the heart of the biblical gospel and Reformation.
View on Amazon
Basic Christianity
A timeless introduction to who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him according to Scripture.
View on Amazon
Overcoming Sin and Temptation
A classic Puritan work on mortifying sin and living in the power of the Spirit.
View on Amazon
Let the Nations Be Glad!
Missions-focused theology showing that worship is the goal of evangelism to the nations.
View on Amazon
The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination
Explains and defends the doctrines of grace and God's sovereign election from Scripture.
View on Amazon
Spurgeon on the Christian Life
A portrait of Charles Spurgeon's Christ-centered theology and joyful piety.
View on Amazon
The Bruised Reed
A tender Puritan work on Christ's gentleness toward weak and struggling believers.
View on Amazon
Gentle and Lowly
Meditates on Christ's heart for sinners and sufferers from key biblical texts.
View on Amazon
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness
Shows how the gospel frees us from self-obsession to live in joy and service.
View on Amazon