The Calling of Samuel: A Bedtime Story

Part 1

Lily, Ben, and Sam were back in their grandparents’ attic, eager for another adventure. After the exciting stories they had already experienced, they couldn’t wait to see where the old book would take them next.

"I wonder what story we’ll see today," Lily said as she opened the book.

The golden light began to glow from the pages, wrapping around them just as it always did. The attic started to spin, and the familiar feeling of excitement bubbled up in their hearts.

When the spinning stopped, they found themselves inside a large, quiet building. It was dimly lit, with oil lamps flickering on the walls, and everything seemed calm and peaceful. The air was filled with the scent of incense, and the sound of soft breathing could be heard in the background.

"Where are we?" Sam whispered, looking around.

Ben thought for a moment before answering. "I think we’re in the temple of God in Israel. This must be where the priests live and work."

Lily spotted a young boy lying on a mat nearby, fast asleep. "Look, that’s Samuel! He’s just a kid, like us."

Samuel was indeed very young, maybe around the same age as Ben. He was living in the temple, serving the Lord under the guidance of an old priest named Eli. Samuel’s mother, Hannah, had prayed for a child and promised to dedicate him to God if her prayer was answered. Now, Samuel lived in the temple, helping Eli and learning about God.

As the children watched, the night grew darker and quieter. The flickering lamps cast soft shadows on the walls, and the only sound was the gentle breathing of those sleeping in the temple. Everything seemed peaceful, but then something unexpected happened.

Suddenly, a voice called out in the darkness, "Samuel! Samuel!"

Samuel woke up with a start. He looked around, confused, and then got up quickly. He thought Eli was calling him, so he hurried over to where Eli was sleeping.

"Here I am; you called me," Samuel said, standing by Eli’s bed.

Eli, who was still half asleep, shook his head. "I did not call; go back and lie down."

Samuel returned to his mat, a little confused, but he lay down again and closed his eyes.

But just a few moments later, the voice called again, "Samuel! Samuel!"

Lily, Ben, and Sam watched closely as Samuel got up once more and went to Eli. "Here I am; you called me," he said, still thinking it was Eli who needed him.

But Eli shook his head again. "My son, I did not call; go back and lie down."

Samuel went back to his mat, more puzzled than ever. He lay down once more, but before he could fall asleep, the voice called out a third time, "Samuel! Samuel!"

This time, Samuel got up quickly and went to Eli, certain that he must be needed for something important. "Here I am; you called me," he said.

Eli sat up and looked at Samuel thoughtfully. This time, Eli realized something special was happening. He understood that it wasn’t just any voice calling Samuel—it was the voice of God.

Eli smiled gently at Samuel. "Go and lie down," he said. "And if He calls you again, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’"

Samuel nodded and went back to his mat. He lay down, his heart beating a little faster now. The temple was quiet once more, and Samuel waited, listening carefully.

Part 2

As the children watched, the temple seemed to grow even quieter. They could feel the anticipation in the air, as if something very important was about to happen.

Then, just as before, the voice called out, "Samuel! Samuel!"

This time, Samuel sat up straight. Remembering what Eli had told him, he replied, "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening."

Lily, Ben, and Sam held their breath as they watched. They could sense that Samuel was about to hear something very special.

And then, God spoke to Samuel. He told Samuel that He was about to do something very important in Israel, something that would make everyone listen. God also gave Samuel a message to deliver to Eli—a message that wasn’t easy for a young boy to share. God was going to judge Eli’s family because Eli’s sons had done wrong things, and Eli hadn’t stopped them.

Samuel listened carefully to every word. Even though he was just a child, he knew that what he was hearing was important, and he understood that God was trusting him with a big responsibility.

When the message was finished, the temple became quiet again. Samuel lay down, his heart full of the words he had heard. He knew that in the morning, he would have to tell Eli what God had said.

The golden light began to return, wrapping around Lily, Ben, and Sam. As they were lifted off the ground, they watched Samuel one last time, lying quietly on his mat, ready to obey God’s voice. The light carried them back to the attic, and when the spinning stopped, they were once again in their grandparents’ house, the old book still open in front of them.

"Samuel was just a boy, but God spoke to him," Lily said, her voice filled with wonder.

"And he listened," Ben added. "Even though the message was hard, Samuel knew he had to tell Eli the truth."

Sam nodded. "It shows that God can speak to us, no matter how young we are. We just have to listen."

The children left the attic, feeling inspired by Samuel’s story. They knew that God could speak to anyone who was willing to listen, even a young boy like Samuel. And as they went downstairs, they talked about how they could be like Samuel—ready to hear God’s voice and do what He says.

That night, as they drifted off to sleep, they dreamed of quiet temples, gentle voices, and the courage to listen to God, just like Samuel did.

The End