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FAMILY · TOLD GENTLY

Bible Stories

“Suffer little children to come unto me.” — Mark 10:14 · KJV

The verse anchor

"Speak; for thy servant heareth."

1 Samuel 3:10 · King James Bible

The story

There was a little boy named Samuel. His mother, Hannah, had prayed for him for many years before he was born. When Samuel was very young, Hannah brought him to the temple at Shiloh so he could grow up there and serve the Lord.

The old priest Eli looked after Samuel. Samuel helped with the work of the temple every day. He was small, but he was careful and kind.

One night, Samuel had gone to bed near the ark of God. The lamp was still burning. It was very quiet.

Then Samuel heard a voice. "Samuel!"

Samuel jumped up and ran to Eli. "Here am I; for thou calledst me."

But Eli said, "I called not; lie down again." So Samuel went back to bed.

The voice came again. "Samuel!" Samuel ran to Eli a second time. And a second time Eli said, "I called not, my son; lie down again."

The voice came a third time. Samuel ran to Eli again. And then Eli understood. Eli said, "Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth."

So Samuel went back and lay down. And the Lord came and stood there and called as before, "Samuel, Samuel."

And Samuel answered: "Speak; for thy servant heareth."

That night, in the quiet of the temple, God spoke to Samuel. God told him what was going to happen next in Israel. Samuel was still very young — but God had a big work for him. Samuel became one of the greatest prophets and judges of Israel. And it started because he learned, on that quiet night, how to say, "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth."

One thing we learn

God speaks to children too. He speaks when we are quiet — in a Bible verse, in a prayer, in the wisdom of a parent. The right thing to say back is what Samuel said: "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth."

Memory verse

"Speak; for thy servant heareth."

1 Samuel 3:10 · KJV

Say it three times before bed. In seven days you will know it forever.

A prayer

Speak, Lord; your servant is listening.
Give me quiet ears and a soft heart.
Amen.

Beneath the story · for grown-ups

To walk further with the household:

Reflection · for the household

Samuel's first act of ministry was to listen. Before the boy could preach or lead or write, he learned to say, "Speak, Lord." We often teach children to speak; God asks us to teach them first to listen. A household that keeps a quiet corner for God's voice raises children who can hear Him for the rest of their lives.

Family Application

  • MorningSit in silence with your child for one full minute before the day begins.
  • EveningAsk, "Did God whisper anything to your heart today?"
  • ChildrenWhisper together: 'Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.'

Family Discussion Questions

  • 1How did Samuel know it was God calling him?
  • 2What does it look like for our family to listen to God?
  • 3Is there a quiet time in the day when you have heard God?

Related Scripture

  • “The LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.”
    1 Samuel 3:10 · KJV
  • “Be still, and know that I am God.”
    Psalm 46:10 · KJV
  • “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
    John 10:27 · KJV

Companion Hymn

Speak, for Thy Servant Heareth

An original hymn written to sit beside this story · Children's choir · gentle a cappella

Best listened to as a bedtime hymn beside a child. Around 3-5 minutes.

Continue Your Journey

Where else this page opens into the household library.

Samuel — in the AtlasAnointed DavidHannah — Samuel's motherPrayed for SamuelShilohWhere the tabernacle stoodMore Bible stories for childrenFor children
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