1 Samuel 3
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
It was night. The house of God was quiet. Outside it was dark, very dark.
Inside burned one little lamp. A small, warm flame. It had not gone out yet.
On his bed lay a boy. His name was Samuel. Samuel lived in God's house. He helped there every day. He opened the big doors in the morning.
Not far away slept an old man. His name was Eli. Eli's eyes were tired. He could hardly see anymore.
Samuel lay still. He was almost asleep.
And then… then Samuel heard something.
"Samuel!"
Someone called his name! Samuel jumped up. He ran to Eli. "Here I am! You called me!"
But Eli said, "I did not call you. Go lie down again."
So Samuel went back. He lay down. The lamp still burned.
And then… "Samuel!"
Again! Samuel ran to Eli again. "Here I am! You called me!"
Eli said, "I did not call, my son. Go lie down again."
Samuel went back. His bed was warm. His eyes were heavy.
And then, one more time. "Samuel!"
Samuel ran to the old man again. And now Eli understood. Now Eli knew who was calling.
It was God.
Eli said, "Go lie down, Samuel. And if you hear it again, say this: Speak, Lord. I am listening."
What Does This Mean?
Samuel lay down. The lamp burned. It was quiet.
Then God came and stood there. God called, "Samuel! Samuel!"
And Samuel said it. Just as Eli had taught him. "Speak. I am listening."
And God spoke. To a little boy in the dark.
God told Samuel something sad. Something about Eli and his sons. They had done wrong things. And Eli had let them.
Samuel lay awake until morning. He was scared to tell Eli.
But in the morning Eli called him. "Samuel, my son!"
"Here I am," said Samuel.
Eli said, "Tell me everything."
So Samuel told him. Everything. He kept nothing back. That was brave.
And Eli said, "It is the Lord. Let him do what is good."
The Common Thread
Samuel grew bigger. And God stayed with him.
Everywhere, all through the land, people knew about Samuel. He was the boy who listened. God spoke to him again and again.
God still looks for ears that listen. Long after Samuel, God sent his own Son. Jesus. Jesus said, "Come to me." He calls people by name too.
God knows your name. Just like he knew Samuel's name.
For You
Maybe you cannot read yet. Maybe your bed feels big at night. That is alright.
Samuel was small too. And God called him anyway.
You do not have to be big for God. You may say what Samuel said. "Speak, Lord. I am listening."
You can say it in the morning. You can say it in bed. You can whisper it.
God hears little ears. And God hears little voices.
Talk About It
What do you think Samuel felt when he heard his name in the dark?
Where would you like to sit quietly and listen to God?
Praying Together
Dear God,
You know my name.
Thank you that you hear me.
I am here. I am listening.
Amen.
Questions about 1 Samuel 3
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is 1 Samuel 3 about?
What does 1 Samuel 3 say?
What does 1 Samuel 3 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from 1 Samuel 3?
Why is 1 Samuel 3 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Eli had laid down in his place. Now his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see."
Eli's fading eyesight is more than a physical detail. The priest who should have been watching over God's house can no longer see clearly, and his sons had already darkened his home with their sin. Into that dimness God will speak, but not to Eli. He will call a boy.
Sometimes God bypasses the expected voice and whispers to the small one still listening. When your own vision feels dim, do not despair. He may be preparing to speak in a way you never imagined.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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