Lesson: Will You Choose Life?
Reading: Hearing the voice of God
Reference: 1 Sam. 3:1-14
I Samuel 3:1: And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
I Samuel 3:2: And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
I Samuel 3:3: And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
I Samuel 3:4: That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
I Samuel 3:5: And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
I Samuel 3:6: And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
I Samuel 3:7: Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.
I Samuel 3:8: And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.
I Samuel 3:9: Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
I Samuel 3:10: And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
I Samuel 3:11: And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
I Samuel 3:12: In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
I Samuel 3:13: For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
I Samuel 3:14: And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
(KJV)