by Suzanne Hadley based on 1 Samuel 2-3

Samuel heard their coarse laughter before they entered the room. He searched for an escape, but he knew he didn’t have time. Rubbing the soft cloth faster up and down the shiny candlestick, he hoped they wouldn’t see him.

Hophni and Phinehas’ rowdy conversation ended abruptly. "What are you doing here?" Hophni demanded.

Samuel lowered his eyes. "Polishing the candlesticks," he said quietly.

"Well, stay out of our way," Phinehas snarled. "We’re the priests around here. You’re nothing."

They turned toward the door. Phinehas said something under his breath, and Hophni snickered. Samuel’s throat tightened. He loved serving God in the tabernacle, but sometimes he wished he could see his mother . . . and that Eli’s sons would leave him alone.

Before Samuel was born, his mother, Hannah, had prayed for a son at the tabernacle. Hannah desperately wanted a child. Eli, the priest, saw her praying and told her God would answer her prayer.

The next year, Samuel was born. Hannah had promised God her son would serve Him in the tabernacle. So when Samuel was 3 years old, she took him to Eli.

Samuel still remembered that day.

When he first saw Eli, he was afraid. He clutched his mother’s skirt, studying the old man with gray bushy eyebrows and a long, white beard. Then Eli smiled. Samuel liked his smile. It was warm and kind.

Hannah gently pushed Samuel toward Eli as she explained that Samuel was God’s answer to prayer. She told Samuel he would live with Eli and serve God in the tabernacle. Samuel cried when his mother left, but the priest grasped his small hand and said: "You are the Lord’s, Samuel. He will be your comfort." Samuel looked up into Eli’s kind face and managed a smile.

Eli became Samuel’s best friend. He explained God’s special rules for the tabernacle. He warned Samuel that God’s commands must be followed exactly.

Samuel saw his parents once a year. But many days he longed to see his mother, especially when Eli’s sons spoke harshly to him. Hophni and Phinehas were wicked men. They stole the food worshippers brought to sacrifice to God. And they didn’t follow God’s special rules for the tabernacle.

Samuel finished polishing the candlestick and thought through the rest of the day’s chores. He’d be careful to avoid Hophni and Phinehas. They were always in a bad mood.

That night, Samuel tossed and turned. He was so tired he couldn’t see straight, but he couldn’t stop thinking about Eli’s sons. Why did God allow them to ignore His rules for the tabernacle?

"Samuel."

The voice came out of nowhere. Samuel rubbed his eyes. He threw off his blanket and ran to Eli.

"Here I am; you called me."

Eli started from his sleep. "I did not call you," he said groggily. "Go back to bed."

Samuel went back to his mat. I know Eli called me, he thought. He must have been talking in his sleep.

"Samuel."

Eli needs me, Samuel thought. He hurried to Eli’s bedside. This time Eli was awake. He assured Samuel he had not called. Samuel slowly returned to his mat.

Before Samuel could close his eyes, he heard the voice again.

"Samuel."

He hurried back to Eli. This time Eli said: "God is calling you, Samuel. Go back to bed, and when you hear the voice again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ "

Samuel lay down on his mat, eyes wide open. Every muscle in his body tensed. He strained his ears. Suddenly, Samuel sensed someone standing beside his mat in the darkness. "Samuel," the man said.

"Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening," Samuel answered in a small, trembling voice. Samuel listened as God told him Eli’s sons would die. God would punish them for their wickedness. Samuel felt sick. He tossed and turned the rest of the night.

The next morning, Eli asked Samuel about his vision. Samuel didn’t want to repeat what God had said, but he knew he had to tell the truth. His mouth felt like cotton as he struggled to find the words.

"Eli," he began shakily, "your sons will die because of their sin."

Eli grew pale, but he did not seem surprised. Samuel could see the lines in his face deepen in grief. Eli raised his teary eyes to look at Samuel and said, "He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes."

A tear slid down Samuel’s cheek. He put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. "You are the Lord’s, Eli. He will be your comfort." Eli looked down into his young friend’s face and managed a smile.

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