Once a year Samuel’s mother went to see him and always took with her a
little coat. One night, when Samuel was asleep, he heard his name spoken.
He thought Eli called him, and ran to see what he wanted. But Eli said
he had not called him. So he went back to bed. Again he heard “Samuel,”
and again he ran to Eli. But Eli had not called him. Still again he was
called and ran to Eli. Then Eli knew that God had spoken and told him to
say, “Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth,” next time he was called.
Samuel did this, and God told him of something terrible that was going to
happen to Eli and his sons.
[Illustration: SAMUEL AND ELI.]