00:00Hey kids, have you ever played a game of hide and seek and thought you heard someone call your name, but it turned out to be just a win?
00:08Or maybe you were sure your mom called you, but she was in a totally different room.
00:12Well, today we're going to talk about a boy who had something very similar happen to him, but the voice he heard was super, super special.
00:21This is the amazing story of a boy named Samuel.
00:24Our story starts a long, long time ago in a place called Israel.
00:28Back then, there weren't any presidents or kings like we have today.
00:33Instead, there were special leaders called judges who helped guide the people.
00:38Samuel was a young boy who lived in the temple, which was God's house, and he helped an old priest named Eli.
00:45Eli was like a wise grandpa to Samuel.
00:47He was in charge of the temple, but his own sons weren't making very good choices.
00:52It was a time when not many people were listening to God, and it was very rare for God to speak directly to people.
00:59One night, after Samuel had finished all his chores, he went to bed.
01:04The big lamp in the temple was still burning brightly.
01:07Suddenly, in the quiet of the night, Samuel heard a voice call his name, Samuel.
01:12He sat up straight, thinking it must be Eli needing something.
01:15So, he jumped out of bed, ran to Eli's room, and said,
01:20Here I am, you called me.
01:22But Eli, who was sleepy, looked at him and said,
01:26I didn't call you, my son.
01:28Go back to bed.
01:30So, Samuel did.
01:31He snuggled back under his blankets and closed his eyes.
01:35A few moments later, he heard it again, a little clearer this time.
01:39Samuel, he was sure it was Eli this time.
01:42So, he got up again, went to Eli's room, and said,
01:47Here I am, you definitely called me.
01:49But once again, Eli shook his head.
01:52No, my son, I didn't call.
01:54Go lie down.
01:56Samuel was probably a little confused, but he was a good and obedient boy.
02:01So, he went back to his bed.
02:03He didn't know yet that it was God calling him.
02:06Can you guess what happened next?
02:07That's right.
02:08For a third time, the voice called out,
02:11Samuel.
02:11This time, Samuel was probably thinking,
02:14Okay, what is going on?
02:16He ran to Eli one more time and said,
02:19Here I am, for you did call me.
02:21Now, Eli was very old and very wise.
02:24As Samuel stood there for the third time,
02:27a light bulb went off in Eli's head.
02:29He realized it wasn't him calling Samuel.
02:31It was someone much more important.
02:33It was God.
02:34Eli looked at Samuel with kind eyes
02:36and gave him some very important instructions.
02:39He said, Go and lie down.
02:42And if the voice calls you again, this time don't come to me.
02:45Instead, I want you to say, Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.
02:50Eli was being a wonderful mentor, like a good teacher or coach.
02:55He was helping Samuel understand how to talk to God.
02:58This was a huge moment.
03:00Eli was passing on his wisdom to the next generation.
03:04So, Samuel went back to his spot one more time.
03:07He laid down.
03:08But I bet he wasn't sleepy anymore.
03:11He was probably wide awake, his ears listening as hard as they could.
03:14And sure enough, the voice came again, just as before.
03:19This time it was right there, as if standing beside him, Samuel, Samuel.
03:24Samuel's heart must have been beating so fast.
03:26But he remembered what Eli told him.
03:29He took a deep breath and said the special words,
03:32Speak, for your servant is listening.
03:34And guess what?
03:35God spoke.
03:36God gave Samuel a very important and serious message.
03:40He told Samuel about the big changes that were coming to Israel.
03:44And about the consequences for Eli's family because his sons were not honoring God.
03:50It was a heavy message for a young boy to hear.
03:52But he listened to God.
03:54This was the beginning of his new job.
03:56From that night on, Samuel wasn't just Eli's helper.
03:59He was a prophet of God.
04:01A prophet is someone who listens to God and shares God's messages with the people.
04:06The next morning, Samuel was a little nervous.
04:09How could he tell his kind mentor?
04:11Eli, the difficult news God had shared.
04:14But Eli knew something had happened.
04:16He called Samuel and asked him to share everything God had said and not to hide a single word.
04:23So Samuel, being brave and honest, told Eli the whole message.
04:28Even though the news was sad for him, Eli accepted it because he knew it came from God.
04:33As Samuel grew up, he didn't just grow taller.
04:36He grew in wisdom and in his friendship with God.
04:39Everyone in Israel, from one end of the country to the other, came to know that Samuel was a true and trustworthy prophet.
04:47When Samuel spoke, people listened because they knew he was sharing God's words.
04:52The Bible says that God was with Samuel and let none of his words fall to the ground.
04:57That means everything he said came true.
04:59Samuel's calling was a turning point for the whole nation of Israel.
05:04It was like a new chapter in their history book.
05:06He became the last of the great judges, helping to lead the people and bring them back to worshiping God.
05:13He even helped them choose their very first kings, a man named Saul and then another named David.
05:18Samuel helped unite the country and led them through difficult times, always pointing them back to God.
05:25He even started a school for prophets to teach others how to listen to God, just like Eli had taught him.
05:32So, what can we learn from this incredible story?
05:35First, we learn the importance of listening.
05:38Samuel had to learn to tell the difference between Eli's voice and God's voice.
05:42Sometimes, we need to be quiet and really listen to hear the good and right things we should do.
05:48Second, it's so important to have wise people in our lives to guide us, just like Samuel had Eli.
05:55Our parents, teachers, and church leaders can help us understand things we don't know.
06:00And finally, the most important part, obedience.
06:04When Samuel finally understood it was God calling, he said,
06:07Your servant is listening.
06:09He was ready and willing to do whatever God asked.
06:13Every time he obeyed, his connection with God grew stronger.
06:16His whole amazing life as a leader and prophet started with that one simple act of listening and being ready to obey.
06:24God can use anyone, no matter how young or old, who has a heart that is ready to listen and follow him.
06:31Just think about it.
06:32A young boy, living in the temple, became one of the greatest leaders in history because he learned to listen to God's voice.
06:40And the cool thing is, God still speaks to us today through the Bible, through wise people, and in the quiet of our own hearts.
06:47So, let's be like Samuel.
06:49Let's keep our ears and our hearts open, ready to say, speak, Lord, I'm listening.
06:55I hope you loved learning about Samuel.
07:00He's such a cool example of how God can use kids to do big things.
07:04Don't forget to like this video and subscribe so you don't miss our next adventure into the Bible.
07:10See you next time, and God bless.
