Now the boySamuelwas ministeringto the LORDbeforeEli.And wordfrom the LORDwas rarein thosedays,visionswere infrequent.
We do not seeour signs;Thereis nolongerany prophet,Noris there any amongus who knowshowlong.
Where thereis novision,the peopleare unrestrained,But happyis he who keepsthe law.
I will makemortalmanscarcerthanpuregoldAnd mankindthanthe goldof Ophir.
Disasterwill comeupon disasterand rumorwill be [added] to rumor;then they will seeka visionfrom a prophet,but the lawwill be lostfrom the priestand counselfrom the elders.
Then Elkanahwentto his homeat Ramah.But the boyministeredto the LORDbeforeElithe priest.
Now Samuelwas ministeringbeforethe LORD,[as] a boywearinga linenephod.
But I will raiseup for Myself a faithfulpriestwho will doaccording to whatis in My heartand in My soul;and I will buildhim an enduringhouse,and he will walkbeforeMy anointedalways.
Everyonewho is leftin your housewill comeand bowdownto him for a pieceof silveror a loafof breadand say,"Pleaseassignme to oneof the priest'sofficesso that I may eata pieceof bread."'"
So Samuellaydownuntilmorning.Then he openedthe doorsof the houseof the LORD.But Samuelwas afraidto tellthe visionto Eli.
And the LORDappearedagainat Shiloh,becausethe LORDrevealedHimself to Samuelat Shilohby the wordof the LORD.