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Why did Samuel go to Eli after hearing his name called at night?
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Samuel
Samuel anointing David as king, stained-glass window by Charles Blakeman, 1953ā56; in St. Etheldreda's Church, London.
According to the biblical account, Samuel went to the priest Eli after hearing his name called at night because he believed it was Eli who was summoning him.1
As a youth serving at the shrine in Shiloh, Samuel was unfamiliar with the voice of God. He went to Eli three separate times after hearing the call, assuming his mentor was the one speaking. It was only after these repeated instances that Eli realized Samuel was experiencing a divine revelation and instructed the boy on how to respond to Yahweh.1