“Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli. And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent.” (1) Samuel was dedicated to the service of the Lord by his parents in the presence of Eli. Consequently, Samuel learned to hear God’s voice at a time when few were hearing from God. While Eli was lying down and his vision was dim, Samuel was lying down in God’s house tending to the lamp of God. When God spoke to him, he confused God’s voice for Eli’s. We are told that Samuel answered, “…’Here I am.’ Then he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’…” (4b-5a). This occurred three times before Eli realized God was calling the boy and then he instructed him to say, “…’Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’…” (9b). It is instructive that Samuel was serving God by serving Eli. He was not frustrated by Eli or his sons’ corruption, but tirelessly served Eli. If we cannot serve or listen to others, we likely will not hear God. However, when we serve God by faithfully serving others without frustration, we position ourselves to begin hearing God’s voice even at times when it is rare and there are not many hearing His voice. In, fact we may hear God even while those we serve have grown dim in their spiritual perceptions.