Eli was
very weak and resting. The boy Samuel was resting with him.
God called Samuel three times! Samuel thought Eli was calling him. Finally, Eli knew God was talking. Read what God told Samuel. (3:11-14)
"And the Lord
said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will
make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. At that time I
will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his
family—from beginning to end. For I told him that I would judge
his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made
themselves contemptible, and
he failed to restrain them. Therefore, I swore to the house of
Eli, 'The guilt of Eli's house will never be atoned for by sacrifice
or offering.' "