Eli: The Priest Who Kept Listening

Biblical Source: 1 Samuel, primarily chapters 1–4

A standalone biographical passage for the EC–18+ curriculum

Reading level: approximately 660 Lexile (3rd–4th grade)

Vocabulary note: Written using high-frequency Dolch sight words (was, could not, said, sat, then, came, called, went, heard, again) paired with AAC core vocabulary (want, help, more, stop, go, listen, hear, again, good, here), so the passage can support both fluent readers and core-word communicators in the same lesson.

Family and Community

Role: Priest and judge of Israel at Shiloh, where the tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant were located
Sons: Hophni and Phinehas, who also served as priests but behaved wickedly in their duties (1 Samuel 2:12–17)
Samuel: A boy whose mother, Hannah, dedicated him to the Lord. Samuel lived and served at Shiloh under Eli’s care and guidance (1 Samuel 1:24–28; 3:1)

The Passage

Eli was a priest and judge of Israel.

As he grew older, his eyesight became weak.

Scripture says:

"Eli's eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see."
— 1 Samuel 3:2, KJV

Eli continued serving at Shiloh.

A young boy named Samuel also lived there. His mother, Hannah, had brought him to serve the Lord, and Eli helped guide him as he grew (1 Samuel 1:24–28; 3:1).

One night, Samuel was lying down when he heard someone call his name.

“Samuel!”

Samuel thought Eli had called him.

He ran to Eli and said:

"Here am I; for thou calledst me."
— 1 Samuel 3:5, KJV

But Eli had not called him.

He told Samuel to go back and lie down.

It happened again.

Samuel heard his name and went back to Eli.

Again, Eli said he had not called.

Then it happened a third time.

This time, Eli understood.

The Lord was calling Samuel.

Eli told the boy:

"Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth."
— 1 Samuel 3:9, KJV

Samuel went back and listened.

When God called again, Samuel was ready to answer.

Eli could not see well, but he understood something Samuel did not yet understand.

He recognized what was happening and showed Samuel what to do.

Years later, Eli received terrible news.

His sons, Hophni and Phinehas, had died in battle. The Ark of God had also been captured.

When Eli heard that the Ark had been taken, he fell backward from his seat. He broke his neck and died.

Scripture says Eli was ninety-eight years old and had judged Israel for forty years (1 Samuel 4:15–18).

Key Verse

"Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth."
— 1 Samuel 3:9, KJV

Seeing Less, Understanding More

Eli’s eyesight was fading.

But his ability to understand what was happening had not disappeared.

Samuel heard the voice, but he did not know who was calling him.

Eli helped him understand.

Eli did not need strong eyesight to guide Samuel.

His experience and wisdom mattered.

At an important moment in Samuel’s life, Eli knew how to help.

Why This Story Matters for Our Curriculum

Bodies change as people grow older.

Some people lose part or all of their vision. They may need more help with certain tasks or find new ways to do things.

That does not mean their knowledge and experience disappear.

Eli could not see well, but Samuel still needed his guidance.

This story can help students talk about older adults and people with vision loss with respect.

A person may do some things differently and still have important knowledge to share.

Sometimes the person who sees less can still help someone else understand more.

Note: Scripture quotations are from the public-domain King James Version. Scripture says Eli’s eyesight had become dim but does not give a modern medical diagnosis for his vision loss.