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1SAMUEL
CHAPTER 3

1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

While Samuel was still young, and learning his duties under the direction of Eli, there was very little open revelation to Israel from God. The sinful condition of Eli and his sons inhibited the freedom of God's Word.

2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; 3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; 4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. 5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. 6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. 8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. 9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

At bedtime, Samuel heard God call him, but he thought it was Eli. Verse seven tells us that Samuel did not "know" the Lord at this time.
Samuel certainly knew about God, but he'd had no genuine experience with God. God called to Samuel three times, and all three times he went to Eli thinking it was his voice he'd heard.
Finally, Eli realized that God was speaking to Samuel. Sin dulls the spiritual responses, and Eli was slow in realizing what was happening.
He told Samuel to lie down again, and when God spoke, to say, "Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth."

10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. 11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. 12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. 13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. 14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. 15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.

Samuel heard god again and did as Eli had said. And the Lord gave Samuel a prophecy.
God said he was going to do something that would give everyone in Israel "chill bumps." He would begin to judge Eli's house. And what God begins He always finishes (verse 12).
Note that God had already told Eli that he'd been allowing his sons to commit sin, and that he was not restraining them (verse 13).
It is SIN against God for parents not to correct children when they do wrong.
God told Samuel that this sin could not be forgiven with sacrifices and offerings (verse 14). This sin would have to be purged with God's personal discipline.
When parents refuse to correct children, God must step in and correct the situation.
Samuel arose in the morning and went about his normal duties.

16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. 17 And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. 18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.

But Eli called Samuel in the morning and inquired what God had told him. And Eli told Samuel not to leave anything out. Samuel told Eli all that God had said. Eli realized what God would do (see 2:31), but he was willong for God to act according to His Divine will. He was NOT willing to try and correct the situation himself.
How many Christians are willing to remain in sin when it is revealed to them; even knowing that God will discipline them for it?
This is the meaning behind Hebrews 10:26-27. When a person KNOWS God, and commits sin and continues in it, then he can only expect God to send strong discipline.

"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."(Hebrews 10:26-27)