Chapter
Verse
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1 Samuel 3:8

ESV And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy.
NIV A third time the Lord called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy.
NASB So the Lord called Samuel again for the third time. And he got up and went to Eli and said, 'Here I am, for you called me.' Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy.
CSB Once again, for the third time, the Lord called Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, "Here I am; you called me." Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy.
NLT So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. 'Here I am. Did you call me?' Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy.
KJV 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.
NKJV And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy.

What does 1 Samuel 3:8 mean?

The Lord calls out Samuel's name for the third time. Once again, as before, Samuel thinks it must be Eli calling him (1 Samuel 3:4–6). After all, who else could it be? Nobody else seems likely to have been around the temple in the middle of the night. Samuel jumps up once more and rushes to the place where Eli is lying down. Does the boy think Eli is playing games with him? He announces himself a third time, saying that Eli called him.

Eli's response suggests something about Samuel. Eli does not react as he would to a boy prone to pranks and mischief. Nor does he respond as if Samuel had a habit of pretending to have been called because he couldn't sleep. Eli acts as if he knows Samuel is being sincere. Since he knew he wasn't calling Samuel, the priest finally realizes it must be the Lord calling the boy. After all, the boy was lying down and likely sleeping not too far from the ark of the covenant, behind the veil, upon which the presence of God rested (1 Samuel 3:3; Exodus 27:20–21).

Eli sends Samuel back to bed with instructions about what to do if he hears his name called again (1 Samuel 3:9).
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