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1 Samuel 3:5
ESV and ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call; lie down again." So he went and lay down.
NIV And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.
NASB Then he ran to Eli and said, 'Here I am, for you called me.' But he said, 'I did not call, go back and lie down.' So he went and lay down.
CSB He ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." "I didn’t call," Eli replied. "Go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.
NLT He got up and ran to Eli. 'Here I am. Did you call me?' 'I didn’t call you,' Eli replied. 'Go back to bed.' So he did.
KJV 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.
NKJV So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he went and lay down.

What does 1 Samuel 3:5 mean?

Samuel is just a boy, maybe 12 years old according to some commentators (1 Samuel 3:1). It is clear that, at least on this night, he is obedient and eager to serve his mentor and guardian Eli the priest. When he hears a voice calling him, Samuel doesn't hesitate (1 Samuel 3:4). He jumps up from the place he is lying down in the temple and runs to where old Eli is lying down.

Samuel announces that he has arrived because he heard Eli call him. Eli denies it, saying he didn't call and telling Samuel to go lie down again. It's easy for parents to picture the scene of a child running in to one's bedroom in the middle of the night and being sent back to lie down in his or her own bed again. Samuel also immediately obeys Eli's directive to do exactly that.
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