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).