YHWH Calls To Samuel Again And The Aged Eli Is Enlightened And Recognises The T1sa (1 Samuel 3:8-10).
‘ And YHWH called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And Eli perceived that YHWH had called the youth.'
Once more YHWH called Samuel's name, and again he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am for you called me'. But this time Eli recognised that something unusual was happening. He recognised that it was YHWH who was calling the young man (the word for young man signifies not yet a full adult).
‘ Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call you, that you will say, “Speak, YHWH; for your servant is listening.” So Samuel went and lay down in his place'
So Eli told Samuel that if he heard the voice again he must say, “Speak YHWH, for your servant is listening.' And with that Samuel returned to bed.
‘ And YHWH came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel, Samuel.” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” '
Then YHWH ‘came, and stood, and called' his name again. Note the threefold activity indicating its completeness. The previous threefold call was probably intended to be seen as indicating the completeness of his calling. It indicated a kind of inauguration. Now YHWH came in a complete revelation of Himself. Note in fact that the writer only has Samuel's name mentioned on three of the occasions (indicating a complete call). Now YHWH speaks Samuel's name twice. This time He expects a reply. And Samuel replies, ‘speak YHWH for your servant is listening.' From now on Samuel is a ‘a servant of God', a ‘man of God', a ‘prophet of YHWH'.