Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.

Then Heli called Samuel, and said: Samuel, my son. And he answered: Here am I.

And Eli calleth Samuel, and saith, 'Samuel, my son;' and he saith, 'Here am I.'

Then Eli said, Samuel, my son. And Samuel answering said, Here am I.

Then Eli called Samuel, and he said, "Samuel, my son?" And responding, he said, "I am here."

Then Eli called Samuel,.... Perceiving he was risen by the opening of the doors of the tabernacle, which he might hear; and observing he did not come to him as usual, to know whether he wanted anything, and being impatient to hear what was said to him of the Lord:
and he said, Samuel, my son; called him by his name, and in a very tender and affectionate manner, the more to engage him to hasten to him, and thereby also putting him in mind of his filial duty to obey him:
and he answered, here am I; ready to attend and perform any service enjoined him.

When Samuel was called by Eli and asked concerning the divine revelation that he had received, he told him all the words, without concealing anything; whereupon Eli bowed in quiet resignation to the purpose of God: "It is the Lord; let Him do what seemeth Him good." Samuel's communication, however, simply confirmed to the aged Eli what God had already made known to him through a prophet, But his reply proves that, with all his weakness and criminal indulgence towards his wicked sons, Eli was thoroughly devoted to the Lord in his heart. And Samuel, on the other hand, through his unreserved and candid communication of the terribly solemn word of God with regard to the man, whom he certainly venerated with filial affection, not only as high priest, but also as his own parental guardian, proved himself to be a man possessing the courage and the power to proclaim the word of the Lord without fear to the people of Israel.