As the note in Revised Standard Version indicates, the Hebrew contains Samuel’s name only once in this verse and says that “the LORD called to Samuel” (New American Bible), rather than having a direct quotation. Since 3.10 indicates that God called Samuel’s name twice “as at other times,” Revised Standard Version follows the Septuagint in reading his name twice also in verse 4. A manuscript from Qumran agrees with the Septuagint, which is followed by New Revised Standard Version. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project does not comment on this textual problem, which suggests that the committee supported the Masoretic Text here.

Here I am translates a Hebrew word that is made up of a particle often rendered “behold” plus a first person singular personal pronoun suffix; thus literally “Behold me.” The appropriate response to a summons by an unknown person in a given language may be quite different from a literal rendering of the Hebrew. Since Samuel thought it was Eli who was calling, the initial response should be one that is fitting for such a circumstance. A few English versions use various nonliteral translations that are closer to what a person would say in everyday life if they heard someone calling their name in the night. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, for example, has “I’m coming,” which seems most appropriate in view of the immediate context. Translators should look at their own language for the most natural equivalent in this situation.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .