Therefore: while the text has only the common Hebrew conjunction, the context requires something like the Revised Standard Version transition. Eli’s instructions to Samuel come as a direct result of his realization that it was God who had been calling the boy.

If he calls you: the pronoun he refers here to the LORD, but given the context it may be better not to use the divine name here. Revised English Bible has “if someone calls.” Also, the idea of God’s calling Samuel “again” (Good News Translation) or “once more” (Revised English Bible) is clearly implied. In many languages it will be good to make this explicit, and in some cases this will be done by a special verb form meaning “re-speaks” or “re-calls.”

Samuel is told to refer to himself as thy servant to show respect to God. If readers will think that Samuel will be referring to someone other than himself, it will be necessary to say something like “I, your servant.” See the detailed explanation about indirect references in the introductory section to this handbook, pages 12 and following.

The verb hears is not to be taken as a statement about Samuel’s general ability to hear, but rather as a specific declaration that he is actively listening for further instructions. New Century Version appropriately translates “I am listening.”

His place: see the comment on verse 2.

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 .