Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 Samuel 3:10

"And Jehovah came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel said, Speak; for thy servant heareth." — 1 Samuel 3:10 (ASV)

And the LORD came, and stood,

From this we learn that there was some kind of appearance to Samuel, similar to what was manifested to others. A spiritual being was before him, though he could not make out its form: Jehovah came, and stood,

Then Samuel answered, Speak; for your servant hears.

You observe that he did not say, "Lord;" perhaps he hardly dared to take that sacred name upon his lips. He was impressed with such solemn awe at the name of God, that he said, Speak; for your servant hears.

I wish that some Christian men of my acquaintance would leave out the Lord's name a little in their prayers, for we may take the name of the Lord in vain even in our supplications.

When the heathen are addressing their gods, they are accustomed to repeat their names over and over again. "O Baal, hear us! O Baal, hear us!" or, as the Hindus do when they cry, "Ram! Ram! Ram! Ram!" repeating the name of their god; but as for us, when we think of the infinitely-glorious One, we dare not needlessly repeat his name.

And called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel.

This time the child's name was spoken twice, as though God would say to him, "I have called you by your name; you are mine." It was no doubt to make a deeper impression upon the child's mind that his name was twice called by the Lord.