The Lord calleth Samuel three times; he knows not God’s voice, but thinks it to be Eli who calls him; runs to him, who instructs him, 1-9. At the fourth call he answers, 10. God acquainteth Samuel with the destruction of Eli’s house, 11-14. Samuel in the morning discovers it to Eli, at his request: Eli’s submission, 15-18. All Israel acknowledgeth Samuel for a prophet, 19-21.
Matthew Henry: 'In the foregoing chapter we had Samuel a young priest, though by birth a Levite only, for he ministered before the Lord in a linen ephod; in this chapter we have him a young prophet, which was more, God in an extraordinary manner revealing himself to him, and in him reviving, if not commencing, prophecy in Israel. Here is, I. God's first manifestation of himself in an extraordinary manner to Samuel, verses 1-10. II. The message he sent by him to Eli, verses 11-14. III. The faithful delivery of that message to Eli, and his submission to the righteousness of God in it, verses 15-18. IV. The establishment of Samuel to be a prophet in Israel, verses 19-21.'