שמואל א, פרק ג׳, פסוק ט׳

Eli finally realizes that God is the one calling the boy and guides him on how to respond to the prophetic revelation. He instructs him that if the voice continues to call out again, he must answer and express his complete readiness to listen [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Following these instructions, Samuel goes back to his bed to prepare for the divine encounter. However, this is not merely a physical return to sleep. He goes back to the exact spiritual and conceptual state where he first lay in the sanctuary of God. Now, fully aware of what is happening, he consciously prepares himself to receive prophecy. This intentional readiness contrasts with his earlier attempts to sleep that night, which were ordinary moments of rest lacking this specific spiritual placement and preparation [מלבי״ם].