Yahweh came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel said, Speak; for your servant hears.
This passage reveals an appearance of the Lord to Samuel in an objective sense.  This was NOT a dream, because, "Samuel rises and runs to Eli after each of the first three calls."[19]  The appearance of the Lord here, was something more than a voice; "There was an objective presence; because in  1 Samuel 3:15 it is called not [~chazown] (a sight seen when in a state of ecstasy), but [~mar'ah] (something seen when wide awake, and in full, calm possession of every faculty)."[20]  The mention of "vision"  (1 Samuel 3:15) does not nullify this.