How did Samuel first receive a message from Yahweh as a boy?

As a youth of approximately 12 years old, Samuel received his first revelation from Yahweh while sleeping in the shrine at Shiloh at night.1

Samuel heard his name being called and went to the priest Eli three times, believing it was Eli calling him. It was only at Eli’s suggestion that Samuel finally responded to Yahweh. The message revealed to the boy concerned the impending fall of the house of Eli, which Samuel then hesitantly shared with the priest. Following this significant religious experience, Samuel’s reputation as a prophet of Yahweh grew.1