A frequent misinterpretation is to take it as evidence that Samuel was utterly ignorant of God's existence or identity, ignoring his lifelong immersion in priestly service and instruction about Yahweh from infancy; rather, it specifies his lack of personal recognition of God's voice or direct word. Another error is to infer that God withholds revelation from the young or inexperienced, whereas the passage leads directly into God sovereignly choosing to speak to Samuel at this very juncture, demonstrating divine initiative irrespective of human readiness.
I Samuel 3:7
King James Version (1769)
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.
This verse underscores Samuel's initial spiritual naivety despite his dedicated service in the tabernacle under Eli; he had not yet experienced a personal encounter with the Lord or received direct revelation from Him, illustrating that proximity to sacred duties and religious instruction does not automatically confer intimate knowledge of God, and it sets the stage for the pivotal moment when God calls Samuel by name, initiating his prophetic ministry.