1 Samuel Chapter 1

1There was a man of one of the two Ramathaim Zophim, of mount Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.

2And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

3And this man went up out of his city every year, to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh, where were the two sons of Eli, Hophni, and Phinehas, Priests of the Lord.

4And on a day, when Elkanah sacrificed, he gave to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters portions,

5But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion: for he loved Hannah, and the Lord had made her barren.

6And her adversary vexed her sore, forasmuch as she upbraided her, because the Lord had made her barren.

7(And so did he year by year) and as oft as she went up to the house of the Lord, thus she vexed her, that she wept and did not eat.

8Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thine heart troubled? am not I better to thee than ten sons?

9So Hannah rose up after that they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh (and Eli the Priest sat upon a stool by one of the posts of the Temple of the Lord)

10And she was troubled in her mind, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore:

11Also she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt look on the trouble of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but give unto thine handmaid a man-child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

12And as she continued praying before the Lord, Eli marked her mouth.

13For Hannah spake in her heart: her lips did move only, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

14And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? Put away thy drunkenness from thee.

15Then Hannah answered and said, Nay my lord, but I am a woman troubled in spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.

16Count not thine handmaid for a wicked woman: for of the abundance of my complaint and my grief have I spoken hitherto.

17Then Eli answered, and said, Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

18She said again, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight: so the woman went her way, and did eat, and looked no more sad.

19Then they rose up early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah. Now Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her.

20For in process of time Hannah conceived and bare a son, and she called his name Samuel, Because, said she, I have asked him of the Lord.

21So the man Elkanah and all his house, went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly sacrifice and his vow:

22But Hannah went not up: for she said unto her husband, I will tarry until the child be weaned, then I will bring him that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide forever.

23And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee best: tarry until thou hast weaned him: only the Lord accomplish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

24And when she had weaned him, she took him with her with three bullocks and an Ephah of flour and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh, and the child was young.

25And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

26And she said, Oh my Lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood with thee here praying unto the Lord.

27I prayed for this child, and the Lord hath given me my desire which I asked of him.

28Therefore also I have given him unto the Lord: as long as he liveth he shall be given unto the Lord: and he worshipped the Lord there.