The Birth of Samuel

1A certain man lived in Ramathaim-zophim, which is in the hill country of Ephraim. He was Jeroham’s son Elkanah, the grandson of Elihu and grandson of Tohu, who was the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2He had two wives; the name of one was Hannah and the name of the other was Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3That man would go up from his town each year to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of the Heavenly Armies at Shiloh, where Eli’s two sons Hophni and Phineas served as priests of the LORD. 4On the day when Elkanah offered sacrifices, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters, 5but he would give twice as much to Hannah because he loved her.

Now the LORD had closed her womb. 6Her rival would provoke her severely so that she complained loudlya because the LORD had closed her womb. 7Elkanahb would do this year after year, as often as Hannahc went up to the house of the LORD. Likewise, Peninnahd would provoke her, and Hannahe would cry and would not eat. 8Elkanah her husband told her, “Hannah, why are you crying and why don’t you eat? Why are you upset?f Am I not better to you than ten sons?”

9Hannah got up after she had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the chair by the doorpost of the tentg of the LORD. 10Deeply distressed, she prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. 11Hannahh made a vow: “LORD of the Heavenly Armies, if you just look at the misery of your maid servant, remember me, and don’t forget your maid servant. If you give your maid servant a son,i then I’ll give him to the LORDj for all the days of his life,k and a razor is never to touchl his head.”

12As she continued to pray in the LORD’s presence, Eli was watching her mouth. 13Hannahm was praying inwardly.n Her lips were quivering, and her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. 14Eli told her, “How long will you stay drunk? Put away your wine!”

15“No, sir!”o Hannah replied. “I’m a deeply troubledp woman. I’ve drunk neither wine nor beer. I’ve been pouring out my soul in the LORD’s presence. 16Don’t consider your maid servant a worthless woman. Rather, all this time I’ve been speaking because I’m very anxious and distressed.”

17“Go in peace,” Eli answered. “May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.”

18She said, “Let your servantq find favor in your eyes.” Then sher went on her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.s

19They got up early the next morning and worshipped in the LORD’s presence, and then they returned and came to their house at Ramah. Elkanah had marital relations witht his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. 20By the time of the next year’s sacrifice,u Hannah had become pregnant and had borne a son. She named him Samuelv because she said,w “I asked the LORD for him.”

Hannah Dedicates Samuel to the LORD

21Then Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the yearly sacrifice to the LORD and pay his vow. 22Hannah did not go up because she had told her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I’ll take him to appear in the LORD’s presence and remain therex forever.y

23“Do what you want,”z Elkanah told her. “Stay until you have weaned him, only may the LORD bring about what you’ve said.”aa So Hannahbb stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him. 24Then, when she had weaned him, she brought himcc up with her to Shiloh,dd along with a three-year-old bull,ee an ephahff of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh, and the boygg was young.hh 25They slaughtered the bull and brought the boyii to Eli.

26Hannahjj said, “Sir,kk as surely as you are alive, I’m the woman who stood before you here praying to the LORD. 27I prayed for this boy, and the LORD granted me the request I asked of him. 28Nowll I’m dedicatingmm him to the LORD, and as long as he lives,nn he will be dedicatedoo to the LORD.” Then they worshippedpp the LORD there.