Chapter 1
1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the hill country of Ephraim , and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham , the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu , the son of Zuph , an Ephraimite.
2 He had two wives. The name of one was Hannah , and the name of the other Peninnah . Peninnah had children , but Hannah had no children .
3 This man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice to Yahweh of Armies in Shiloh . The two sons of Eli , Hophni and Phinehas , priests to Yahweh , were there .
4 When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed , he gave portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and her daughters ;
5 but he gave a double portion to Hannah , for he loved Hannah , but Yahweh had shut up her womb .
6 Her rival provoked her severely, to irritate her , because Yahweh had shut up her womb .
7 So year by year , when she went up to Yahweh ’s house , her rival provoked her . Therefore she wept , and didn’t eat.
8 Elkanah her husband said to her , " Hannah , why do you weep ? Why don’t you eat? Why is your heart grieved ? Am I not better to you than ten sons ?"
9 So Hannah rose up after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh . Now Eli the priest was sitting on his seat by the doorpost of Yahweh ’s temple .
10 She was in bitterness of soul , and prayed to Yahweh , weeping bitterly .
11 She vowed a vow , and said, " Yahweh of Armies , if you will indeed look at the affliction of your servant and remember me , and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a boy, then I will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life , and no razor shall come on his head ."
12 As she continued praying before Yahweh , Eli saw her mouth .
13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart . Only her lips moved , but her voice was not heard . Therefore Eli thought she was drunk .
14 Eli said to her , " How long will you be drunk ? Get rid of your wine !"
15 Hannah answered , " No , my lord , I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit . I have not been drinking wine or strong drink , but I poured out my soul before Yahweh .
16 Don’t consider your servant a wicked woman ; for I have been speaking out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation ."
17 Then Eli answered , " Go in peace ; and may the God " (Elohim). of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him ."
18 She said, " Let your servant find favor in your sight ." So the woman went her way and ate; and her facial expression wasn’t sad any more .
19 They rose up in the morning early and worshiped Yahweh , then returned and came to their house to Ramah . Then Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and Yahweh remembered her .
20 When the time had come , Hannah conceived , and bore a son ; and she named him Samuel , saying, " Because I have asked him of Yahweh ."
21 The man Elkanah, and all his house , went up to offer to Yahweh the yearly sacrifice and his vow .
22 But Hannah didn’t go up , for she said to her husband, " Not until the child is weaned ; then I will bring him , that he may appear before Yahweh , and stay there forever ."
23 Elkanah her husband said to her , " Do what seems good to you . Wait until you have weaned him ; only may Yahweh establish his word ." So the woman waited and nursed her son until she weaned him .
24 When she had weaned him , she took him up with her, with three bulls , and one ephah of meal , and a container of wine , and brought him to Yahweh ’s house in Shiloh . The child was young .
25 They killed the bull , and brought the child to Eli .
26 She said, "Oh, my lord , as your soul lives , my lord , I am the woman who stood by you here , praying to Yahweh .
27 I prayed for this child , and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of him .
28 Therefore I have also given him to Yahweh . As long as he lives he is given to Yahweh ." He worshiped Yahweh there .