1 Samuel Chapter 1

The Birth of Samuel

¹ Elkanah was from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham son of Elihu (son of Tohu son of Zuph), an Ephraimite. ² He had two wives: Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children but Hannah didn’t.

³ He went up to Shiloh every year to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts. Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests there. ⁴ When Elkanah sacrificed, he’d give portions to Peninnah and her sons and daughters; ⁵ but he’d give Hannah a double portion because he loved her. But the LORD had closed her womb, ⁶ and her rival would bully her mercilessly about it ⁷ year after year. As often as she went up to the LORD’s Tabernacle, Peninnah would torment her. She’d cry and wouldn’t eat. ⁸ Elkanah asked her, “Hannah, why are you crying and not eating? Why are you sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”

1 Sam 1:1-8

⁹ Hannah got up after the meal, while Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the LORD’S Tabernacle. ¹⁰ She was distressed, and prayed and cried bitterly. ¹¹ She took a vow,

“LORD of Hosts, if you’ll look on my grief and give me a son, I’ll give him to you all his life. He’ll never shave his head.”

¹² Eli was watching her mouth as she prayed. ¹³ Her lips were moving, but she wasn’t making any sound. Eli thought she was drunk.

¹⁴ “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away.” 

¹⁵ “No, my lord, I’m depressed. I haven’t drunk wine or alcohol. I’m pouring out my heart to the LORD. ¹⁶ Don’t consider me some worthless woman. I’ve been speaking out of my great anguish and distress.”

¹⁷ “May God grant your petition.”

¹⁸ “Be gracious to me.” So she went away and ate and wasn’t sad anymore.

¹⁹ They got up early and worshiped in the LORD’s presence and went back to Ramah. Elkanah had relations with Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. ²⁰ In due time, she had a son and named him Samuel, “Because I’ve ‘asked’ the LORD for him.”           

1 Sam 1:9-20

Hannah Dedicates Samuel

            ²¹ Elkanah went up with his whole family to offer the yearly sacrifice and pay his vow. ²² But Hannah wouldn’t go, “I won’t go till I’ve weaned him. Then I’ll present him to the LORD to stay there.”  

²³ Elkanah said, “Do what you think’s best. Wait till you’ve weaned him. May the LORD confirm his word.”

She stayed and nursed him till she weaned him. ²⁴ Then she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, 1.1 bushel ^{1 ephah} of flour, and a skin of wine. She took him to the LORD’s Tabernacle in Shiloh even though the child was so young. ²⁵ They butchered the bull and took the boy to Eli. ²⁶ She said,

“As sure as you’re alive, Sir, I’m the woman that stood here beside you, praying to the LORD. ²⁷ I prayed for this boy, and the LORD gave me what I asked for. ²⁸ I’ve dedicated him to the LORD for as long as he lives.”