1 Samuel Chapter 1
Conversational Yahveh Covenant
The Birth of Samuel
1 Elkanah was from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham Ben-Elihu (Ben-Tohu Ben-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 Yahveh 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 Yahveh 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 Yahveh’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 Yahveh’s Tabernacle. 10 She was distressed, and prayed and cried bitterly. 11 She took a vow,
“Yahveh of hosts, if you’ll look on my grief and give me a son, I’ll give him to youY 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 Yahveh. 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 Yahveh’s presence and went back to Ramah. Elkanah had relations with Hannah, and Yahveh remembered her. 20 In due time, she had a son and named him Samuel, “Because I’ve ‘asked’ Yahveh 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 Yahveh to stay there.”
23 Elkanah said, “Do what you think’s best. Wait till you’ve weaned him. May Yahveh 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 Yahveh’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 Yahveh. 27 I prayed for this boy, and Yahveh gave me what I asked for. 28 I’ve dedicated him to Yahveh for as long as he lives.
He worshiped Yahveh there.
1 Sam 1:21-28