1 Samuel 1

1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of Mount Efrayim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Yerocham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite.

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

3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto N8a יהוה of hosts (YHWH Tsevaot) in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests (kohanim) of יהוה, were there.

4 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions.

5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah; but יהוה had shut up her womb.

6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because יהוה had shut up her womb.

7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of יהוה, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, “Hannah, why weepest you? And why eatest you not? And why is your heart grieved? Am not I better to you than ten sons?”

9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest (kohen) sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of יהוה.

10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto יהוה, and wept sore.

11 And she vowed a vow, and said, “O יהוה of host (YHWH Tsevaot), if You wilt indeed look on the affliction of Your handmaid, and remember me, and not forget Your handmaid, but wilt give unto Your handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto יהוה all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.”

12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before יהוה, that Eli marked her mouth.

13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

14 And Eli said unto her, “How long wilt you be drunken? Put away your wine from you.”

15 And Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord (adoni), I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before יהוה.

16 Count not your handmaid for a scoundrel (beliyaal) daughter; for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken until now.”

17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace; and the God of Israel (Elohei Yisrael) grant you your petition that you have asked of Him.”

18 And she said, “Let your handmaid find grace in your sight.” So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before יהוה, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah; and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and יהוה remembered her.

20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name N36Samuel (Shemuel), saying, “Because I have asked him of יהוה.”

21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto יהוה the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

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

23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, “Do what seemeth you good; tarry until you have weaned him; only יהוה establish His word.” So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of יהוה in Shiloh; and the child was young.

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

26 And she said, “Oh my lord (adoni), as your soul liveth, my lord (adoni), I am the woman that stood by you here, praying unto יהוה.

27 For this child I prayed; and יהוה hath given me my petition which I asked of Him.

28 Therefore also I have lent him to יהוה; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to יהוה.” And he worshipped יהוה there.