The First Book of Samuel

1Sa 1:1 Now there was a certain man of Ra-math-a´-im–zo´-phim, of mount E´-phra-im, and his name was El´-ka-nah, the son of Jer´-o-ham, the son of E-li´-hu, the son of To´-hu, the son of Zuph, an Eph´-rath-ite:

1Sa 1:2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Pe-nin´-nah: and Pe-nin´nah had children, but Hannah had no children.

1Sa 1:3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shi´-loh. And the two sons of E´-li, Hoph´-ni and Phin´-e-has, the priests of the Lord, were there.

1Sa 1:4 And when the time was that El´ka-nah offered, he gave to Pe-nin´-nah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

1Sa 1:5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb.

1Sa 1:6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb.

1Sa 1:7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

1Sa 1:8 Then said El´-ka-nah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?

1Sa 1:9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shi´-loh, and after they had drunk. Now E´-li the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord.

1Sa 1:10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.

1Sa 1:11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if Thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of Thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget Thine handmaid, but wilt give unto Thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

1Sa 1:12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that E´-li marked her mouth.

1Sa 1:13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore E´-li thought she had been drunken.

1Sa 1:14 And E´-li said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.

1Sa 1:15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.

1Sa 1:16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Be´-li-al: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

1Sa 1:17 Then E´-li answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of Him.

1Sa 1:18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find power in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

1Sa 1:19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ra´-mah: and El´-ka-nah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her.

1Sa 1:20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.

1Sa 1:21 And the man El´-ka-nah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

1Sa 1:22 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 the Lord, and there abide for ever.

1Sa 1:23 And El´-ka-nah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the Lord establish His word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

1Sa 1:24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one e´-phah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shi´loh: and the child was young.

1Sa 1:25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to E´-li.

1Sa 1:26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord.

1Sa 1:27 For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him:

1Sa 1:28 Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.