1Now 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: 2and 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 . 3And this man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice unto Jehovah of hosts in Shiloh . And the two sons of Eli , Hophni and Phinehas , priests unto Jehovah , were there . 4And when the day came that Elkanah sacrificed , he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters , portions : 5but unto Hannah he gave a double portion ; for he loved Hannah , but Jehovah had shut up her womb . 6And her rival provoked her sore , to make her fret , because Jehovah had shut up her womb . 7And as he did so year by year , when she went up to the house of Jehovah , so she provoked her ; therefore she wept , and did not eat. 8And Elkanah her husband said unto 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 ? 9So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh , and after they had drunk . Now Eli the priest was sitting upon his seat by the door-post of the temple of Jehovah . 10And she was in bitterness of soul , and prayed unto Jehovah , and wept sore .
Hannah's Vow and Eli's Response
11And she vowed a vow , and said, O Jehovah of hosts , if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thy handmaid, and remember me , and not forget thy handmaid, but wilt give unto thy handmaid a man-child, then I will give him unto Jehovah all the days of his life , and there shall no razor come upon his head . 12And it came to pass , as she continued praying before Jehovah , that Eli marked her mouth . 13Now Hannah , she spake in her heart ; only her lips moved , but her voice was not heard : therefore Eli thought she had been drunken . 14And Eli said unto her , How long wilt thou be drunken ? put away thy wine from thee. 15And Hannah answered and said , No , my lord , I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit : I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink , but I poured out my soul before Jehovah . 16Count not thy handmaid for a wicked woman ; for out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation have I spoken hitherto . 17Then Eli answered and said , Go in peace ; and the God of Israel grant thy petition that thou hast asked of him . 18And she said, Let thy handmaid find favor in thy sight . So the woman went her way , and did eat; and her countenance was no more sad .
God's Answer and Samuel's Birth
19And they rose up in the morning early , and worshipped before Jehovah , and returned , and came to their house to Ramah . And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and Jehovah remembered her ; 20and it came to pass , when the time was come about , that Hannah conceived , and bare a son ; and she called his name Samuel , saying , Because I have asked him of Jehovah . 21And the man Elkanah, and all his house , went up to offer unto Jehovah the yearly sacrifice , and his vow . 22But 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 Jehovah , and there abide for ever . 23And Elkanah her husband said unto her , Do what seemeth thee good ; tarry until thou have weaned him ; only Jehovah establish his word . So the woman tarried and gave her son suck , until she weaned him . 24And when she had weaned him , she took him up with her, with three bullocks , and one ephah of meal , and a bottle of wine , and brought him unto the house of Jehovah in Shiloh : and the child was young . 25And they slew the bullock , and brought the child to Eli . 26And she said, Oh, my lord , as thy soul liveth , my lord , I am the woman that stood by thee here , praying unto Jehovah . 27For this child I prayed ; and Jehovah hath given me my petition which I asked of him : 28therefore also I have granted him to Jehovah ; as long as he liveth he is granted to Jehovah . And he worshipped Jehovah there .