1 Samuel 1

A Woman with a Heavy Heart

1 There was a man named Elkanah who lived in Ramah, up in the hill country of Ephraim. He was from a family line that included Jeroham, Elihu, Tohu, and Zuph, all from Ephraim.

2 He had two wives. One was Hannah. The other was Peninnah. Peninnah had kids, but Hannah did not have none.

3 Every year, Elkanah would take his people to Shiloh to worship and offer sacrifices to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. The priests there were Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas.

4 Whenever Elkanah made an offering, he gave portions of meat to Peninnah and her kids.

5 But to Hannah, he gave a double portion, because he loved her, even though the Lord had not given her any children.

6 But Peninnah would throw shade at her, rubbing it in, mocking her for not having kids.

7 This went on year after year. Every time they went to Shiloh, Peninnah would taunt her so bad that Hannah would cry and not eat.

8 Elkanah tried to comfort her, saying, “Why are you crying, Why you not eating, Why you so down, Are I not better than ten sons?”

Hannah’s Prayer

9 After they ate and drank, Hannah got up. Eli the priest was sitting on his chair near the entrance of the Lord’s house.

10 Hannah was crushed inside, she cried out to the Lord, praying hard.

11 She made a vow: “Lord Almighty, if You look at me, see my pain and remember me, if You bless me with a son, I will give him back to You for life. No razor will ever touch his head.”

12 She kept praying so long, Eli was watching her mouth.

13 She was praying from the heart, lips moving, but no sound. Eli thought she was drunk.

14 He said, “How long are you going to be acting like that, Put the wine away!”

15 Hannah said, “No, sir. I am not drunk. I am just a woman with a heavy heart, pouring it out before the Lord.”

16 “Do not think I am some kinda wild woman. I been praying out of pain and frustration.”

17 Eli answered, “Go in peace. May the God of Israel give you what you asked for.”

18 She said, “Thank you, sir.” Then she went and ate, her whole vibe changed.

God Answers

19 The next morning, they got up early, worshiped the Lord, then headed back home to Ramah. Elkanah slept with Hannah, and the Lord remembered her prayer.

20 In time, she got pregnant and had a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

Hannah Keeps Her Word

21 When Elkanah went back to Shiloh with his family to offer the yearly sacrifice and keep his vow,

22 Hannah did not go. She said, “Once the boy’s weaned, I will take him to Shiloh so he can live before the Lord forever.”

23 Elkanah said, “Do what you think is best. Stay here until he is ready, and may the Lord make good on His word.” So she stayed home and nursed her son.

Samuel Given to the Lord

24 When the boy was weaned, she took him up to Shiloh with a three-year-old bull, some flour, and wine.

25 They sacrificed the bull, then brought the boy to Eli.

26 She said, “Pardon me, sir. I am the woman who stood here praying to the Lord.”

27 “I prayed for this child, and the Lord gave me what I asked.”

28 “So now I give him back to the Lord. For his whole life, he belongs to God.” And they worshiped the Lord right there.