1 Samuel 1:1-18 - The Family Of Elkanah

¹ Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite: 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 the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, 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 the LORD had shut up her womb. ⁶ And her adversary also provoked her severely to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. ⁷ And as year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. ⁸ Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weep you? and why eat 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 sat upon a seat by a door post of the temple of the LORD. ¹⁰ And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept bitterly. ¹¹ And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid, and remember me, and not forget your handmaid, but will give unto your handmaid a male child, then I will give him unto the LORD 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 the LORD, that Eli observed her mouth. ¹³ Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunk. ¹⁴ And Eli said unto her, How long will you be drunk? put away your wine from you.

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. ¹⁶ Count not your handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I been speaking.

¹⁷ Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel 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.