Hannah Prays to the Lord for a Son |
1 Samuel 1:1-28 The Book of 1 Samuel [in Smaller Chunks] |
Now, there was a man of Ramathaim Zophim [from] Mount Ephraim & his name was Elkanah, [Jeroham’s] son, [who was] the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, [who was] the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. |
He had 2 wives [named] Hannah & Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah [didn’t have] children. [Elkanah] went up out of his city yearly to worship & sacrifice to the Lord of Hosts in Shiloh. |
The 2 sons of Eli: Hophni & Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there. When [it] was time [for] Elkanah [to offer,] he gave to Peninnah, his wife & her sons & daughters portions [of food,] but to Hannah, he gave an [double] portion. |
For [Elkanah] loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut her womb. Her adversary [Peninnah] provoked her [severely,] to make her [worry,] because the Lord had shut up her womb. |
And as [Elkanah] went to the house of the Lord, [each year,] [Peninnah] provoked [Hannah.] Therefore [Hannah cried] & didn’t eat. Her husband, Elkanah [asked] her, Hannah, why [are] you [crying] & not eating? Why is your heart grieved? |
Aren’t I better to you than 10 sons? So Hannah rose up after they had eaten & [had something to] drink in Shiloh. Now, Eli, the priest, sat by a [doorpost in] the temple of the Lord. [Hannah’s] soul was [bitterly distraught] & [she] prayed to the Lord & [sorely] wept. |
She [made] a vow & said, O Lord of Hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your handmaid & remember me & not forget Your handmaid & will give Your handmaid a [male] child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life & no razor shall come upon his head. |
As she continued praying before the Lord, it [happened] that Eli [noticed] her mouth. Now, Hannah spoke [silently] in her heart, [but] only her lips moved, [so] Eli thought she [was drunk.] |
And Eli said to her, How long will you [continue to be drunk?] Put the wine away from you. Hannah answered & said, No, my lord, I am a woman with a sorrowful spirit. |
I haven’t drunk wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. [Don’t consider me] as a [wicked] woman. For out of the abundance of my [sorrow] & grief I have [been speaking.] |
Then, Eli answered & said, Go in peace & [may] the God of Israel grant you your [request] that you [have] asked of Him. [Hannah] said, Let your handmaid find grace in your sight. So, [she] went her way & ate & she no [longer looked] sad. |
They rose up in the morning early & worshiped before the Lord & returned to their house [in] Ramah. Elkanah [was intimate with] Hannah, his wife & the Lord remembered her. |
It happened,] after Hannah had conceived & [bore] a son, his name was called Samuel, saying, Because I have asked [for] him [from] the Lord. Elkanah & all his [family,] went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice & [fulfill] his vow, but Hannah [didn’t go] up. |
She said to her husband, I won’t go up until the child [is] weaned & then I will bring him, [so]he may appear before the Lord & [he shall stay there] forever. Elkannah said, Do what seems good [to] you. |
[Wait] until you’ve weaned him & only [let] the Lord establish His Word. So, [Hannah stayed & nursed him] until she weaned him. When she had weaned him, she took [Samuel] up with her & 3 [bulls,] 1 ephah of flour & a bottle of wine & brought them to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. The child was young. They [killed] a bull] & brought the child to Eli. |
[Hannah] said, Oh my lord, as my soul lives, I am the woman [who] stood by you here, praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child & the Lord has given me my [request that] I asked of Him. |
Therefore I have also lent [my son] to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be lent to the Lord. And [Samuel] worshiped the Lord there. |