| 1 Now 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: 2 and he
had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of other
Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 And
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. 4 And when the day came
that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons
and her daughters, portions: 5 but unto Hannah he gave a double portion;
for he loved Hannah, but Jehovah had shut up her womb. 6 And her rival
provoked her sore, to make her fret, because Jehovah had shut up her womb.
7 And 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. 8 And
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?
9 So 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. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto
Jehovah, and wept sore. 11 And 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.
12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before Jehovah, that Eli
marked her mouth. 13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips
moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been
drunken. 14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away
thy wine from thee. 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
I poured out my soul before Jehovah. 16 Count not thy handmaid for a
wicked woman; for out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation
have I spoken hitherto. 17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace; and
the God of Israel grant thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 18 And
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.
19 And 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. 20 And 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.
21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto Jehovah
the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. 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 Jehovah, and there abide for
ever. 23 And 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. 24 And 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. 25 And they slew the bullock, and brought
the child to Eli. 26 And she said, Oh, my lord, as thy soul liveth, my
lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto Jehovah. 27 For
this child I prayed; and Jehovah hath given me my petition which I asked of
him: 28 therefore also I have granted him to Jehovah; as long as he liveth
he is granted to Jehovah. And he worshipped Jehovah there.
Genesis - Public
Domain
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