1 Samuel chapter 1.

The birth of Samuel

There was a certain man of Ramothaam Zofim of the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah,

the son of Jeroam, son of Ilihu, son of Tohu, son of Zouf, and Ephrothite. He had two wives.

The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Panina, and Panina had children,

but Hannah had no children. Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the

Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hoffney, and Phineas were priests of the Lord.

On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Pinina his wife and to all her sons

and daughters, but to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her,

though the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate

her because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to

the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore, Hannah wept and would not eat. And Alcana, her husband,

said to her, Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you

than ten sons? After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the

seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the

Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow

and said, O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me

and not forget your servant but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him

to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head."

As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.

Hannah was speaking in her heart, only her lips moved and her voice was not heard.

Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman, and Eli said to her,

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