Hannah prays for a son

Hannah lived with her husband, Elkanah. Elkanah also had a wife named Peninnah, who had children. Hannah had no children, and Peninnah kept provoking her about it. Year after year the family went to Shiloh to worship and offer sacrifices to the LORD. Hannah became so upset that she wept and could not eat.

At Shiloh, Hannah prayed quietly. Her lips moved, but no one could hear her voice. She asked the LORD for a son and promised that, if he gave her one, she would give the child to the LORD for his whole life. Eli the priest first thought Hannah was drunk. Hannah explained that she was deeply sad and had been pouring out her heart before the LORD. Eli then told her to go in peace and asked that God grant her request.

Later Hannah had a son and named him Samuel. After he was weaned, Hannah took him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. She reminded Eli that she was the woman who had prayed there, and she said the LORD had answered her prayer. Hannah kept her promise and brought Samuel to serve the LORD.

Then Hannah prayed with joy. She praised God as holy, wise and just, and as the One who can lift up the weak. Elkanah returned home, while Samuel stayed and ministered before Eli the priest.

The account begins with Elkanah and his household. Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. Each year Elkanah went from his city to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of hosts. Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests there. At the family meal connected with the sacrifice, Elkanah gave portions to his household and showed special care for Hannah. Peninnah, however, provoked Hannah because she had no children. The same pain returned year after year, and Hannah wept and could not eat.

While the family was at Shiloh, Hannah went to pray. She was deeply distressed and wept as she prayed. She asked the LORD for a son and made a vow: if God gave her a son, she would give him to the LORD all his life, and no razor would come upon his head. Hannah spoke in her heart. Her lips moved, but her voice was not heard.

Eli saw her and mistakenly thought she was drunk. Hannah answered respectfully that she had drunk no wine or strong drink. She said she was a woman of sorrowful spirit who had poured out her soul before the LORD. Eli then told her to go in peace and asked the God of Israel to grant her petition. Hannah left, ate, and was no longer sad.

In time Hannah gave birth to a son. She called him Samuel because she had asked him of the LORD. Hannah did not return to Shiloh until Samuel was weaned. Then she brought him, along with offerings, to the house of the LORD. She reminded Eli that she was the woman who had stood there praying and told him that God had granted her request. Hannah kept the vow she had made and dedicated Samuel to the LORD.

The passage then records Hannah's prayer of praise. She rejoiced in the LORD, spoke of God's holiness and knowledge, and described how he can reverse human circumstances by bringing down the strong and lifting up the weak. She looked ahead to the LORD's judgment and to strength given to his king and anointed. Afterward Elkanah went home to Ramah, while the child Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli.