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1 Samuel 1

1 Samuel 1

The big picture

1 Samuel 1 opens in verse 1 with “Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 14 with “And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.”, and closes in verse 28 with “Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD ; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, Hannah, Elkanah, child, handmaid. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

1 Samuel · King James Version · 28

1 Samuel 1:1-7

1–7: There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his…

1 Samuel 1:1–7 opens with “Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the…” and reaches “And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD , so she provoked her…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Hannah praying in deep distress at the sanctuary while Eli observes, followed by the child Samuel presented for service, with particular weight carried by LORD, Hannah, name.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah…” By verse 4, the text has turned to “And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her…” It lands on “And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD , so she provoked…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 2 stated contrasts, 4 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

The narrator makes meaning through who acts first, who responds, what changes, and which consequences remain. A reported action is not automatically an approved action. Words such as LORD, Hannah, name, Peninnah, children, Elkanah tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Hannah praying in deep distress at the sanctuary while Eli observes, followed by the child Samuel presented for service,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Hannah, Peninnah, Elkanah, Eli, Elihu, Ephraim. Its number language includes two, one. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 5: “But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: LORD, Hannah, name, Peninnah, children, Elkanah

Verse-by-verse path

  1. 1 Samuel 1:1

    “Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the…” Naming Elihu and Elkanah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  2. 1 Samuel 1:2

    “And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  3. 1 Samuel 1:3

    “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…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  4. 1 Samuel 1:4

    “And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters…” Naming Elkanah and Peninnah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  5. 1 Samuel 1:5

    “But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.” Naming Hannah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  6. 1 Samuel 1:6

    “And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.” The line’s distinctive content terms include adversary, fret, LORD. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

  7. 1 Samuel 1:7

    “And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD , so she provoked her; therefore she wept…” The line’s distinctive content terms include year, house, LORD. Its relationship to verses 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

1 Samuel 1:1-7

King James Version

1Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, 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 Ephrathite:

2And 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.

3And 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.

4And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

5But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.

6And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.

7And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD , so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

1 Samuel 1:8-14

8–14: Said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why…

1 Samuel 1:8–14 opens with “Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why…” and reaches “And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Hannah praying in deep distress at the sanctuary while Eli observes, followed by the child Samuel presented for service, with particular weight carried by LORD, handmaid, Hannah.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and…” By verse 11, the text has turned to “And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction…” It lands on “And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 4 verses with a speech marker, 2 questions, 2 stated contrasts, 4 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

The narrator makes meaning through who acts first, who responds, what changes, and which consequences remain. A reported action is not automatically an approved action. Words such as LORD, handmaid, Hannah, drunken, heart, affliction tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Hannah praying in deep distress at the sanctuary while Eli observes, followed by the child Samuel presented for service,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Eli, Hannah, Elkanah, Shiloh. Its number language includes ten. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 12: “And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD , that Eli marked her mouth.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: LORD, handmaid, Hannah, drunken, heart, affliction

Verse-by-verse path

  1. 1 Samuel 1:8

    “Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

  2. 1 Samuel 1:9

    “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…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

  3. 1 Samuel 1:10

    “And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD , and wept sore.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bitterness, LORD, prayed. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

  4. 1 Samuel 1:11

    “And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  5. 1 Samuel 1:12

    “And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD , that Eli marked her mouth.” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

  6. 1 Samuel 1:13

    “Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had…” Naming Eli and Hannah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  7. 1 Samuel 1:14

    “And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

1 Samuel 1:8-14

King James Version

8Then said Elkanah her husband to 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?

9So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD .

10And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD , and wept sore.

11And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

12And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD , that Eli marked her mouth.

13Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

14And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.

1 Samuel 1:15-21

15–21: Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful…

1 Samuel 1:15–21 opens with “And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk…” and reaches “And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Hannah praying in deep distress at the sanctuary while Eli observes, followed by the child Samuel presented for service, with particular weight carried by LORD, Hannah, asked.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk…” By verse 18, the text has turned to “And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did…” It lands on “And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 4 verses with a speech marker, 1 stated contrast, 5 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

The narrator makes meaning through who acts first, who responds, what changes, and which consequences remain. A reported action is not automatically an approved action. Words such as LORD, Hannah, asked, Elkanah, handmaid, house tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Hannah praying in deep distress at the sanctuary while Eli observes, followed by the child Samuel presented for service,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Hannah, Elkanah, Because, Belial, Count, Eli. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 17: “Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: LORD, Hannah, asked, Elkanah, handmaid, house

Verse-by-verse path

  1. 1 Samuel 1:15

    “And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong…” Naming Hannah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  2. 1 Samuel 1:16

    “Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken…” Naming Belial and Count keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  3. 1 Samuel 1:17

    “Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.” Naming Eli keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  4. 1 Samuel 1:18

    “And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance…” The line’s distinctive content terms include countenance, find, grace. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

  5. 1 Samuel 1:19

    “And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD , and returned, and came to their house to…” Naming Elkanah and Hannah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  6. 1 Samuel 1:20

    “Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

  7. 1 Samuel 1:21

    “And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.” Naming Elkanah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

1 Samuel 1:15-21

King James Version

15And 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 .

16Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

17Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

18And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

19And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD , and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.

20Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD .

21And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

1 Samuel 1:22-28

22–28: Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up…

1 Samuel 1:22–28 opens with “But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be…” and reaches “Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD ; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD …” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Hannah praying in deep distress at the sanctuary while Eli observes, followed by the child Samuel presented for service, with particular weight carried by LORD, child, weaned.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be…” By verse 25, the text has turned to “And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.” It lands on “Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD ; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 4 verses with a speech marker, 1 stated contrast, 6 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

The narrator makes meaning through who acts first, who responds, what changes, and which consequences remain. A reported action is not automatically an approved action. Words such as LORD, child, weaned, husband, lent, liveth tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Hannah praying in deep distress at the sanctuary while Eli observes, followed by the child Samuel presented for service,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Eli, Elkanah, Hannah, Shiloh. Its number language includes three, one. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 23: “And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: LORD, child, weaned, husband, lent, liveth

Verse-by-verse path

  1. 1 Samuel 1:22

    “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…” Naming Hannah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  2. 1 Samuel 1:23

    “And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD…” Naming Elkanah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  3. 1 Samuel 1:24

    “And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  4. 1 Samuel 1:25

    “And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.” Naming Eli keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  5. 1 Samuel 1:26

    “And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD .” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, here, liveth. Its relationship to verses 25 and 27 shows what work it does in this passage.

  6. 1 Samuel 1:27

    “For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

  7. 1 Samuel 1:28

    “Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD ; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD . And he worshipped the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

1 Samuel 1:22-28

King James Version

22But 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 the LORD , and there abide for ever.

23And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

24And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.

25And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

26And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD .

27For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

28Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD ; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD . And he worshipped the LORD there.

Questions to keep in mind while reading

  1. Track who acts, who speaks, who is affected, and what changes.
  2. Notice repeated promises, failures, rescues, and consequences.
  3. Do not assume the narrator approves every action that is reported.

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.

Questions beneath the surface

  1. What account of God, human freedom, responsibility, and the good life emerges from 1 Samuel 1?
  2. Which tension does the chapter refuse to resolve quickly?
  3. What changes when the chapter is read as part of the whole canon rather than as an isolated moral story?
  4. Where might a sincere reader confuse a familiar tradition with something the text states directly?

Questions for serious personal contemplation

These open-ended questions make room for tension, honest response, prayer, and conclusions that remain accountable to the chapter.

Observe without rushing

  1. What part of 1 Samuel 1 makes you stop, feel unsettled, or feel surprised, and why?

  2. Which detail in the passage would be easiest to overlook? How does that detail change your understanding?

  3. Where do you see tension between what happens and this focus: Hannah praying in deep distress at the sanctuary while Eli observes, followed by the child Samuel presented for service?

  4. What important question does the passage leave open instead of resolving quickly?

Examine your inner life honestly

  1. Which person, response, fear, or desire in the passage feels most like your own life right now?

  2. What assumption about God, other people, or yourself does this text challenge?

  3. Which part would you rather soften, avoid, or explain away too quickly? What might that reaction reveal?

  4. If this Scripture could ask you one direct question, what do you think it would ask?

Respond with wisdom and courage

  1. What do you need to remember, confess, grieve, thank God for, or trust after reading this passage?

  2. How might another faithful person read this situation differently without ignoring the text?

  3. What obedient response would be costly, uncomfortable, or slow, yet still faithful to Scripture?

  4. What question will you carry into prayer this week, and which verses will you keep in front of you?