1 Samuel1

Elkanah, a man of Ephraim, had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Hannah was barren and deeply distressed, especially by Peninnah's provocation. She prayed fervently at Shiloh, vowing to dedicate any son granted to her to the Lord's service. The Lord remembered Hannah, and she conceived and bore a son, whom she named Samuel. After weaning him, she faithfully brought Samuel to Shiloh and presented him to Eli, dedicating him to the Lord as promised.
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Elkanah and His Family at Ramah

1
Now there was a man named Elkanah who was from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. ​
2
He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. ​
3
Year after year Elkanah would go up from his city to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts at Shiloh, where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD. ​
4
And whenever the day came for Elkanah to present his sacrifice, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters.
5
But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb. ​
6
Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her and taunt her viciously. ​
7
And this went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival taunted her until she wept and would not eat.
8
“Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband Elkanah asked. “Why won’t you eat? Why is your heart so grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” ​

Hannah’s Vow and Prayer

9
So after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. ​
10
In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears.
11
And she made a vow, pleading, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever come over his head.” ​
12
As Hannah kept on praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth.
13
Hannah was praying in her heart, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was drunk ​
14
and said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put away your wine!”
15
“No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman oppressed in spirit. I have not had any wine or strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD. ​
16
Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; for all this time I have been praying out of the depth of my anguish and grief.”
17
“Go in peace,” Eli replied, “and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him.” ​
18
“May your maidservant find favor with you,” said Hannah. Then she went on her way, and she began eating again, and her face was no longer downcast.

God Grants Hannah a Son

19
The next morning Elkanah and Hannah got up early to bow in worship before the LORD, and then returned home to Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. ​
20
So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.” ​
21
Then Elkanah and all his house went up to make the annual sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vow,

Dedication of Samuel to the Lord

22
but Hannah did not go. “After the boy is weaned,” she said to her husband, “I will take him to appear before the LORD and to stay there permanently.” ​
23
“Do what you think is best,” her husband Elkanah replied, “and stay here until you have weaned him. Only may the LORD confirm His word.” So Hannah stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him.
24
Once she had weaned him, Hannah took the boy with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. Though the boy was still young, she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. ​
25
And when they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli.
26
“Please, my lord,” said Hannah, “as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. ​
27
I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him,
28
I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there. ​

Study Notes for 1 Samuel 1

Verse 1

Elkanah is introduced as a Levite residing in the hill country of Ephraim (Levites did not have tribal land). His lineage establishes his connection to the region and sets the stage for the narrative.

Verse 2

Polygamy was permissible but often resulted in severe domestic tension, as seen here. Hannah’s barrenness sets the central conflict of the story and necessitates divine intervention.

Verse 3

Shiloh was the central location for worship in Israel before the monarchy, housing the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant. The mention of Eli’s wicked sons, Hophni and Phinehas, subtly foreshadows the decline of the priesthood.

Verse 5

Elkanah shows his love for Hannah by giving her a 'worthy portion' (literally a 'double portion' or 'one portion of sorrow'). The text explicitly states her barrenness was controlled by God, emphasizing divine sovereignty over life.

Verse 6

Peninnah’s provocation was cruel and deliberate, aimed at making Hannah 'fret' or feel worthless. This rivalry highlights the intense social and spiritual shame associated with childlessness in ancient Israel.

Verse 8

Elkanah’s attempt to comfort Hannah is loving but ultimately inadequate. He fails to grasp the depth of her spiritual pain and her desire to fulfill her role as a mother under the covenant.

Verse 9

The 'temple' here refers to the Tabernacle complex at Shiloh. Eli is introduced in his official capacity as the high priest, sitting near the entrance.

Verse 11

Hannah makes a solemn conditional vow: if God grants her a son, she will dedicate him entirely to lifelong service. The condition 'no razor come upon his head' indicates the child would be a permanent Nazirite (Numbers 6).

Verse 13

Silent prayer, involving movement of the lips but no audible sound, was uncommon and led to Eli’s immediate misunderstanding. This scene emphasizes the intensely personal nature of Hannah’s petition.

Verse 15

Hannah defends herself by defining her action as 'pouring out [her] soul before the LORD,' an expression of profound spiritual distress rather than intoxication. This response demonstrates both piety and boldness.

Verse 17

Eli’s blessing transforms the situation. Moving from misplaced condemnation to a pronouncement of peace, the high priest affirms the validity of Hannah’s prayer, leading to an immediate change in her disposition (v. 18).

Verse 19

The theological phrase 'the LORD remembered her' signifies God’s active intervention, reversing the earlier condition (v. 5) to fulfill His purpose through Hannah.

Verse 20

Samuel (Hebrew: *Shemu’el*) is interpreted here as meaning 'asked of God,' directly linking his name to the miraculous answer to Hannah’s fervent prayer and vow.

Verse 22

Hannah delays fulfilling her vow until Samuel is fully weaned (a process often lasting two to three years in ancient Israel). She intends for him to remain in Shiloh permanently, serving the Lord.

Verse 24

The substantial nature of the offerings (three bullocks) reflects the gravity of the dedication ceremony and the immense value Hannah placed on fulfilling her vow to God.

Verse 26

Hannah reminds Eli of their previous encounter, confirming that the baby she now presents is the direct result of the specific petition Eli had blessed, underscoring the miraculous nature of Samuel’s birth.

Verse 28

Hannah fulfills the terms of her vow completely, dedicating Samuel back to the Lord for the entirety of his life. This act of giving up her son becomes the model of faithful obedience that launches Samuel’s prophetic career.

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