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.

Elkanah and His Family at Ramah

There was a man from Ramatayim-Tzofim, in the hills of Efrayim, whose name was Elkanah the son of Yerocham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tochu, the son of Tzuf, from Efrat.

He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other P'ninah. P'ninah had children, but Hannah had no children.

This man went up from his city every year to worship and sacrifice to ADONAI-Tzva'ot in Shiloh. The two sons of 'Eli, Hofni and Pinchas, were cohanim of ADONAI there.

One day, when Elkanah was sacrificing, he gave a portion of the sacrifice to his wife P'ninah and portions to each of her sons and daughters;

but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved Hannah, even though ADONAI had kept her from having children.

Her rival taunted her and made her feel bad, because ADONAI had kept her from having children.

He did the same every year; and each time she went up to the house of ADONAI, she taunted her so much that she would cry and not eat.

Her husband Elkanah said to her, "Hannah, why are you crying, and why aren't you eating? Why be so sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"

Hannah’s Vow and Prayer

So Hannah got up after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. 'Eli the cohen was sitting on his seat by the doorpost of the temple of ADONAI.

In deep depression she prayed to ADONAI and cried.

Then she took a vow; she said, "ADONAI-Tzva'ot, if you will notice how humiliated your servant is, if you will remember me and not forget your servant but will give your servant a male child, then I will give him to ADONAI for as long as he lives; and no razor will ever come on his head."

She prayed for a long time before ADONAI; and as she did so, 'Eli was watching her mouth.

Hannah was speaking in her heart - her lips moved, but her voice could not be heard -so 'Eli thought she was drunk.

'Eli said to her, "How long are you going to stay drunk? Stop drinking your wine!"

But Hannah answered, "No, my lord, I am a very unhappy woman. I have not drunk either wine or other strong liquor; rather, I've been pouring out my soul before ADONAI.

Don't think of your servant as a worthless woman; because I have been speaking from the depth of my distress and anger."

Then 'Eli replied, "Go in peace. May the God of Isra'el grant what you have asked of him."

She replied, "May your servant find favor in your sight." So the woman went on her way, and she ate, and her face was no longer sad.

God Grants Hannah a Son

They got up early in the morning and worshipped before ADONAI, then returned and came to their house in Ramah. Elkanah had sexual relations with Hannah his wife, and ADONAI remembered her.

She conceived; and in due time she gave birth to a son, whom she named Sh'mu'el, "because I asked ADONAI for him." "Sh'mu'el" is derived from shem El, "name of God," but sounds like sha'ul me'el, "asked from God."

The husband, Elkanah, went up with all his household to offer the yearly sacrifice to ADONAI and fulfill his vow.

Dedication of Samuel to the Lord

But Hannah did not go up, explaining to her husband, "Not till the child has been weaned. Then I will bring him, so that he can appear before ADONAI and live there forever."

Her husband Elkanah answered her, "Do what seems good to you; stay here until you have weaned him. Only may ADONAI bring about what he said." So the woman stayed behind and nursed the child, until she weaned him.

After weaning him, she took him up with her, along with three young bulls, a bushel of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of ADONAI in Shiloh, even though he was just a child.

After the bull had been slaughtered, the child was brought to 'Eli;

and she said, "My lord, as sure as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here near you, praying to ADONAI.

I prayed for this child, and ADONAI has granted the request I asked of him.

Therefore, I too have loaned him to ADONAI - as long as he lives, he is on loan to ADONAI."And he prostrated himself there before ADONAI.

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.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate

1 Samuel1

Elkanah and His Family at Ramah

Hannah’s Vow and Prayer

God Grants Hannah a Son

Dedication of Samuel to the Lord

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options