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 certain man of Ramathaimzophim, 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: ​
2
And 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. ​
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 sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there. ​
4
And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:
5
But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. ​
6
And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. ​
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, and did not eat.
8
Then 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? ​

Hannah’s Vow and Prayer

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 post of the temple of the LORD. ​
10
And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
11
And 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. ​
12
And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.
13
Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. ​
14
And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
15
And 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. ​
16
Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
17
Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. ​
18
And 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.

God Grants Hannah a Son

19
And 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. ​
20
Wherefore 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. ​
21
And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

Dedication of Samuel to the Lord

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 bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever. ​
23
And 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.
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 wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young. ​
25
And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.
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. ​
27
For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
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 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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