1 THERE WAS a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of the hill country of Ephraim, named Elkanah 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 named Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
3 This man went from his city year by year to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were the Lord's priests. 4 When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he would give to Peninnah his wife and all her sons and daughters portions [of the sacrificial meat]. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but the Lord had given her no children. 6 [This embarrassed and grieved Hannah] and her rival provoked her greatly to vex her, because the Lord had left her childless. 7 So it was year after year; whenever Hannah went up to the Lord's house, Peninnah provoked her, so she wept and did not eat. 8 Then Elkanah her husband said to her, Hannah, why do you cry? And why do you not eat? And why are you grieving? Am I not more to you than ten sons?
9 So Hannah rose after they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his seat beside a post of the temple (tent) of the Lord. 10 And [Hannah] was in distress of soul, praying to the Lord and weeping bitterly. 11 She vowed, saying, O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your handmaid and [earnestly] remember, and not forget Your handmaid but will give me a son, I will give him to the Lord all his life; no razor shall touch his head.
12 And as she continued praying before the Lord, Eli noticed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. 14 Eli said to her, How long will you be intoxicated? Put wine away from you. 15 But Hannah answered, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I was pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Regard not your handmaid as a wicked woman; for out of my great complaint and bitter provocation I have been speaking. 17 Then Eli said, Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him. 18 Hannah said, Let your handmaid find grace in your sight. So [she] went her way and ate, her countenance no longer sad.
19 The family rose early the next morning, worshiped before the Lord, and returned to their home in Ramah. Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 Hannah became pregnant and in due time bore a son and named him Samuel [heard of God], Because, she said, I have asked him of the Lord.