1Samuel:1

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* Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim , of the mountains of Ephraim , and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham , the son of Elihu , the son of Tohu , the son of Zuph , an Ephraimite . * And he had two wives : the name of one was Hannah , and the name of the other Peninnah . Peninnah had children , but Hannah had no children . * This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of hosts in Shiloh . Also the two sons of Eli , Hophni and Phinehas , the priests of the LORD , were there . * And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering , he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters . * But to Hannah he would give a double portion , for he loved Hannah , although the LORD had closed her womb . * And her rival also provoked her severely , to make her miserable , because the LORD had closed her womb . * So it was , year by year , when she went up to the house of the LORD , that she provoked her ; therefore she wept and did not eat . * Then Elkanah her husband said to her , "Hannah , why do you weep ? Why do you not eat ? And why is your heart grieved ? Am I not better to you than ten sons ?" * So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh . Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the LORD . * And she was in bitterness of soul , and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish . * Then she made a vow and said , "O LORD of hosts , if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me , and not forget Your maidservant , but will give Your maidservant a male child , then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life , and no razor shall come upon his head ." * And it happened , as she continued praying before the LORD , that Eli watched her mouth . * Now Hannah spoke in her heart ; only her lips moved , but her voice was not heard . Therefore Eli thought she was drunk . * So Eli said to her , "How long will you be drunk ? Put your wine away from you !" * But Hannah answered and said , "No , my lord , I am a woman of sorrowful spirit . I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink , but have poured out my soul before the LORD . * Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman , for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now ." * Then Eli answered and said , "Go in peace , and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him ." * And she said , "Let your maidservant find favor in your sight ." So the woman went her way and ate , and her face was no longer sad . * Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD , and returned and came to their house at Ramah . And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife , and the LORD remembered her . * So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son , and called his name Samuel , saying , "Because I have asked for him from the LORD ." * Now the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and his vow . * But Hannah did not go up , for she said to her husband , "Not until the child is weaned ; then I will take him , that he may appear before the LORD and remain there forever ." * So Elkanah her husband said to her , "Do what seems best to you ; wait until you have weaned him . Only let the LORD establish His word ." Then the woman stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him . * Now when she had weaned him , she took him up with her , with three bulls , one ephah of flour , and a skin of wine , and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh . And the child was young . * Then they slaughtered a bull , and brought the child to Eli . * And she said , "O my lord ! As your soul lives , my lord , I am the woman who stood by you here , praying to the LORD . * For this child I prayed , and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him . * Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD ; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD ." So they worshiped the LORD there .

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