1Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of Mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephraimite: 2And 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. 3And this man went up from 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. 4And when the time came that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah, his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: 5But to Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. 6And her rival also provoked her relentlessly, causing her to fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. 7And year by year it was the same: Peninnah would taunt her, so when she went up to the Temple of the LORD with Elkanah, she wept, and did not eat.

8Then Elkanah, her husband, asked her, “Hannah, why do you weep and do not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” 9Once, after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli, the priest, was sitting by a post of the temple of the LORD. 10And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly. 11And she made this vow, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look upon the affliction of Your handmaid, and remember me, and will give to me a son, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life; and no razor shall come upon his head.” 12And as she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. 13Now Hannah was praying in her heart; with her lips moving, but her voice was not heard. And so Eli thought she was drunk. 14And Eli said to her, “How long will you be intoxicated? Put away your wine.” 15And Hannah replied, “No, my lord, I am a woman with a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk no wine nor strong drink, but have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. 16Do not consider your handmaid a wicked woman; for out of the abundance of my anguish and grief I have been praying.” 17Then Eli replied, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you your petition that you have asked of Him.” 18And she said, “Let me find grace in your sight.” Then she went her way, and ate, and her countenance was no longer sad.

19And the family arose early in the morning, worshipped before the LORD, and then returned to their house at Ramah; and Elkanah slept with Hannah, his wife; and the LORD remembered her. 20Then Hannah conceived, and in the course of time, she bore a son, and named him Samuel (“Heard of God”), saying, “Because I have asked him of the LORD.”

21And when Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. 22Hannah did not go up; for she said to her husband, “I will not go up until the child is weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and dwell there forever.” 23And Elkanah said, “Do what seems good to you; stay until you have weaned him; and may the LORD help you keep your word with Hm.” So, she stayed, and nursed her son until she weaned him. 24And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh. 25And they slaughtered a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. 26And she said, “Oh my lord, as your soul lives, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD. 27For this child I prayed; and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him. 28Therefore, I have lent him to the LORD: as long as he lives, he shall be lent to the LORD.” And he (young Samuel) remained and worshipped the LORD there.