1 Samuel 1:7-20

7This happened every year when they went to the Lord's house in Shiloh. Peninnah would cause Hannah to be upset. Then Hannah would weep. She would refuse to eat anything.

8Hannah's husband, Elkanah, said to her, ‘Why should you weep and refuse to eat? Do not be so sad. I love you, and that is better than ten sons.’

9One day they had offered sacrifices at Shiloh. They had finished eating and drinking. Hannah stood up to pray to God. Eli the priest was sitting on his chair beside the door of the Lord's temple.

10Hannah was very upset as she prayed to the Lord. She could not stop weeping.

11She made a promise to God. She prayed, ‘Lord Almighty, you can see how sad I am. Please be kind to me, your servant. Remember me and do not forget me. Please give a son to me, your servant. If you do that, I will give him to serve you for all of his life. Nobody will ever cut his hair.’

12Hannah continued to pray to the Lord. Eli watched her mouth while it moved.

13Hannah was praying quietly inside herself. Her lips moved but Eli could not hear her voice. So he thought that she was drunk.

14He said to her, ‘Are you always drunk like that? Throw away your wine.’

15Hannah replied, ‘No, sir, I have not drunk any wine or strong drink. I have much trouble deep inside myself. I have told the Lord about all my problems.

16Please sir, do not think that I am a bad woman. I am praying like this because I am very sad and upset.’

17Eli said to Hannah, ‘Go and let your mind have peace. I pray that Israel's God will give you what you have asked him for.’

18Hannah said to him, ‘I will try to do what pleases you, sir.’ Then Hannah went away and she ate some food. Her face was not sad now.

19Elkanah and his family got up early the next morning and they worshipped the Lord. Then they went back to their home in Ramah. Elkanah had sex with his wife Hannah. The Lord remembered what she had asked him for.

20Hannah became pregnant. Later, she gave birth to a son. She gave him the name ‘Samuel’. She said, ‘His name is Samuel because I asked the Lord for him.’