1 Samuel 1:7-20

7Peninnah would behave this way year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the Lord’s house, Peninnah would upset her so that she would weep and refuse to eat.

8Finally her husband Elkanah said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep and not eat? Why are you so sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”

9On one occasion in Shiloh, after they had finished eating and drinking, Hannah got up. (Now at the time Eli the priest was sitting in his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s temple.)

10She was very upset as she prayed to the Lord, and she was weeping uncontrollably.

11She made a vow saying, “O Lord of hosts, if you will look with compassion on the suffering of your female servant, remembering me and not forgetting your servant, and give a male child to your servant, then I will dedicate him to the Lord all the days of his life. His hair will never be cut.”

12As she continued praying to the Lord, Eli was watching her mouth.

13Now Hannah was speaking from her heart. Although her lips were moving, her voice was inaudible. Eli therefore thought she was drunk.

14So he said to her, “How often do you intend to get drunk? Put away your wine!”

15But Hannah replied, “That’s not the way it is, my lord! I am under a great deal of stress. I have drunk neither wine nor beer. Rather, I have poured out my soul to the Lord.

16Don’t consider your servant a wicked woman, for until now I have spoken from my deep pain and anguish.”

17Eli replied, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the request that you have asked of him.”

18She said, “May I, your servant, find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and got something to eat. Her face no longer looked sad.

19They got up early the next morning and after worshiping the Lord, they returned to their home at Ramah. Elkanah had marital relations with his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her.

20After some time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, thinking, “I asked the Lord for him.