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The First Book of Samuel

Unlocked Literal Bible :: World English Bible Catholic

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- Chapter 1 -

(Psalm 113:1–9)
1
There was a certain man of Ramathaim of the Zuphites, of the hill country of Ephraim; his name was Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
2
He had two wives; the name of the first was Hannah, and the name of the second was Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
3
This man went from his city year after year to worship and to sacrifice to Yahweh of hosts in Shiloh. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, priests to Yahweh, were there.
4
When the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice each year, he always gave portions of the meat to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters.
5
But to Hannah he always gave a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although Yahweh had closed her womb.
6
Her rival provoked her severely in order to irritate her, because Yahweh had closed her womb.
7
So year after year, when she went up to the house of Yahweh with her family, her rival always provoked her. Therefore, she used to weep and eat nothing.
8
Elkanah her husband always said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”

Hannah Prays for a Son

9
On one of these occasions, Hannah rose up after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting upon his seat by the doorway to the temple of Yahweh.
10
She was deeply distressed; she prayed to Yahweh and wept bitterly.
11
She made a vow and said, “Yahweh of hosts, if you will look on the affliction of your servant and call me to mind, and do not forget your servant, but give your servant a son, then I will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and no razor will ever touch his head.”
12
As she continued praying before Yahweh, Eli watched her mouth.
13
Hannah spoke in her heart. Her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore, Eli thought she was drunk.
14
Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Get rid of your wine.”
15
Hannah answered, “No, my master, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before Yahweh.
16
Do not consider your servant to be a shameless woman; I have been speaking out of the abundance of my great concern and provocation.”
17
Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace; may the God of Israel grant the request that you have asked him for.”
18
She said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman went her way and ate; her face was no longer sad.

The Birth of Samuel

19
They rose early in the morning and worshiped before Yahweh, and then they returned again to their house in Ramah. Elkanah slept with Hannah his wife, and Yahweh called her to mind.
20
When the time came, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from Yahweh.”
21
Once again, Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to Yahweh the yearly sacrifice and pay his vow.
22
But Hannah did not go; she had said to her husband, “I will not go until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, so that he may appear before Yahweh and live there forever.”
23
Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems good to you. Wait until you have weaned him; only, may Yahweh confirm his word.” So the woman stayed and nursed her son until she weaned him.
24
When she had weaned him, she took him with her, along with a three-year-old bull, one ephah of meal, and a bottle of wine, and brought him to the house of Yahweh in Shiloh. Now the child was still young.
25
They killed the bull, and they brought the child to Eli.
26
She said, “Oh, my master! As you live, my master, I am the woman who stood here next to you praying to Yahweh.
27
For this child I prayed and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of him.
28
I have given him to Yahweh, as long as he lives he is lent to Yahweh.” Then he worshiped Yahweh there.
(Psalm 113:1–9)
1
Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the hill country 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.
2
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.
3
This man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD (a) of Armies in Shiloh. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, priests to the LORD, were there.
4
When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and her daughters;
5
but he gave a double portion to Hannah, for he loved Hannah, but the LORD had shut up her womb.
6
Her rival provoked her severely, to irritate her, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
7
So year by year, when she went up to the LORD’s house, her rival provoked her. Therefore she wept, and didn’t eat.
8
Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why don’t you eat? Why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”

Hannah Prays for a Son

9
So Hannah rose up after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his seat by the doorpost of the LORD’s temple.
10
She was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly.
11
She vowed a vow, and said, “LORD of Armies, if you will indeed look at the affliction of your servant and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a boy, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come on his head.”
12
As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli saw her mouth.
13
Now Hannah spoke in her heart. Only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.
14
Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Get rid of your wine!”
15
Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have not been drinking wine or strong drink, but I poured out my soul before the LORD.
16
Don’t consider your servant a wicked woman; for I have been speaking out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation.”
17
Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; and may the God (b) of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him.”
18
She said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate; and her facial expression wasn’t sad any more.

The Birth of Samuel

19
They rose up in the morning early and worshiped the LORD, then returned and came to their house to Ramah. Then Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.
20
When the time had come, Hannah conceived, and bore a son; and she named him Samuel,(c) saying, “Because I have asked him of the LORD.”
21
The man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and his vow.
22
But Hannah didn’t go up, for she said to her husband, “Not until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and stay there forever.”
23
Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems good to you. Wait until you have weaned him; only may the LORD establish his word.” So the woman waited and nursed her son until she weaned him.
24
When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, and one ephah(d) of meal, and a container of wine, and brought him to the LORD’s house in Shiloh. The child was young.
25
They killed the bull, and brought the child to Eli.
26
She said, “Oh, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD.
27
I prayed for this child, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of him.
28
Therefore I have also given him to the LORD. As long as he lives he is given to the LORD.” He worshiped the LORD there.

Footnotes

(a)1:3 When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name.
(b)1:17 The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).
(c)1:20 Samuel sounds like the Hebrew for “heard by God.”
(d)1:24 1 ephah is about 22 liters or about 2/3 of a bushel