1There once was a man who lived in Ramathaim. He was descended from the old Zuph family in the Ephraim hills. His name was Elkanah. (He was connected with the Zuphs from Ephraim through his father Jeroham, his grandfather Elihu, and his great-grandfather Tohu.)H259H376H7436H2022H669H8034H511H1121H3395H1121H453H1121H8459H1121H6689H6732He had two wives. The first was Hannah; the second was Peninnah. Peninnah had children; Hannah did not.H8147H802H8034H259H2584H8034H8145H6444H6444H3206H2584H32063Every year this man went from his hometown up to Shiloh to worship and offer a sacrifice to GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies. Eli and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, served as the priests of GOD there.H1931H376H5927H5892H3117H3117H7812H2076H3068H6635H7887H8147H1121H5941H2652H6372H3548H30684When Elkanah sacrificed, he passed helpings from the sacrificial meal around to his wife Peninnah and all her children,H3117H511H2076H5414H6444H802H1121H1323H44905but he always gave an especially generous helping to Hannah because he loved her so much, and because GOD had not given her children.H2584H5414H259H639H4490H157H2584H3068H5462H73586But her rival wife taunted her cruelly, rubbing it in and never letting her forget that GOD had not given her children.H6869H3707H3708H7481H3068H5462H1157H73587This went on year after year. Every time she went to the sanctuary of GOD she could expect to be taunted. Hannah was reduced to tears and had no appetite.H6213H8141H8141H1767H5927H1004H3068H3707H1058H3988Her husband Elkanah said, "Oh, Hannah, why are you crying? Why aren't you eating? And why are you so upset? Am I not of more worth to you than ten sons?"H559H511H376H2584H1058H398H3824H3415H2896H6235H11219So Hannah ate. Then she pulled herself together, slipped away quietly, and entered the sanctuary. The priest Eli was on duty at the entrance to GOD's Temple in the customary seat.H2584H6965H310H398H7887H310H8354H5941H3548H3427H3678H4201H1964H306810Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to GOD and cried and cried—inconsolably.H4751H5315H6419H3068H1058H105811Then she made a vow: Oh, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, If you'll take a good, hard look at my pain, If you'll quit neglecting me and go into action for me By giving me a son, I'll give him completely, unreservedly to you. I'll set him apart for a life of holy discipline.H5087H5088H559H3068H6635H7200H7200H6040H519H2142H7911H519H5414H519H582H2233H5414H3068H3117H2416H4177H5927H721812It so happened that as she continued in prayer before GOD, Eli was watching her closely.H7235H6419H6440H3068H5941H8104H631013Hannah was praying in her heart, silently. Her lips moved, but no sound was heard. Eli jumped to the conclusion that she was drunk.H2584H1696H3820H8193H5128H6963H8085H5941H2803H791014He approached her and said, "You're drunk! How long do you plan to keep this up? Sober up, woman!"H5941H559H7937H5493H319615Hannah said, "Oh no, sir—please! I'm a woman hard used. I haven't been drinking. Not a drop of wine or beer. The only thing I've been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to GOD.H2584H6030H559H113H802H7186H7307H8354H3196H7941H8210H5315H6440H306816Don't for a minute think I'm a bad woman. It's because I'm so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I've stayed here so long."H5414H519H6440H1323H1100H7230H7879H3708H169617Eli answered her, "Go in peace. And may the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him."H5941H6030H559H3212H7965H430H3478H5414H7596H759218"Think well of me—and pray for me!" she said, and went her way. Then she ate heartily, her face radiant.H559H8198H4672H2580H5869H802H3212H1870H398H644019Up before dawn, they worshiped GOD and returned home to Ramah. Elkanah slept with Hannah his wife, and GOD began making the necessary arrangements in response to what she had asked.H7925H1242H7925H7812H6440H3068H7725H935H1004H7414H511H3045H2584H802H3068H2142
Dedicating the Child to God
20Before the year was out, Hannah had conceived and given birth to a son. She named him Samuel, explaining, "I asked GOD for him."H3117H8622H2584H2029H3205H1121H7121H8034H8050H7592H306821When Elkanah next took his family on their annual trip to Shiloh to worship GOD, offering sacrifices and keeping his vow,H376H511H1004H5927H2076H3068H3117H2077H508822Hannah didn't go. She told her husband, "After the child is weaned, I'll bring him myself and present him before GOD—and that's where he'll stay, for good."H2584H5927H559H376H5288H1580H935H7200H6440H3068H3427H5704H576923Elkanah said to his wife, "Do what you think is best. Stay home until you have weaned him. Yes! Let GOD complete what he has begun!" So she did. She stayed home and nursed her son until she had weaned him.H511H376H559H6213H5869H2896H3427H1580H3068H6965H1697H802H3427H1121H3243H158024Then she took him up to Shiloh, bringing also the makings of a generous sacrificial meal—a prize bull, flour, and wine. The child was so young to be sent off!H1580H5927H7969H6499H259H374H7058H5035H3196H935H1004H3068H7887H5288H528825They first butchered the bull, then brought the child to Eli.H7819H6499H935H5288H594126Hannah said, "Excuse me, sir. Would you believe that I'm the very woman who was standing before you at this very spot, praying to GOD?H559H994H113H5315H2416H113H802H5324H6419H306827I prayed for this child, and GOD gave me what I asked for.H5288H6419H3068H5414H7596H759228And now I have dedicated him to GOD. He's dedicated to GOD for life." Then and there, they worshiped GOD.H7592H3068H3117H7592H3068H7812H3068
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