21 When Elkanah and all his household went up to make the annual sacrifice(A) and his vow offering to the Lord, 22 Hannah did not go and explained to her husband, “After the child is weaned, I’ll take him to appear in the Lord’s presence(B) and to stay there permanently.”(C)

23 Her husband Elkanah replied, “Do what you think is best,[a](D) and stay here until you’ve weaned him. May the Lord confirm your[b] word.”(E) So Hannah stayed there and nursed her son until she weaned him. 24 When she had weaned him, she took him with her to Shiloh, as well as a three-year-old bull,[c] half a bushel[d] of flour, and a jar of wine.(F) Though the boy was still young,[e] she took him to the Lord’s house at Shiloh.(G) 25 Then they slaughtered the bull and brought the boy to Eli.

26 “Please, my lord,” she said, “as sure as you live,(H) my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. 27 I prayed for this boy,(I) and since the Lord gave me what I asked Him for,(J) 28 I now give the boy to the Lord. For as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.”(K) Then he[f] bowed in worship to the Lord there.[g]

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 1:23 Lit what is good in your eyes
  2. 1 Samuel 1:23 DSS, LXX, Syr; MT reads His
  3. 1 Samuel 1:24 DSS, LXX, Syr; MT reads Shiloh with three bulls
  4. 1 Samuel 1:24 Lit bull and an ephah
  5. 1 Samuel 1:24 Lit And the youth was a youth
  6. 1 Samuel 1:28 DSS read she; some Hb mss, Syr, Vg read they
  7. 1 Samuel 1:28 LXX reads Then she left him there before the Lord

21 The next year Elkanah and his family went on their annual trip to offer a sacrifice to the Lord and to keep his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go. She told her husband, “Wait until the boy is weaned. Then I will take him to the Tabernacle and leave him there with the Lord permanently.[a]

23 “Whatever you think is best,” Elkanah agreed. “Stay here for now, and may the Lord help you keep your promise.[b]” So she stayed home and nursed the boy until he was weaned.

24 When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull[c] for the sacrifice and a basket[d] of flour and some wine. 25 After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. 26 “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord. 27 I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. 28 Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they[e] worshiped the Lord there.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:22 Some manuscripts add I will offer him as a Nazirite for all time.
  2. 1:23 As in Dead Sea Scrolls and Greek version; Masoretic Text reads may the Lord keep his promise.
  3. 1:24a As in Dead Sea Scrolls, Greek and Syriac versions; Masoretic Text reads three bulls.
  4. 1:24b Hebrew and an ephah [20 quarts or 22 liters].
  5. 1:28 Hebrew he.