On one occasion, Hannah got up after they ate and drank at Shiloh.[a] The priest Eli was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s temple.(A) 10 Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept with many tears.(B) 11 Making a vow,(C) she pleaded, “Lord of Armies, if you will take notice of your servant’s affliction,(D) remember and not forget me, and give your servant a son, I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut.”[b](E)

12 While she continued praying in the Lord’s presence, Eli watched her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying silently,(F) and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to be drunk?(G) Get rid of your wine!”

15 “No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman with a broken heart. I haven’t had any wine or beer; I’ve been pouring out my heart before the Lord.(H) 16 Don’t think of me as a wicked woman;(I) I’ve been praying from the depth of my anguish and resentment.”(J)

17 Eli responded, “Go in peace,(K) and may the God of Israel grant the request you’ve made of him.”(L)

18 “May your servant find favor with you,”(M) she replied. Then Hannah went on her way; she ate and no longer looked despondent.[c](N)

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Footnotes

  1. 1:9 LXX adds and presented herself before the Lord
  2. 1:11 Lit and no razor will go up on his head
  3. 1:18 Lit and her face was not to her again

After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of (A)the temple of the Lord. 10 She was (B)deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she (C)vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed (D)look on the affliction of your servant and (E)remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, (F)and no razor shall touch his head.”

12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but (G)I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as (H)a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17 Then Eli answered, (I)“Go in peace, and the God of Israel (J)grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, (K)“Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman (L)went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

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