⁹ Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house.^{(A) 10} In her deep anguish^(B) Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. ¹¹ And she made a vow,^(C) saying, “Lord Almighty^(D), if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember^(E) me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life,^(F) and no razor^(G) will ever be used on his head.”

¹² As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. ¹³ Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk ¹⁴ and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

¹⁵ “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled.^(H) I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring^(I) out my soul to the Lord. ¹⁶ Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”^(J)

¹⁷ Eli answered, “Go in peace,^(K) and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.^(L)”

¹⁸ She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.^(M)” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.^(N)