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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One time, after eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah got up and presented herself before the Lord.[a] (Now Eli the priest was sitting in the chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s temple.) 10 Hannah was very upset and couldn’t stop crying as she prayed to the Lord. 11 Then she made this promise: “Lord of heavenly forces, just look at your servant’s pain and remember me! Don’t forget your servant! Give her a boy! Then I’ll give him to the Lord for his entire life. No razor will ever touch his head.”

12 As she kept praying before the Lord, Eli watched her mouth. 13 Now Hannah was praying in her heart; her lips were moving, but her voice was silent, so Eli thought she was drunk.

14 “How long will you act like a drunk? Sober up!” Eli told her.

15 “No sir!” Hannah replied. “I’m just a very sad woman. I haven’t had any wine or beer but have been pouring out my heart to the Lord. 16 Don’t think your servant is some good-for-nothing woman. This whole time I’ve been praying out of my great worry and trouble!”

17 Eli responded, “Then go in peace. And may the God of Israel give you what you’ve asked from him.”

18 “Please think well of me, your servant,” Hannah said. Then the woman went on her way, ate some food, and wasn’t sad any longer.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 1:9 LXX; MT lacks presented herself before the Lord.
  2. 1 Samuel 1:18 LXX; MT lacks sad.