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Hannah’s Prayer for a Son

Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle.[a] 10 Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. 11 And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.[b]

12 As she was praying to the Lord, Eli watched her. 13 Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking. 14 “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!”

15 “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. 16 Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.”

17 “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.”

18 “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:9 Hebrew the Temple of the Lord.
  2. 1:11 Some manuscripts add He will drink neither wine nor intoxicants.

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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