⁹ Hannah got up after she had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the chair by the doorpost of the tent^[a] of the Lord. ¹⁰ Deeply distressed, she prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. ¹¹ Hannah^[b] made a vow: “Lord of the Heavenly Armies, if you just look at the misery of your maid servant, remember me, and don’t forget your maid servant. If you give your maid servant a son,^[c] then I’ll give him to the Lord^[d] for all the days of his life,^[e] and a razor is never to touch^[f] his head.”

¹² As she continued to pray in the Lord’s presence, Eli was watching her mouth. ¹³ Hannah^[g] was praying inwardly.^[h] Her lips were quivering, and her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. ¹⁴ Eli told her, “How long will you stay drunk? Put away your wine!”

¹⁵ “No, sir!”^[i] Hannah replied. “I’m a deeply troubled^[j] woman. I’ve drunk neither wine nor beer. I’ve been pouring out my soul in the Lord’s presence. ¹⁶ Don’t consider your maid servant a worthless woman. Rather, all this time I’ve been speaking because I’m very anxious and distressed.”

¹⁷ “Go in peace,” Eli answered. “May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.”

¹⁸ She said, “Let your servant^[k] find favor in your eyes.” Then she^[l] went on her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.^[m]