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So Hannah rose up after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his seat by the doorpost of Yahweh’s temple. 10 She was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to Yahweh, weeping bitterly. 11 She vowed a vow, and said, “Yahweh of Armies, if you will indeed look at the affliction of your servant and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a boy, then I will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and no razor shall come on his head.”

12 As she continued praying before Yahweh, Eli saw her mouth. 13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart. Only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 14 Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Get rid of your wine!”

15 Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have not been drinking wine or strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Yahweh. 16 Don’t consider your servant a wicked woman; for I have been speaking out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation.”

17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; and may the God[a] of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him.”

18 She said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate; and her facial expression wasn’t sad any more.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:17 The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).

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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