³² So Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben,^[a] for she said, “The Lord has noticed my misery, and now my husband will love me.”

⁷ we cried out to the Lord, the God of our ancestors. He heard our cries and saw our hardship, toil, and oppression.

³¹ Then the people of Israel were convinced that the Lord had sent Moses and Aaron. When they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

⁷ Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering.

²⁵ “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

¹² And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged^[a] and will bless me because of these curses today.”

²⁰ and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel,^[a] for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.”

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.^[a]”