Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your request that you have asked of Him.”

It came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him of the Lord.”

For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my request which I asked of Him.

Warning concerning a King

So Samuel spoke all the words of the Lord to the people who had asked him for a king.

And now, behold, the king whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for, and behold, the Lord has put a king over you.

Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call to the Lord, that He will send thunder and rain. Then you will know and see that your wickedness is great which you have done in the sight of the Lord, by asking for yourselves a king.”

Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray to the Lord your God for your servants, so that we do not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, by asking for ourselves a king.”

I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not asked the favor of the Lord.’ So I worked up the courage and offered the burnt offering.”

And the king said, “You then, ask whose son the youth is.”

Then he went to Ramah himself and came as far as the large well that is in Secu; and he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” And someone said, “Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.”

Ask your young men and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we have come on a festive day. Please give whatever you find at hand to your servants and to your son David.’”

Samuel said, “But why ask me, since the Lord has abandoned you and has become your enemy?