Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim, a Zuphite of the hill-country of Ephraim, named Elkanah; he was the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite:
And he had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah: and Peninnah was the mother of children, but Hannah had no children.
Now this man went up from his town every year to give worship and to make offerings to the Lord of armies in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.
And when the day came for Elkanah to make his offering, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and daughters, their part of the feast:
But to Hannah he gave one part, though Hannah was very dear to him, but the Lord had not let her have children.
And the other wife did everything possible to make her unhappy, because the Lord had not let her have children;
And year by year, whenever she went up to the house of the Lord, she kept on attacking her, so that Hannah gave herself up to weeping and would take no food.
Then her husband Elkanah said to her, Hannah, why are you weeping? and why are you taking no food? why is your heart troubled? am I not more to you than ten sons?
So after they had taken food and wine in the guest room, Hannah got up. Now Eli the priest was seated by the pillars of the doorway of the Temple of the Lord.
And with grief in her soul, weeping bitterly, she made her prayer to the Lord.
And she made an oath, and said, O Lord of armies, if you will truly take note of the sorrow of your servant, not turning away from me but keeping me in mind, and will give me a man-child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut.
Now while she was a long time in prayer before the Lord, Eli was watching her mouth.
For Hannah's prayer came from her heart, and though her lips were moving she made no sound: so it seemed to Eli that she was overcome with wine.
And Eli said to her, How long are you going to be the worse for drink? Put away the effects of your wine from you.
And Hannah, answering him, said, No, my lord, I am a woman whose spirit is broken with sorrow: I have not taken wine or strong drink, but I have been opening my heart before the Lord.
Do not take your servant to be a good-for-nothing woman: for my words have come from my stored-up sorrow and pain.
Then Eli said to her, Go in peace: and may the God of Israel give you an answer to the prayer you have made to him.
And she said, May your servant have grace in your eyes. So the woman went away, and took part in the feast, and her face was no longer sad.
And early in the morning they got up, and after worshipping before the Lord they went back to Ramah, to their house: and Elkanah had connection with his wife; and the Lord kept her in mind.
Now the time came when Hannah, being with child, gave birth to a son; and she gave him the name Samuel, Because, she said, I made a prayer to the Lord for him.
And the man Elkanah with all his family went up to make the year's offering to the Lord, and to give effect to his oath.
But Hannah did not go, for she said to her husband, I will not go till the child has been taken from the breast, and then I will take him with me and put him before the Lord, where he may be for ever.
And her husband Elkanah said to her, Do whatever seems right to you, but not till you have taken him from the breast; only may the Lord do as he has said. So the woman, waiting there, gave her son milk till he was old enough to be taken from the breast.
Then when she had done so, she took him with her, with a three-year old ox and an ephah of meal and a skin full of wine, and took him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh: now the child was still very young.
And when they had made an offering of the ox, they took the child to Eli.
And she said, O my lord, as your soul is living, my lord, I am that woman who was making a prayer to the Lord here by your side:
My prayer was for this child; and the Lord has given him to me in answer to my request:
So I have given him to the Lord; for all his life he is the Lord's. Then he gave the Lord worship there.
1 Samuel Chapter 1 marks a pivotal moment in the Biblical narrative, setting the stage for the rise of one of Israel’s greatest prophets, Samuel. This chapter intricately weaves themes of faith, despair, and divine intervention, providing profound insights into the human experience and God's sovereign plans.
1 Samuel opens in the life of a man named Elkanah, who is from the tribe of Ephraim. He is described as a devoted worshiper of Yahweh, regularly making pilgrimage to Shiloh to offer sacrifices. However, the chapter primarily focuses on Elkanah's wife, Hannah, who faces deep anguish due to her inability to conceive.
The chapter opens by introducing Elkanah’s family and their yearly pilgrimage to Shiloh, where they offer sacrifices. During these visits, Peninnah provokes Hannah, which causes her great distress. Hannah's emotional turmoil is palpable; she does not eat and prays fervently for a son, pledging to dedicate him to God’s service if her prayer is answered.
Hannah's deep agony is described as she makes her way to the temple to pray. Her heartfelt prayer includes a vow to dedicate her child to the Lord, illustrating her desperation and faith. Eli, the priest, initially mistakes her silent prayers for drunkenness but quickly realizes his error upon hearing her story. He blesses her, assuring her that God will grant her request.
The chapter concludes with Hannah's deep-seated hope and the eventual conception of her son Samuel, whose name means “heard by God.” Her transformation from sorrow to joy encapsulates the overarching message of faith and divine promise.
Elkanah’s two marriages paint a vivid portrait of the complexities of family life in ancient Israel. The rivalry between Hannah and Peninnah illustrates the pain of comparison and the emotional turmoil that can arise in familial relationships, particularly in the context of childbearing.
Hannah's prayer is a profound act of faith. Her choice to dedicate Samuel to God’s service reflects a deep commitment and trust in God. This moment emphasizes the importance of communication with God and the impact of personal vows, which resonate throughout the Bible.
The chapter highlights a key theological theme: God’s sovereignty over human circumstances. Despite Hannah’s barrenness, the narrative reveals that God hears her distress. His timing and plans unfold in a way that ultimately serves His broader purposes, showcasing His control over life’s circumstances.
Eli’s role as a spiritual leader shifts from misunderstanding to recognition. His acknowledgment of Hannah’s plight and blessing illustrates an essential quality of spiritual authority—sensitivity and discernment. His actions remind readers of the importance of compassionate leadership in the faith community.
1 Samuel Chapter 1 is rich in themes of struggle, faith, and divine intervention. Hannah’s journey from despair to hope serves as a timeless reminder of the transformative power of prayer and God’s attentiveness to human suffering. This chapter not only sets the foundation for Samuel's significant role in Israel's history but also invites readers to explore the deeper implications of faith, family dynamics, and the essence of divine promise.
As we reflect on Hannah’s story, we can find comfort and encouragement in our own struggles, remembering that God hears our cries and is always at work in our lives.