1 Shamu'al 1

Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Aphrayiym, and his name was Elqanah, the son of Yeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:

And he had two wives; the name of the one was Chanah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Chanah had no children.

And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 Tzebaoth in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Pinchas, the priests of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄, were there.

And when the time was that Elqanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

But unto Chanah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Chanah: but 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 had shut up her womb.

And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 had shut up her womb.

And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

Then said Elqanah her husband to her, "Chanah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?"

So Chanah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄.

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄, and wept sore.

And she vowed a vow, and said, "O 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 Tzebaoth, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head."

And it came to pass, as she continued praying before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄, that Eli marked her mouth.

Now Chanah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

And Eli said unto her, "How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee."

And Chanah answered and said, "No, my adun, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄."

"Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Beliyaal: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto."

Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace: and the Alahiym of Yashar'al grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him."

And she said, "Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight." So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elqanah knew Chanah his wife; and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 remembered her.

Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Chanah had conceived, that she bore a son, and called his name Shamuel, saying, "Because I have asked him of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄."

And the man Elqanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

But Chanah went not up; for she said unto her husband, "I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄, and there abide for ever."

And Elqanah her husband said unto her, "Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 establish his word." So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 in Shiloh: and the child was young.

And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

And she said, "Oh my adun, as thy soul liveth, my adun, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄."

"For this child I prayed; and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 hath given me my petition which I asked of him:"

"Therefore also I have lent him to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄." And he worshipped 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 there.