1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:
2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.
4 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:
5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.
8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
9 So Hannah 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 the LORD.
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, 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 the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.
13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.
16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
18 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.
19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.
20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.
21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.
22 But Hannah 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 the LORD, and there abide for ever.
23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.
24 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 the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.
25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.
26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.
27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.
The book of 1 Samuel is a part of the Old Testament in the KJV Holy Bible. It is a historical book that tells the story of the rise of the Israelite monarchy, specifically focusing on the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David. Chapter 1 is the opening chapter of the book and sets the stage for the events that will unfold in the following chapters.
The chapter introduces us to three main characters: Elkanah, Hannah, and Peninnah. Elkanah was a man from the tribe of Ephraim who had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Hannah was barren and could not have children, while Peninnah had children. This was a source of great sorrow for Hannah, as in that culture, a woman's worth was often measured by her ability to bear children. Peninnah, being jealous of Hannah, would often provoke her and make her feel even worse about her situation.
The events in this chapter take place during the time of the judges in Israel, a period when the Israelites were ruled by judges rather than kings. The story is set in the town of Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. The Israelites had not yet established a central place of worship, so they would travel to Shiloh, where the tabernacle was located, to offer sacrifices and worship God.
Chapter 1 of 1 Samuel is not just a historical account of events but also carries several important themes and messages for the readers. It highlights the struggles of a woman who longs for a child and the power of prayer and faith in God. It also sets the stage for the birth of Samuel, one of the most significant figures in Israelite history.
The first theme that stands out in this chapter is the struggle of Hannah. As mentioned earlier, in that culture, a woman's worth was often determined by her ability to bear children. Not being able to have children was considered a curse and brought great shame and distress to women. Hannah, being barren, was subjected to constant ridicule and scorn by her rival Peninnah. This must have been a great source of pain for Hannah, and it is evident in her actions and emotions in the chapter.
Despite her struggles, Hannah remained faithful and devoted to God. She would go to the tabernacle in Shiloh every year with her husband to offer sacrifices and pray to God. In verse 10, we see Hannah pouring her heart out to God, weeping and praying for a child. This shows her deep faith and trust in God, even in the midst of her suffering.
The struggle of Hannah serves as a reminder that in life, we will face challenges and difficulties, but it is our faith and trust in God that will sustain us through those times. Hannah's story also shows that God is always faithful and hears the prayers of His people, even in the most desperate situations.
Another significant theme in this chapter is the power of prayer. Hannah's story is a testimony to the fact that God hears and answers the prayers of His people. Despite her struggles and pain, Hannah continued to pray to God, and in verse 20, we see that her prayer was answered. She conceived and gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel, which means "asked of God."
This event highlights the importance of prayer in the life of a believer. It is a reminder that we should not give up or lose hope, but rather continue to pray and trust in God. The power of prayer is not in the words we say, but in the One we are praying to. God is always listening, and He will answer our prayers in His perfect timing.
The birth of Samuel is also a significant event in this chapter. He was the answer to Hannah's prayer and would go on to play a crucial role in the history of Israel. Samuel was a prophet, priest, and judge, and he anointed both Saul and David as kings of Israel. He was also a faithful servant of God and played a critical role in turning the hearts of the Israelites back to God.
The birth of Samuel is a reminder that God has a plan and a purpose for each one of us. Even in the midst of our struggles and pain, God is working behind the scenes to bring about His perfect plan for our lives. Samuel's birth also shows that God can use anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, to accomplish His will.
In this chapter, we are also introduced to Eli, the priest at the tabernacle in Shiloh. He plays a significant role in the story as he is the one who blesses Hannah and prays for her to have a child. Eli's character is a complex one, as we see both his strengths and weaknesses throughout the book of 1 Samuel. In this chapter, he is portrayed as a caring and compassionate priest who shows kindness and empathy towards Hannah. However, we also see his failure as a father, as his sons were corrupt and did not follow in his footsteps as priests of God.
Eli's character serves as a reminder that even the most righteous and faithful individuals can have flaws and shortcomings. It also highlights the importance of being responsible and setting a good example for our children.
In conclusion, chapter 1 of 1 Samuel is a powerful and poignant opening to the book. It sets the stage for the events that will unfold and introduces us to the main characters of the story. Through the struggles of Hannah, the power of prayer, the birth of Samuel, and the role of Eli, we see important themes and messages that are relevant even today. This chapter reminds us of the faithfulness of God, the power of prayer, and the fact that He has a plan and purpose for each one of us. It also teaches us about the importance of faith, trust, and perseverance in the face of trials and challenges.
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