1 Samuel 1

All 28 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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1. 1There was a man named Elkanah who lived in Ramathaim Zophim, in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite.
2. 2Elkanah had two wives. One was named Hannah, and the other was named Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
3. 3Every year, Elkanah traveled from his hometown to Shiloh to worship and offer sacrifices to the LORD of hosts. Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, served there as priests of the LORD.
4. 4Whenever Elkanah offered his sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to each of her sons and daughters.
5. 5But to Hannah he gave a worthy portion, because he loved her, even though the LORD had closed her womb.
6. 6Peninnah, her rival, constantly taunted her and tried to upset her because the LORD had closed her womb.
7. 7This went on year after year. Every time they went up to the house of the LORD, Peninnah would provoke Hannah, so she wept and couldn't eat.
8. 8Her husband Elkanah would say to her, "Hannah, why are you crying? Why won't you eat? Why are you so heartbroken? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?"
9. 9After they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah got up. Eli the priest was sitting on a chair beside the doorpost of the LORD's temple.
10. 10Hannah was in bitterness of soul. She prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.
11. 11She made a vow, saying, "LORD of hosts, if you will truly look upon the suffering of your servant and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give your servant a male child, then I will dedicate him to the LORD for his entire life, and no razor will ever touch his head."
12. 12As she kept praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth closely.
13. 13Hannah was praying silently in her heart. Her lips were moving, but no sound came out. So Eli assumed she was drunk.
14. 14Eli said to her, "How long are you going to stay drunk? Put your wine away!"
15. 15Hannah replied, "No, my lord, I am a woman with a sorrowful spirit. I haven't had any wine or strong drink; I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD."
16. 16Count not your servant as a daughter of Belial, for I have been speaking out of my great complaint and grief.
17. 17Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant what you've asked of him."
18. 18She said, "May your servant find favor in your sight." Then she went on her way, ate something, and her face was no longer sad.
19. 19Early the next morning, the family got up, worshiped before the LORD, and then traveled home to Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her.
20. 20So it happened that when the time came after Hannah had conceived, she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked him of the LORD."
21. 21When the time came for the yearly sacrifice, Elkanah went up with his whole household to offer their sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vow.
22. 22But Hannah stayed behind. She told her husband, "I won't go until the boy is weaned. Then I'll bring him to appear before the LORD, and he will remain there forever."
23. 23Elkanah told her, "Do whatever you think is best. Stay home until you've weaned him. May the LORD fulfill his word." So Hannah stayed and nursed her son until she weaned him.
24. 24Once he was weaned, she brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh, along with 3 bulls, one ephah of flour, and a container of wine. The boy was still very young.
25. 25They slaughtered a bull and then brought the child to Eli.
26. 26Hannah said to him, "My lord, as surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD.
27. 27I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted me what I asked of him.
28. 28Therefore I have also lent him to the LORD. As long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD. And he worshiped the LORD there.