Hannah Prays for a Son

After the meal at Shiloh, Hannah rises in deep distress and prays with tears, vowing that if the LORD gives her a son, she will give him back to the LORD all his life.

S⁹o after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. ¹⁰In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. ¹¹And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”

As Hannah prays silently, Eli mistakes her for drunken, but she explains that she is pouring out her soul in anguish. Eli then sends her in peace, and Hannah leaves changed enough to eat again.

¹²As Hannah kept on praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth. ¹³Hannah was praying in her heart, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. ¹⁴So Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put away your wine!” ¹⁵“No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have not had any wine or strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD. ¹⁶Do not take your servant for a wicked woman, for all this time I have been praying out of the depth of my anguish and grief.” ¹⁷“Go in peace,” Eli replied, “and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him.” ¹⁸“May your maidservant find favor with you,” said Hannah. Then she went on her way, and she began to eat, and her face was no longer downcast.