The Birth of Samuel

The next morning they got up early to bow in worship before the LORD, and then they returned home to Ramah.

And Elkanah had relations with his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. 20 So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel,[fn] [saying,] “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”

21 

Then Elkanah and all his house went up to make the annual sacrifice to the LORD and [to fulfill] his vow, 22 but Hannah did not go.“After the boy is weaned,” she said to her husband,“I will take him to appear before the LORD and to stay there permanently

23 

“Do what you think is best,” her husband Elkanah replied“and stay here until you have weaned him. Only may the LORD confirm His word.”[fn]

So Hannah stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him.

24 

Once she had weaned him, [Hannah] took [the boy] with her, along with a three-year-old bull,[fn] an ephah of flour,[fn] and a skin of wine. Though the boy was still young, she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. 25 And when they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli.

26 

“Please, my lord,” said [Hannah],“as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. 27 I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him, 28 I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD.”

So they worshiped[fn] the LORD there. 2