9 One time Hannah got up after eating and drinking at Shiloh. (Eli the priest was sitting on the seat near the entrance of Yahweh’s tent.) 10 Hannah was very upset, and she prayed to Yahweh and wept uncontrollably. 11 Then she made a vow, saying, “Commander Yahweh, if you would only notice the misery of your female servant and remember me. Don’t ignore me. Help your female servant to give birth to a son, then I’ll give him to you for his entire life, and he’ll never have his hair cut.”[ref]

12 As she continued praying to Yahweh, Eli was watching her mouth. 13 Now Hannah was praying from her heart, and her lips were moving but she wasn’t speaking aloud. Eli thought she must be drunk, 14 and scolded her, “You shouldn’t be getting drunk. Get rid of your wine.”

15 “No, my master,” Hannah replied, “I’m a woman who’s suffering deep down. I haven’t drunk any wine or intoxicating drink, but rather I’ve been sharing my inner issues with Yahweh. 16 Don’t think that your female servant is just a worthless woman, because just now I was praying as a result of my terrible anguish and frustration.”

17 “Then go in peace,” Eli replied. “And may Yisrael’s God grant your request that you presented to him.”

18 “Please assume the best of your female servant,” said Hannah, then she went on her way and had something to eat, and something had changed in her demeanor.