Home› Bible› 1 Samuel› Chapter 1

1 Samuel 1

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 1 of 31

1 And there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim from the hills of 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 second, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

3 And that man went up from his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice before Jehovah of Hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to Jehovah there.

Read full chapter in the Bible Reader

Chapter Summary

Elkanah a Levite worships yearly at Shiloh. He cherishes Hannah, though barren. Hannah prays for a son. Eli the priest blesses her. Hannah bears Samuel, and according to her vow presents him to Jehovah.

Key Hebrew Words

שָׁאַל ask, request H7592 · TWOT 2303
נֶ֫דֶר vow H5088 · TWOT 1308a
פָּלַל pray, intercede H6419 · TWOT 1776
רֶ֫חֶם womb H7358 · TWOT 2146a
זָכַר remember H2142 · TWOT 551
גָּמַל wean H1580 · TWOT 360

People & Context

Hannah

Barren wife of Elkanah who prays and vows for a son and bears Samuel, dedicating him to Jehovah

Elkanah

Ephraimite husband of Hannah and Peninnah who worships yearly at Shiloh and loves Hannah dearly

Eli

The priest at Shiloh who mistakes Hannah for drunk, then blesses her petition; Samuel is brought to him

Samuel

The son Hannah asks of Jehovah, named for her petition and presented to serve at Shiloh

Peninnah

Elkanah's other wife, who has children and provokes Hannah over her barrenness

Hophni and Phinehas

The two sons of Eli, serving as priests to Jehovah at Shiloh

Timeline

Elkanah's Yearly Pilgrimage and Hannah's Provocation

Elkanah goes to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice, giving a double portion to Hannah, who is provoked to weeping by her rival Peninnah because Jehovah had shut her womb.

1 Samuel 1:1-8
Hannah's Vow at Shiloh

Hannah prays in bitterness of soul and makes a vow to Jehovah that if He gives her a son, she will dedicate him to Jehovah for life and no razor will touch his head.

1 Samuel 1:9-11
Eli Misjudges and Blesses Hannah

Eli the priest observes Hannah's silent prayer and accuses her of being drunk. After she explains her grief, he blesses her petition, and her sadness leaves.

1 Samuel 1:12-18

Read 1 Samuel 1 in the KJ3 Reader

Word-for-word literal translation with Hebrew interlinear, Strong's numbers, and audio.

Open in Bible Reader
Ruth 41 Samuel1 Samuel 2