📖 1 Samuel — Chapter 1 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Samuel 1:1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of Rmount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:
1 Samuel 1:2 And he had Rtwo wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
1 Samuel 1:3 And this man went up out of his city RTyearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.
1 Samuel 1:4 And when the time was that Elkanah Roffered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:
1 Samuel 1:5 But unto Hannah he gave Ra Tworthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
1 Samuel 1:6 And her Radversary also Tprovoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
1 Samuel 1:7 And as he did so year by year, Twhen she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.
1 Samuel 1:8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, Rwhy weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
1 Samuel 1:9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.
1 Samuel 1:10 And she was RTin bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
1 Samuel 1:11 And she Rvowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid Ta man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
1 Samuel 1:12 And it came to pass, as she RTcontinued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.
1 Samuel 1:13 Now Hannah, she Rspake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
1 Samuel 1:14 And Eli said unto her, RHow long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
1 Samuel 1:15 And Hannah answered and said, RNo, my lord, I am a woman Tof a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.
1 Samuel 1:16 Count not thine handmaid for Ra daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my Tcomplaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
1 Samuel 1:17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and Rthe God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
1 Samuel 1:18 And she said, RLet thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
1 Samuel 1:19 And Rthey rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.
1 Samuel 1:20 Wherefore it came to pass, RTwhen the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name TSamuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.
1 Samuel 1:21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.
1 Samuel 1:22 But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and Rthen I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever.
1 Samuel 1:23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, RDo what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.
1 Samuel 1:24 And when she had weaned him, Rshe took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.
1 Samuel 1:25 And they slew a bullock, and Rbrought the child to Eli.
1 Samuel 1:26 And she said, Oh my lord, Ras thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.
1 Samuel 1:27 RFor this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
1 Samuel 1:28 Therefore also I have Tlent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth The shall be lent to the LORD. And Rhe worshipped the LORD there.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 1:1–8 — Hannah's sorrow at Shiloh
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Elkanah takes his household to worship yearly. Hannah's childlessness is made more painful by Peninnah's provocation. Elkanah loves her, yet his question does not resolve her grief. The narrative introduces a deeply personal sorrow within Israel's worship.
Key Truth: Compassion requires hearing grief rather than assuming affection makes it disappear.
Check What You Remember
1. Who was Hannah's husband? (1 Samuel 1:1)
Find it in 1 Samuel 1:1 (KJV).
2. Where did the household worship yearly? (1 Samuel 1:3)
Find it in 1 Samuel 1:3 (KJV).
3. Which wife had children? (1 Samuel 1:2)
Find it in 1 Samuel 1:2 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 1:9–18 — Prayer misunderstood and then heard
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Hannah pours out her soul and vows to dedicate a son to the LORD. Eli mistakes her silent prayer for drunkenness until she explains. He then blesses her petition, and she resumes eating. This particular answer is not a promise that every prayer for a child has the same outcome.
Key Truth: Hannah brings her sorrow honestly before the LORD.
Check What You Remember
1. Who mistook Hannah's prayer for drunkenness? (1 Samuel 1:13)
Find it in 1 Samuel 1:13 (KJV).
2. What moved while her voice was unheard? (1 Samuel 1:13)
Find it in 1 Samuel 1:13 (KJV).
3. To whom had she poured out her soul? (1 Samuel 1:15)
Find it in 1 Samuel 1:15 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 1:19–28 — Samuel is given and dedicated
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The LORD remembers Hannah, and she names her son Samuel because she asked him of the LORD. After weaning him, she brings him to Eli and fulfills her dedication. Her gratitude returns the gift to God's service.
Key Truth: Hannah remembers her commitment when the prayer is answered.
Check What You Remember
1. What name did Hannah give her son? (1 Samuel 1:20)
Find it in 1 Samuel 1:20 (KJV).
2. When did she bring him to Shiloh? (1 Samuel 1:24)
Find it in 1 Samuel 1:24 (KJV).
3. To whom was Samuel dedicated for his life? (1 Samuel 1:28)
Find it in 1 Samuel 1:28 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Ruth 4:13 — The preceding book also records the LORD giving a child within a story of loss and provision.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What helps you distinguish Hannah's honest prayer from a formula for obtaining a particular outcome?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What contrasts Hannah’s prayer with Eli’s first interpretation?
2. What changed after Eli’s answer before Hannah conceived?
3. How does Hannah explain Samuel’s name?
4. What condition did Hannah give before taking Samuel to appear before the LORD?
5. How does Hannah connect her earlier request to Samuel’s dedication?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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