1st Shamu'AL (1 Samuel) — 1
Alkanah and His Family
1 There was a man named Alkanah who lived in Ramah in the region of Zuph in the hill country of Aphraim, he was the son of Yaruham, son of Alihu, son of Tuhu, son of Zuph in the Tribe of Aphraim.
2 Alkanah had two wives, Hannah and Paninnah. Paninnah had children, but Hannah did not.
3 Each year Alkanah would travel to Shiluh to worship and sacrifice to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH at the Tabernacle. The Kuhan of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH at that time were the two sons of Ali-Huphni and Phinahas.
4 On the day Alkanah presented his sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to Paninnah and each of her children.
5 And though he loved Hannah, he would give her only one choice portion because 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH had given her no children.
6 So Paninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH had kept her from having children.
7 Year after year it was the same, Paninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat.
8 “Why are you crying, Hannah? Alkanah would ask. “Why are you not eating? Why are you downhearted just because you have no children? You have me is that not better than having ten sons?”
Hannah’s Prayer for a Son
9 After eating a sacrificial meal at Shiluh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Ali the Kuhan was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle.
10 Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH.
11 And she made this vow: “O 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH my 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you, he will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, his hair will never be cut.”
12 As she was praying to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, Ali watched her.
13 Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking.
14 “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!”
15 “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I have not been drinking wine or anything stronger, but I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH.
16 Do not think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.”
17 “In that case,” Ali the Kuhan said, “go in Shalum! May the 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH of Yashar'AL grant the request you have asked of Him.”
18 “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.
Shamu'AL’s Birth and Dedication
19 The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH once more, then they returned home to Ramah, then Alkanah slept with Hannah, and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH remembered her plea,
20 and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Shamu'AL, for she said, “I asked 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH for him.
21 The next year Alkanah and his family went on their annual trip to offer a sacrifice to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH and to keep his vow.
22 But Hannah did not go. She told her husband, “Wait until the boy is weaned. Then I will take him to the Tabernacle and leave him there with 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH permanently.”
23 “Whatever you think is best,” Alkanah agreed. “Stay here for now, and may 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH help you keep your promise.” So she stayed home and nursed the boy until he was weaned.
24 When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiluh. They brought along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice and a basket of flour and some wine.
25 After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Ali the Kuhan.
26 “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH.
27 I asked 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH to give me this boy, and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has granted my request.
28 Now I am giving him to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, and he will belong to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH his whole life.” And they worshiped 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH there.