Samuel Given to theLord 21The man Elkanah and all his housewent up to offer to theLordthe yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow.22But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of theLordand dwell there forever.23Elkanah her husband said to her, Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him;only, may theLordestablish his word. So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him.24And when she had weaned him,she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull,[a]an ephah[b]of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him tothe house of theLordat Shiloh. And the child was young.25Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli.26And she said, Oh, my lord!As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to theLord.27For this child I prayed,and theLordhas granted me my petition that I made to him.28Therefore I have lent him to theLord. As long as he lives, he is lent to theLord. And he worshiped theLordthere. Hannah's Prayer 2And Hannah prayed and said,

My heart exults in theLord;my horn is exalted in theLord.My mouth derides my enemies,becauseI rejoice in your salvation.

2There is none holy like theLord:for there is none besides you;there isno rock like our God.3Talk no more so very proudly,let not arrogance come from your mouth;for theLordis a God of knowledge,and by him actions are weighed.4The bows of the mighty are broken,but the feeble bind on strength.5Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.The barren has borne seven,but she who has many children is forlorn.6TheLordkills and brings to life;he brings down to Sheol and raises up.7TheLordmakes poor and makes rich;he brings low and he exalts.8He raises up the poor from the dust;he lifts the needy from the ash heapto make them sit with princesand inherit a seat of honor.For the pillars of the earth are theLord's,and on them he has set the world.

9He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,for not by might shall a man prevail.10The adversaries of theLordshall be broken to pieces;against them he will thunder in heaven.TheLordwill judge the ends of the earth;he will give strength to his kingand exalt the horn of his anointed.

11Then Elkanah went hometo Ramah.And the boy[c]was ministering to theLordin the presence of Eli the priest.