1 Samuel 1 NLT - NIV | Parallel Bible (2025)

New Living Translation NLT

New International Version NIV

1 There was a man named Elkanah who lived in Ramah in the region of Zuph in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, of Ephraim.

1There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.

2 Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not.

2He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.

3 Each year Elkanah would travel to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of Heaven’s Armies at the Tabernacle. The priests of the LORD at that time were the two sons of Eli—Hophni and Phinehas.

3Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the LORD Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the LORD.

4 On the days Elkanah presented his sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to Peninnah and each of her children.

4Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters.

5 And though he loved Hannah, he would give her only one choice portion because the LORD had given her no children.

5But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb.

6 So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the LORD had kept her from having children.

6Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.

7 Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat.

7This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.

8 “Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?”

8Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”

9 Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle.

9Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the LORD’s house.

10 Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the LORD .

10In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly.

11 And she made this vow: “O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, 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 the LORD, his hair will never be cut. ”

11And she made a vow, saying, “LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

12 As she was praying to the LORD, Eli watched her.

12As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth.

13 Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking.

13Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk

14 “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!”

14and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

15 “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the LORD .

15“Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD.

16 Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.”

16Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

17 “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.”

17Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what 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.

18She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

19 The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship the LORD once more. Then they returned home to Ramah. When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the LORD remembered her plea,

19Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her.

20 and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the LORD for him.”

20So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the LORD for him.”

21 The next year Elkanah and his family went on their annual trip to offer a sacrifice to the LORD and to keep his vow.

21When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill 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 the LORD permanently. ”

22Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, “After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the LORD, and he will live there always.”

23 “Whatever you think is best,” Elkanah agreed. “Stay here for now, and may the LORD help you keep your promise. ” So she stayed home and nursed the boy until he was weaned.

23“Do what seems best to you,” her husband Elkanah told her. “Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the LORD make good his word.” So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him.

24 When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice and a basket of flour and some wine.

24After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh.

25 After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Eli.

25When the bull had been sacrificed, they brought the boy to Eli,

26 “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the LORD .

26and she said to him, “Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD.

27 I asked the LORD to give me this boy, and he has granted my request.

27I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.

28 Now I am giving him to the LORD, and he will belong to the LORD his whole life.” And they worshiped the LORD there.

28So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.

1 Samuel 1 NLT - NIV | Parallel Bible (2025)

FAQs

What is 1 Samuel chapter 1 about? ›

Chapter Context

Samuel's mother Hannah is barren. During a family trip to temple of the Lord in Shiloh, she weeps bitterly before the Lord and pours out her grief. She vows to give a son back to the Lord if He will allow her to bear one. Eli the priest blesses her and affirms her prayer.

Is 1 Samuel New Testament? ›

The Book of Samuel (Hebrew: ספר שמואל, Sefer Shmuel) is a book in the Hebrew Bible, found as two books (1–2 Samuel) in the Old Testament.

What is the Bible verse Samuel 1? ›

Bible Gateway 1 Samuel 1 :: NIV. There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah.

What is the story of the first Samuel? ›

First Samuel chronicles the beginning of Israel's monarchy, following the lives of the prophet Samuel, the ill-fated King Saul, and God's ultimate choice of David as king. Several themes feature prominently. Providence: God repeatedly made everyday events work for His purposes.

What is the main message of Samuel 1? ›

1 Samuel Key Themes

God is King of the universe and always has been. No human king can assume kingship except as a deputy of the divine King. God providentially and individually guided the lives of chosen people such as Hannah, Samuel, and David. Even the life of Saul was in God's providential care (see 1 Samuel 9:16).

Why did God shut up Hannah's womb? ›

Rather God had closed her womb so as to define her priorities and faith. The Lord knew that her barrenness would prompt her to make commitments and vows that she would never have made otherwise. Strangely enough, today we can look back over Hannah's life and see the purpose behind Hannah's great trial.

What was God's first message to Samuel? ›

The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." And the LORD said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle.

What is the teaching of 1 Samuel 1? ›

As your soul lives, my LORD, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD. For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.

What does the story of Samuel teach us? ›

Samuel became both a great leader to the Israelites and a prophet of God. Through this Bible story, the children learn that they are not too young to be used by God and that they must listen carefully when God speaks, because he communicates in many ways.

What is the key message in the story of Samuel? ›

Eventually, we see David succeed and fail, much like Saul. The story emphasizes God's faithfulness despite Saul and David's failures and God's promise of a future king who, unlike both Saul and David, will come and perfectly fulfill God's good purposes on Earth.

Why is Samuel important in the Bible? ›

Samuel is an important figure in the Bible who served as a priest and became the first prophet and last judge in Israel. The name Samuel derives its meaning from two Hebrew words Shem meaning "name" and El meaning "God." Based on these derivations, there are two potential translations: "name of God" or "God has heard."

What is the main story of Samuel? ›

God guided Samuel in anointing the first king of Israel, a handsome Benjaminite named Saul. As he proclaimed his farewell, Samuel encouraged the people to abandon idols and serve the one true God. They were warned that if they and King Saul disobeyed, they'd be swept away by God.

What can we learn from Hannah in 1 Samuel 1? ›

Hannah demonstrates her faith through obedience, even when it means an extreme personal sacrifice. She has longed for this child, and she loves him as only a mother can love a child. But her love for God is greater and she shows it by letting go of Samuel.

What is the metaphysical meaning of 1 Samuel 1? ›

The name Samuel (son of Hannah) means “heard of God,” and represents, by implication, the inner voice. The soul craves new ideas direct from God mind; but before one can realize and bring forth new spiritual ideas, the soul must be joyous, confident, and peaceful.

What is the commentary of 1 Samuel? ›

After Saul goes against Yahweh's ways, Yahweh rejects Saul and chooses David, who is then a youth (1 Sam 15–16). The remainder of the book depicts the difficulties between Saul and David. First Samuel illustrates the tension between God's ideal will and people's choices.

What is the concise commentary of 1 Samuel 1? ›

Hannah presented her child to the Lord with a grateful acknowledgment of his goodness in answer to prayer. Whatever we give to God, it is what we have first asked and received from him. All our gifts to him were first his gifts to us. The child Samuel early showed true piety.

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