Study Desk

And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters.

But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the LORD had closed her womb.

Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, [fn] for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now."

So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, [fn] saying, "Because I have asked for him from the Lord."

But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "Not until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the LORD and remain there forever."

For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.

"No one is holy like the LORD, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.

"Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the LORD is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed.

Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, And the hungry have ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven, And she who has many children has become feeble.

He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory. "For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, And He has set the world upon them.

He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. "For by strength no man shall prevail.

Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; and the priest would take for himself all that the fleshhook brought up. So they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there.

Also, before they burned the fat, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who sacrificed, "Give meat for roasting to the priest, for he will not take boiled meat from you, but raw."

Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, "The LORD give you descendants from this woman for the loan that was given to the LORD." Then they would go to their own home.

So he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people.

No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the LORD's people transgress.

If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?" Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the LORD desired to kill them.

Therefore the LORD God of Israel says: "I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.' But now the LORD says: "Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.

And you will see an enemy in My dwelling place, despite all the good which God does for Israel. And there shall not be an old man in your house forever.