Elkanah of Ramathaim-zophim has two wives: Peninnah with children and barren Hannah, whom he loves but who weeps bitterly as her rival provokes her year after year at Shiloh. In anguish, Hannah vows that if the LORD gives her a son, she will dedicate him as a Nazirite; Eli the priest, initially mistaking her silent prayer for drunkenness, blesses her. Hannah conceives and bears Samuel, whose name means 'asked of the LORD'; after weaning him, she brings him to Shiloh with offerings, presenting him to Eli to serve the LORD all his days.
Read 1 Samuel Chapter 1 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Samuel
Last judge and prophet who anointed both Saul and David as kings
Saul
First king of Israel, whose disobedience led to his rejection by God
David
Shepherd boy anointed as future king, man after God's own heart
Jonathan
Saul's son who became David's closest friend despite the rivalry
Hannah
Samuel's mother who prayed for a son and dedicated him to God
Elihu
Young Man who Counseled Job
Eli
High Priest and Judge of Israel
Places in This Chapter
The Temple
View on MapThe Temple in Jerusalem was the permanent house of worship built by Solomon on Mount Moriah. Destroyed by Babylon, it was rebuilt by Zerubbabel and later greatly expanded by Herod. Jesus taught in the Temple courts, cleared it of merchants, and predicted its destruction, which occurred in 70 AD.
Position in Book
Samuel's MinistryChapters 1-7
Samuel's birth and calling, the capture and return of the ark, Samuel as judge over Israel.
Saul's ReignChapters 8-15
David's RiseChapters 16-31