13. Hannah was praying in her heart. Her lips were moving, but since she did not say the words out loud, Eli thought she was drunk.
14. He said to her, “You have had too much to drink. It is time to put away the wine.”
15. Hannah answered, “Sir, I have not drunk any wine or beer. I am deeply troubled, and I was telling the Lord about all my problems.
16. Don’t think I am a bad woman. I have been praying so long because I have so many troubles and am very sad.”
17. Eli answered, “Go in peace. May the God of Israel give you what you asked for.”
18. Hannah said, “May you be happy with me.” Then she left and ate something. She was not sad anymore.
19. Early the next morning Elkanah’s family got up. They worshiped the Lord and then went back home to Ramah. Elkanah had sexual relations with his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered Hannah.
20. By that time the following year, Hannah had become pregnant and had a son. She named him Samuel. She said, “His name is Samuel because I asked the Lord for him.”
21. Elkanah went to Shiloh to offer the sacrifice for that year and the gift he had promised to the Lord. He took his family with him.
22. But Hannah did not go. She told Elkanah, “When the boy is old enough to eat solid food, I will take him to Shiloh. Then I will give him to the Lord. He will become a Nazirite. He will stay there at Shiloh.”
23. Hannah’s husband Elkanah said to her, “Do what you think is best. You may stay home until the boy is old enough to eat solid food. May the Lord do what you have said.” So Hannah stayed at home to nurse her son until he was old enough to eat solid food.