Journey
Hannah and Samuel
A childless woman's prayer at Shiloh, a boy who hears God in the night, and the judge who set up a stone to mark the Lord's help. 1 Samuel 1 to 8.
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Opening stop: Year by year to Shiloh, 1 Samuel 1:3
Shiloh was where the congregation set up the tabernacle in Joshua's day, once the land was subdued (Joshua 18:1), and it was still the place Israel came to sacrifice. Elkanah lived in mount Ephraim (1 Samuel 1:1), and Chronicles lists the same line, Elkanah son of Jeroham back to Zuph, among the Levites, who had towns in Ephraim (1 Chronicles 6:33-35, Joshua 21:20). A loved wife with no children and a rival who has them is a pairing Genesis already knows, in Rachel and Leah (Genesis 30:1). Elkanah asks Hannah four questions. The last is about his own worth to her.
And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.
King James Version
Hannah's childlessness is made harder by Peninnah's repeated provocation during the family's visits to Shiloh. Hannah prays for a son and vows to give him to the Lord for his whole life. Eli first mistakes her silent prayer for drunkenness, then sends her away in peace. After Samuel is born and weaned, Hannah brings him to Shiloh and fulfills her vow.
Continue the journey
This journey has 10 stops. The opening stop is free. Premium opens the rest of the guided path, and every Scripture chapter stays free to read.