14. “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw 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.
16. Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.”
17. “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request 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.
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,
20. and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the lord for him.”