I (Haven't) Got You Babe
- Once upon a time there was a man named Elkanah who had two wives, Peninnah and Hannah. While Peninnah could have children, Hannah could not. This made Hannah very sad (1-6).
- One day, while praying in the temple, Hannah makes a vow to God that if he grants her a son, she'll give him up in service to the Lord. This son will be a Nazerine, which means he won't eat anything unclean (no five second rule for him) and won't cut his hair. We at Shmoop feel this is the opposite of unclean, but alas, what do we know? (7-17).
- After praying, Hannah and her husband "know each other" (that's Bible lingo for doing the dirty). Hannah miraculously conceives and gives birth to a son and names him Samuel (18-20).
- A few years go by and Hannah brings Samuel to the temple. Hannah tells Eli (the priest) that she has lent Samuel to the lord and leaves the young child with Eli.
- Samuel, being a child, somehow seems okay with this, probably because he can't think coherent thoughts yet (21-28).