1 Samuel 2:1-21

1 Samuel 2:1-21

[1] And Hannah  prayed,  and said,  My heart  rejoiceth  in the LORD,  mine horn  is exalted  in the LORD:  my mouth  is enlarged  over mine enemies;  because I rejoice  in thy salvation.  [2] There is none holy  as the LORD:  for there is none beside  thee: neither is there any rock  like our God.  [3] Talk  no more  so exceeding  let not arrogancy  come  out of your mouth:  for the LORD  is a God  of knowledge,  and by him actions  are weighed.  [4] The bows  of the mighty men  are broken,  and they that stumbled  are girded  with strength.  [5] They that were full  have hired out  themselves for bread;  and they that were hungry  ceased:  so that the barren  hath born  seven;  and she that hath many  children  is waxed feeble.  [6] The LORD  killeth,  and maketh alive:  he bringeth down  to the grave,  and bringeth up.  [7] The LORD  maketh poor,  and maketh rich:  he bringeth low,  and  lifteth up.  [8] He raiseth up  the poor  out of the dust,  and lifteth up  the beggar  from the dunghill,  to set  them among princes,  and to make them inherit  the throne  of glory:  for the pillars  of the earth  are the LORD'S,  and he hath set  the world  [9] He will keep  the feet  of his saints,  and the wicked  shall be silent  in darkness;  for by strength  shall no man  prevail.  [10] The adversaries  of the LORD  out of heaven  shall he thunder  upon them: the LORD  shall judge  the ends  of the earth;  and he shall give  strength  unto his king,  and exalt  the horn  of his anointed.  [11] And Elkanah  to Ramah  to his house.  And the child  did  minister  unto the LORD  before  Eli  the priest.  [12] Now the sons  of Eli  were sons  of Belial;  they knew  not the LORD.  [13] And the priests'  custom  with the people  was, that, when any man  offered  sacrifice,  the priest's  servant  came,  while the flesh  was in seething,  with a fleshhook  of three  teeth  in his hand;  [14] And he struck  it into the pan,  or kettle,  or caldron,  or pot;  all that the fleshhook  brought up  the priest  took  for himself. So they did  in Shiloh  unto all the Israelites  that came  thither. [15] Also before they burnt  the fat,  the priest's  servant  came,  and said  to the man  that sacrificed,  Give  flesh  to roast  for the priest;  for he will not have  sodden  flesh  of thee, but raw.  [16] And if any man  said  unto him, Let them not fail  the fat  presently,  and then take  as much as thy soul  then he would answer  him, Nay; but thou shalt give  it me now: and if not, I will take  it by force.  [17] Wherefore the sin  of the young men  was very  great  before  the LORD:  for men  abhorred  the offering  of the LORD.  [18] But Samuel  ministered  before  the LORD,  being a child,  girded  with a linen  ephod.  [19] Moreover his mother  made  him a little  coat,  and brought  it to him from year  when she came up  with her husband  to offer  the yearly  sacrifice.  [20] And Eli  blessed  Elkanah  and his wife,  and said,  The LORD  give  thee seed  of this woman  for the loan  which is lent  to the LORD.  And they went  unto their own home.  [21] And  the LORD  visited  Hannah,  so that she conceived,  and bare  three  sons  and two  daughters.  And the child  Samuel  grew  before  the LORD.