Peninah, Elkanah's other wife, had sons and daughters. Elkanah loved Hannah more than Peninah, and gave her richer presents than he gave to Peninah. Yet she was very unhappy, and often in tears. This family lived in Ramah, and every year Elkanah went to Shiloh to offer a sacrifice in the tabernacle, Hannah went with him.

And she came to the tabernacle in Shiloh, and prayed ear

nestly, and made a vow that if God would give her a son he should serve God, obey his parents, and drink no wine.

Eli was high priest in the tabernacle. He saw Hannah's lips moving, but could not tell what she said, for she spoke softly. Eli thought she had been drinking, and he said to her, How long wilt thou be drunken? Put away thy wine from thee. Hannah said, No, my lord; I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have

poured out my soul before the Lord. Then Eli said, Go in peace, and may the Lord give thee what thou hast asked of him. Hannah was pleased at the high priest's words, and went away with a glad countenance. And she and her husband returned to Ramah.

And the Lord remembered Hannah, and gave her a son, which she called Samuel. After the birth of Samuel, Elkanah went again to Shiloh, but Hannah stayed at home till Samuel was weaned. And after that she said she would take him to

the tabernacle at Shiloh, because she had promised that he should serve the Lord in the tabernacle.

Elkanah said, Do what seemeth thee good; so she staid at home and took care of her child. When she had weaned him, she took him to Shiloh, and she and her husband offered a bullock to the Lord. Then they brought the child to Eli; and Hannah said to the high priest, O my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here and prayed God to give me a child. He heard my prayer, and this is the child he gave me. Therefore I have brought him back to serve the Lord as long as he lives. So she left Samuel to stay with the high priest at the tabernacle.

Eli the high priest had two sons. Their names were Hophni and Phinehas. And they also were priests; but they were not good men like their father, and did not try to please God.

When a man brought a sacrifice it was the custom for the priests to burn only a part of it on the altar. They kept back some for themselves to eat, and gave the rest to the man that he might eat of it, and, if he chose, make a feast for his friends.

But the sons of Eli took more than their share of the sacrifice. And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now and if not, I will take it by force.

But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. His mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him when she came up with her husband to the yearly sacrifice. And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and prayed that God would give them other children.

Notwithstanding the evil ways of Hophni and Phinehas, Elkanah and Hannah went to Shiloh year after year, to worship God and to visit with their son.

Now Eli was very old, and he heard of the evil deeds of his sons. And he said to them, Why do ye such things? But he did not punish them, as he should have done, nor shut them out of the tabernacle because they were not fit to be priests. So they kept on in their sins. And there came a man of God to Eli, with a message from the Lord.

The Lord was greatly provoked with Eli, and said to him, Why do you allow your sons to take more than their portion of the offerings? Because of this evil both thy sons shall die on the same day.

And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli And the word of the Lord was precious in those days.

And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; and ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; that the Lord called Samuel: and he an

swered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

One night he lay down to sleep, and Ely lay down also. And Samuel heard a voice calling, Samuel. And he answered, Here am I. And he ran to Eli, for he thought it was his voice, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. Eli said, I did not call thee; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And Samuel heard the voice again, and he arose and went to Eli and said, Here am I, for thou didst call me. Eli said, I did not call thee, my son; lie down again. Samuel heard the voice a third time, and arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I, for thou didst call me. Then Eli knew that it was the Lord who had spoken to Samuel.

Therefore Eli told Samuel to lie down, and if he heard the voice again, to say, Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down.

And the Lord came and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. And Samuel answered, Speak, for thy servant heareth. Then the Lord told Samuel that he was going to do a deed that would send a thrill of terror throughout Israel. He would punish Eli and his sons, because the sons had done wicked things, and Eli had not restrained them. He had cared more to please his sons than to please God. And now, though they should offer up sacrifices and burnt offerings, God would not forgive them or spare their lives. Samuel lay until morning, and then opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to show Eli the vision. But Eli called Samuel to him, saying, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me, or it will be worse for thee.

And Samuel told him every word, and hid nothing from him. And Eli said, It is the Lord; let him do what seemeth to him good.

And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and all Israel knew that Samuel was a prophet of the Lord.

Now the children of Israel were in camp at Ebenezer. And they set out to attack the Philistines, who were at Aphek. And the Philistines overcame them, and slew about