Then the <sc>Lordsc> again appeared in Shiloh, for it was in Shiloh that the <sc>Lordsc> had revealed himself to Samuel<n id="1" /> through the word of the <sc>Lordsc>.<n id="2" />

Now I dedicate him to the <sc>Lordsc>. From this time on he is dedicated to the <sc>Lordsc>.&#8221; Then they<n id="1" /> worshiped the <sc>Lordsc> there.p>

So Samuel took a nursing lamb<n id="1" /> and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the <sc>Lordsc>. Samuel cried out to the <sc>Lordsc> on Israel&#8217;s behalf, and the <sc>Lordsc> answered him.p>

But if you don&#8217;t obey<n id="1" /> the <sc>Lordsc> and rebel against what the <sc>Lordsc> says, the hand of the <sc>Lordsc> will be against both you and your king.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="bodytext">So Samuel called to the <sc>Lordsc>, and the <sc>Lordsc> made it thunder and rain that day. All the people were very afraid of both the <sc>Lordsc> and Samuel.

The <sc>Lordsc> rewards each man for his integrity and loyalty.<n id="1" /> Even though today the <sc>Lordsc> delivered you into my hand, I was not willing to extend my hand against the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s chosen one.

<p class="bodytext">Now Samuel did not yet know the <sc>Lordsc>; the word of the <sc>Lordsc> had not yet been revealed to him.

Then Saul built an altar for the <sc>Lordsc>; it was the first time he had built an altar for the <sc>Lordsc>.p> <p class="bodytext">

Why haven&#8217;t you obeyed<n id="1" /> the <sc>Lordsc>? Instead you have greedily rushed upon the plunder! You have done what is wrong in the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s estimation.&#8221;<n id="2" />p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">Now the Spirit of the <sc>Lordsc> had turned away from Saul, and an evil spirit<n id="1" /> from the <sc>Lordsc> tormented him.

May the <sc>Lordsc> judge between the two of us, and may the <sc>Lordsc> vindicate me over you, but my hand will not be against you.

So Saul inquired of the <sc>Lordsc>, but the <sc>Lordsc> did not answer him &#8211; not by dreams nor by Urim<n id="1" /> nor by the prophets.

But Saul swore an oath to her by the <sc>Lordsc>, &#8220;As surely as the <sc>Lordsc> lives, you will not incur guilt in this matter!&#8221;

<p class="poetry">The <sc>Lordsc> both kills and gives life;p> <p class="poetry">he brings down to the grave<n id="1" /> and raises up.p>

<p class="poetry">The <sc>Lordsc> impoverishes and makes wealthy;p> <p class="poetry">he humbles and he exalts.p>

The <sc>Lordsc> called to Samuel, and he replied, &#8220;Here I am!&#8221;

<p class="bodytext">Then the word of the <sc>Lordsc> came to Samuel:

<p class="bodytext">They got up early the next morning and after worshiping the <sc>Lordsc>, they returned to their home at Ramah. Elkanah had marital relations with<n id="1" /> his wife Hannah, and the <sc>Lordsc> remembered<n id="2" /> her.

<t /><p class="bodytext">Hannah prayed,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;My heart rejoices in the <sc>Lordsc>;p> <p class="poetry">my horn<n id="2" /> is exalted high because of the <sc>Lordsc>.p> <p class="poetry">I loudly denounce<n id="3" /> my enemies,p> <p class="poetry">for I am happy that you delivered me.<n id="4" />p>

<p class="poetry">The <sc>Lordsc> shatters<n id="1" /> his adversaries;<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">he thunders against them from<n id="3" /> the heavens.p> <p class="poetry">The <sc>Lordsc> executes judgment to the ends of the earth.p> <p class="poetry">He will strengthen<n id="4" /> his kingp> <p class="poetry">and exalt the power<n id="5" /> of his anointed one.&#8221;<n id="6" />p>