University of Virginia Library

Argument extracted from the First and Second Chapter of the First Book of Samuel.

“Now there was a certain Man of Ramathaim-zophim and his Name was Elkanah; and he had two Wives; the Name of the one was Hannah, and the Name of the other Peninnah; and Peninnah had Children, but Hannah had no Children. And this Man went up out of his City yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of Hosts in Shiloh. And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her Sons and her Daughters, Portions. But unto Hannah he gave a worthy Portion, for he loved Hannah; but the Lord had shut up her Womb; and her Adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her Womb—therefore she wept and did not eat. Then said Elkanah her Husband to her, Hannah why weepest thou? am I not better to thee than ten Sons? So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh and after they had drank. (Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a Post of the Temple of the Lord) and she was in bitterness of Soul and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. And she vowed a Vow, and said, O Lord of Hosts, if thou wilt indeed look upon the Affliction of thine Handmaid—and not forget thine Handmaid, but will give unto thine Handmaid a Manchild, then will I give him to the Lord all the Days of his Life; and there shall no Rasor come upon his Head; and it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her Mouth. Now Hannah she spake in her Heart, only her Lips moved, but her Voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. And Eli said how long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy Wine from thee. And Hannah answered and 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 Heart before the Lord—Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace, and the Lord God of Israel grant thee thy Petition— And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remember'd her—that she bare a Son and called his Name Samuel—And Hannah prayed and said, my Heart rejoiceth in the Lord, &c. &c. &c.

The only Liberty Mr. Smart has taken with the sacred Story is that he has introduced the Song of Hannah as a Thanksgiving immediate upon her Acceptance in Shiloh, whereas it was not composed till after the Birth of Samuel. This Liberty he humbly hopes is more pardonable than the total Omission of so pious and beautiful a Piece.