First Reading
1 Samuel 1:1-8
Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.
1There was a man of Ramathaimsophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elcana, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliu, the son of Thohu, the son of Suph, an Ephraimite:
2And he had two wives, the name of one was Anna, and the name of the other Phenenna. Phenenna had children: but Anna had no children.
3And this man went up out of his city upon the appointed days, to adore and to offer sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Silo. And the two sons of Heli, Ophni and Phinees, were there priests of the Lord.
4Now the day came, and Elcana offered sacrifice, and gave to Phenenna his wife, and to all her sons and daughters, portions:
5But to Anna he gave one share with sorrow, because he loved Anna. And the Lord had shut up her womb.
6Her rival also troubled her, and troubled her exceedingly, insomuch that she upbraided her, that the Lord had shut up her womb:
7And thus she did every year, when the time returned that they went up to the temple of the Lord: and thus she provoked her: but Anna wept, and did not eat.
8Then Elcana her husband said to her: Anna, why weepest you? and why do you not eat? And why do you afflict your heart? Am not I better to you than ten children?