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             The priestly families of this time were politically influential. The most important leader of the time for the Ephramites, Samuel"s parents" tribe, was Eli. Whole families made pilgrimages once a year to sanctuaries, such as Shiloh, to worship. 1 Samuel 1:28 gives a narrative account of Elkanah, his two wives, Peninnah and Hannah, and Peninnah"s children, making the pilgrimage. A second wife was a sign of affluence. This was at a time when it was viewed as a disgrace for married women to have no children. Elkanah"s second wife, Penninah, torments Hannah because of her barrenness. Hannah is in great distress and she prays. It was thought that children who are born to older women have a special purpose in life. Hannah"s prayer for a child is heard, and Eli blesses her request for a child. Samuel"s birth was perfectly natural, but the removal of Hannah"s barrenness was entirely God"s doing. (Samuel means "heard by God" in Hebrew.) Scholars believe that one of the purposes of the text is to illustrate God"s hand and purpose in all of these historical events. The story of Hannah should not be read to imply that God will remove our problems, but it does underline our faith and believing in our prayers. The reversal of fortune and grace are other significant themes of 1 Samuel. While Hannah is barren, her prayer is granted and she becomes the mother of six children. Later it is seen that men of privilege (Eli"s sons) die in shame. .

             After Samuel"s birth, Hannah fulfills her promise and takes Samuel to Eli, the priest and judge, to live with his family. One night, Samuel hears a voice, and three times he wakes Eli to find out why he is calling. Eli tells Samuel that he has not called and it must be the Lord speaking to him. God tells Samuel that he (Samuel) will eventually replace Eli and something terrible will happen to Eli"s family. From this and many experiences to come, Samuel becomes known to his people as a prophet, or a messenger of God.