The birth of Samuel

In the book of 1 Samuel, chapter one, there is the strange birth of Samuel.

Samuel's mother was Hannah.  Hannah was one of two wives to her husband Elkanah.  Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, bore him many children.  She teased Hannah relentlessly for her inability to bear children.

But Elkanah did not care.  He loved Hannah more than if she bore him ten sons.

Hannah prayed and prayed to the Lord to give her a child.  The priest Eli told her the God may give her what she asked.  That prayer was soon answered.  She bore a child and she named him Samuel.  When her son was three, she took him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh, where she met up with the priest Eli again.  She told Eli that she was giving her son Samuel to him, so that he may dedicate his life to the Lord.