Summary: Hannah is unable to have a baby, then after Eli prays she has a boy - Samuel. She dedicates him to the Lord.
Style: Realistic, using much of the scripture words in the dialogue. Duration: 12 minutes
Scripture: 1 Samuel chapter 1 to 2 v 11
Settings: at Hannah and Elkanah’s home and at the Temple at Shiloh
Actors: 3M, 2F, 1M/F, 1C
Characters
Narrator,
Penninah- spiteful wife,
Hannah - respectful gentle wife,
Elkanah - kind husband,
Eli the priest,
Baby in arms (or doll), small child who can say “hello”
Script
[Setting at Hannah and Elkanah’s home]
Narrator Welcome! I have the privilege of introducing you to the first chapter of the book of Samuel. It starts with a man from the tribe of Ephraim. Here he comes [enter Elkanah with a wife on each arm, they stand centre] Elkanah. [bows] And his lovely wives are here too - Hannah [bows] and Penninahinnah. [bows. To Penninah] Penninahinnah, how many children do you have?
Penninah [boastful] Many, many children!
Narrator And you Hannah?
Hannah [sadly] None…yet. I would dearly love to have lots of children
Penninah [to audience, mockingly imitates Hannah in a quiet voice unheard by Elkanah and Hannah] I would dearly love to have lots of children.
Elkanah We must get ready for our trip to Shiloh. [takes Hannah aside so Penninah can’t hear] Hannah, I will as usual, give you double a portion of meat for the sacrifice.
Hannah Thank you dear husband. Is it nearly time to go?
Elkanah I have a few more things to gather [exits and gets sack over shoulder]
Penninah [to Hannah] That person [points to narrator] I don’t know who he/she is, but they were asking about children. You said [nastily mimicking Hannah] “I would dearly love to have lots of children!” Well that’s never going to happen is it Hannah?
Hannah You don’t know that.
Penninah I do, because God has closed your womb - you are infertile! Barren, useless! [Hannah cries quietly] I am the better wife to Elkanah - see how many offspring I have produced for him.
Hannah Again you would provoke me Penninah? Saying the same words as last year. It doesn’t make you a better wife than me, just because I haven’t borne any children.
Penninah Really? I think it does. Because of me, the family line will continue, My children make Elkanah’s household complete. We don’t need any children from you - you can’t have any anyway!
Hannah You are horrible! You do it deliberately to annoy me. [runs, exits L]
Penninah [to audience:] She’s right, I purposely rile her. She is a failure to my husband - and long may it continue! Hah! [exits L]
Elkanah [enters R with bag and apple] Hannah! Penninahinnah! Where are you? It’s time we left. You must be ready by now! [to audience:] Which way did they go? [indicate L stage] Thank you [Elkanah exits L]
Narrator So once again, the family go to Shiloh to present their sacrifices and worship the Lord their God. Eli the priest resides over the ceremonies and Eli’s sons, Hophnie and Phinehas were also temple priests.
[Setting at the temple]
Elkanah [Enters with Penninah holding baby/doll and Hannah, Penninah stands stage R stroking her baby, Elkanah moves centre stage, puts his arm round Hannah who is miserable] My darling Hannah, why do you look so sad? [Hannah cries quietly] What’s the matter? Why are you so downhearted?
Hannah It’s her, [indicates Penninah with head] she is always boasting about her children and mocking me because I have none.
Elkanah Darling, don’t I mean more to you than ten sons? Come, a bit of food will help you feel better [offers an apple, Hannah refuses]
Hannah I can’t eat anything
Elkanah Then drink something.
Hannah No, I am too upset!
Elkanah Tell me what I can do to help you Hannah. I hate to see you so sad.
Hannah I don’t know. Only the Lord can help me. [all exit]
Narrator Here is Eli the priest. [Eli enters and sits mid stage, prayer shawl over head in silence] He comes to sit in his usual place on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s temple. [Hannah enters front stage, does not see Eli, he watches her]
Hannah [in anguish and crying loudly] Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery. Don’t forget me - give me a son. Then I will give him back to you Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head. [walks along stage and back, praying, silently]
Narrator Eli watches Hannah as her lips move, but she makes no sounds.
Eli [stands, approaches Hannah, berates her] How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine.
Hannah [startled and affronted] I haven't been drinking wine or beer! I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Don't take me for a wicked woman! I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.
Eli [he examines her face] Ah my child, I see you are genuine. Go in peace and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked.
Hannah [bows] May your servant find favour in your eyes [looks up to heaven, Eli exits, Elkanah enters]
Elkanah My darling Hannah, look at me. [she does, broadly smiling] You look better, not sad any more?
Hannah No, for I prayed, the priest prayed and I believe God will give us a son.
Elkanah I am pleased if that is so. Come on let’s go home [all exit]
Narrator The family go back to their hometown and in the course of time Hannah conceives and as Eli had prayed, she gives birth to a son.
[Setting: at Hannah and Elkanah’s home]
Elkanah [enter Elkanah, Hannah and baby overjoyed] What shall we call the little man?
Hannah I will call him…..Samuel
Elkanah That’s a good name, doesn’t it mean “Heard of God”?
Hannah Yes, exactly! I asked the Lord for Him and he heard me.
Elkanah Samuel it is then. Hello little Samuel! [they coo over baby then exit]
Narrator It wasn’t long before, once again, it’s time for the yearly pilgrimage.
Elkanah [enters with Penninah and baby] Right, have we got everything?
Penninah [looks around] I think so.
Elkanah What about Hannah and Samuel - where are they?
Penninah I don’t know [to audience:] and I don’t care! Leave them behind!
Elkanah [calls loudly] Hannah! Hannah, where are you? [Hannah enters with baby] You’re not ready! It’s time to go to Shiloh.
Hannah I’m not coming.
Elkanah But we always go together, as a family
Hannah I know that Elkanah, but I have decided I won’t come up for the annual sacrifice this year. Only when the boy is weaned, then I will take him and present him before the Lord. He’s going to live in Shiloh all his life, so let me have some time with him here at home.
Elkanah I see dear and I understand. I am sad you won’t be with us, but for now stay at home. When the time comes, that year, come with us to fulfill your promise to the Lord [Hannah kisses Elkanah goodbye, he strokes baby’s face, smiles. Elkanah and Penninah exit L, Hannah exits R]
[Setting at the temple]
Narrator Sure enough, just as Hannah had promised, after she has weaned Samuel, (which in Bible times could be from the age of 18 months to 5 years) she takes him to the temple [Eli enters and sits], along with a skin of wine and flour. [enter Hannah with small child/toddler, Elkanah with bag over his shoulder stand front of stage] They also bring a bull as a sacrifice. Er... It wasn’t safe to bring a bull today, so you have to imagine that! …When they had slaughtered the bull, they take the boy to Eli
Elkanah Eli, may we speak with you? [Eli stands, approaches, Hannah, Elkanah and child. Hannah moves the child in front of Eli]
Eli [looks at Hannah questioningly] Who is this boy? Do I know you?
Hannah As surely as you live, my Lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord, asking him for a child.
Eli Yes, I remember now
Hannah I prayed to the Lord and he granted me what I asked of him. [to Samuel] Samuel, say hello to the priest - this is Eli I told you about.
Samuel Hello
Hannah So now, I give him to the Lord. To you Eli, to bring him up in the temple. For his whole life he will be dedicated to the Lord.
Eli Praise the Lord! Hello child, we will look after you. [To Hannah] Don’t worry, he will be safe here. You can come and visit whenever you like.
Elkanah We’ll come every year for the celebration. [Elkanah kisses Samuel and exits, Hannah, tearful, stands side stage watching. Eli puts his hand round boy’s shoulders]
Eli Come Samuel, sit with me. Later I will show you around , this will be your home from now on - we will worship the Lord together! [sits with Samuel standing to side]
Hannah [to audience:] I think he will be happy here, don’t you? [smiling, comes centre stage, raises hands and eyes upwards in prayer] Oh Lord, I dedicate Samuel to you! My heart rejoices in the Lord. In the Lord my strength is lifted high [all freeze]
Narrator Hannah prayed a long prayer of gratitude and worship. You can read it in full in Chapter two of One Samuel. Then Elkanah and his family went home and the boy Samuel stayed at Shiloh, ministering before the Lord under Eli the priest.
ALL ENTER AND BOW
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