1 Samuel 1 | » |
1 And there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim from the hills of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite.
2 And he had two wives, the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the second, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 And this man went up out of his city from year to year, to worship and to sacrifice to Jehovah of Hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of Jehovah, were there.
4 And the time came that Elkanah offered, he gave portions to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters.
5 But to Hannah he gave one double portion, for he loved Hannah. But Jehovah had shut up her womb.
6 And her foe also provoked her grievously, in order to make her tremble, because Jehovah had shut up her womb.
7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of Jehovah, so she provoked her. And she wept and did not eat.
8 And Elkanah her husband said to her, Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?
9 And Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh and after they had drunk. And Eli the priest sat on the seat by the side post of the temple of Jehovah.
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to Jehovah, and wept sorely.
11 And she vowed a vow and said, O, Lord of Hosts, if You will indeed look upon the affliction of Your handmaid and remember me, and not forget Your handmaid, but will give to Your handmaid a man-child, then I will give him to Jehovah all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
12 And it happened as she continued praying before Jehovah, Eli noticed her mouth.
13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart, only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. And Eli thought she had become drunk.
14 And Eli said to her, How long will you be drunken? Put away your wine from you!
15 And Hannah answered, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have neither drunk wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before Jehovah.
16 Do not count your handmaid for a daughter of wickedness, for out of the abundance of my meditation and grief I have spoken until now.
17 And Eli answered and said, Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant to you your petition that you have asked of Him.
18 And she said, Let your handmaid find grace in your sight. So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshiped before Jehovah, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and Jehovah remembered her.
20 And it happened when the time had come around, Hannah conceived and bore a son and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of Jehovah.
21 And the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to Jehovah the yearly sacrifice and his vow.
22 But Hannah did not go up. For she said to her husband, Until the child is weaned, and then I will bring him so that he may appear before Jehovah and stay there forever.
23 And Elkanah her husband said to her, Do what seems good to you. Stay until you have weaned him. Only may Jehovah establish His Word. So the woman stayed and gave her son suck until she weaned him.
24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls and one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of Jehovah in Shiloh. And the child was young.
25 And they killed a bull, and brought the child to Eli.
26 And she said, O, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to Jehovah.
27 For this boy I was praying, and Jehovah has given me my petition which I asked of Him.
28 And I have returned him to Jehovah. As long as he lives, he shall be given to Jehovah. And he worshiped Jehovah there.
The Modern King James Version (MKJV)
The Modern King James Version (MKJV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible that aims to preserve the majesty and accuracy of the original King James Version (KJV) while updating its language for modern readers. Developed by Jay P. Green Sr. and first published in 1990, the MKJV seeks to maintain the literary beauty and doctrinal reliability of the KJV, making only necessary adjustments to archaic terms and phrases to enhance readability. This careful balance allows the MKJV to retain the classic feel of the KJV while making it more accessible to today’s audience.
One of the standout features of the MKJV is its commitment to formal equivalence, or word-for-word translation. The translators have meticulously preserved the structure and vocabulary of the KJV, only updating words and phrases that have become outdated or whose meanings have shifted over time. This approach ensures that the MKJV remains faithful to the original texts and maintains the theological and literary integrity of the KJV. By preserving the cadence and phrasing of the original, the MKJV offers a reading experience that is both familiar and refreshed for modern readers.
The MKJV also pays special attention to the textual basis of the translation. Like the KJV, it relies on the Textus Receptus for the New Testament and the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament. This adherence to traditional source texts underscores the MKJV’s commitment to continuity with the historic Christian tradition. The translation is designed to serve both devotional and scholarly purposes, providing a text that is suitable for study, teaching, and public reading in a variety of settings.
Despite its strengths, the Modern King James Version has faced some criticism. Some scholars and readers argue that the translation could benefit from a more extensive revision to fully embrace contemporary language, suggesting that the MKJV’s adherence to the structure and style of the KJV may still pose challenges for modern readers. Others appreciate the balance it strikes but note that it occupies a niche space, appealing primarily to those who have a strong attachment to the KJV. Nonetheless, the MKJV remains a respected and valued translation for those seeking a modern update of the KJV that honors its rich heritage and timeless message.