Here’s a
readers’ theatre setting of 1 Samuel 1: 4-20, the Old Testament reading for Proper
28 B (Ordinary 33 B) – the 25th Sunday after Pentecost. It is set for three voices.
Readers’ Theatre: 1
Samuel 1:4-20
One: On the days Elkanah presented his
sacrifice,
he would give portions of the meat
to Peninnah
and each of her children.
And though he loved Hannah,
he would give her only one choice
portion
because the Lord had given
her no children.
So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and
make fun of her
because the Lord had kept
her from having children.
Year after year it was the same—
Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they
went to the Tabernacle.
Each time, Hannah would be reduced
to tears and would not even eat.
And Elkanah would ask,
“Why are you crying, Hannah? And why aren’t you eating?
Why be downhearted just because you
have no children?
You have me—isn’t that better than
having ten sons?
Once after a sacrificial meal at
Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray.
Eli the priest was sitting at his
customary place
beside the entrance of the
Tabernacle.
Hannah was in deep anguish, crying
bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.
And she made this vow:
Two: O Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
if you will look upon my sorrow
and answer my prayer and give me a
son,
then I will give him back to you.
He will be yours for his entire
lifetime,
and as a sign that he has been
dedicated to the Lord,
his hair will never be cut.
One: As she was praying to the Lord, Eli
watched her.
Seeing her lips moving but hearing
no sound,
he thought she had been
drinking.
Three: Must you come here drunk? Throw away your
wine!
Two: Oh no, sir!
I haven’t been drinking wine or
anything stronger.
But I am very discouraged, and I was
pouring out my heart to the Lord.
Don’t think I am a wicked woman!
For I have been praying out of great
anguish and sorrow.
Three: In that case, go in peace!
May the God of Israel grant the
request you have asked of him.
Two: Oh, thank you, sir!
One: Then Hannah went back and began to eat
again,
and she was no longer sad.
The entire family got up early the
next morning
and went to worship
the Lord once more.
Then they returned home to Ramah.
When Elkanah slept with Hannah,
the Lord remembered her
plea,
and in due time she gave birth to a
son.
She named him Samuel, for she
said,
Two: I asked the Lord for him.
