The words I have lent him and he is lent have been discussed under verse 27. Perhaps the meaning is that, just as she made a request to God, God has also requested something of Hannah, namely, that the child be given to him for lifelong service. It may be noticed that the verb tenses of Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation are different. The Hebrew perfect shows the clear intention of permanent dedication to the LORD, but since Hannah is in the act of making this dedication, a present tense seems more appropriate in English. New International Version says “now I give him.” Translators should also be particularly careful of the verb “lend” in this context, because in many languages this word has connotations that are not appropriate here. Hannah is not temporarily lending her child to Yahweh in the hope of getting him back at some point (after he dies?) or getting something else back in return for him. In many languages the verb will be better rendered “give” (New International Version) or “give back” (New Century Version).
And they worshiped the LORD there: the Masoretic Text, followed by New International Version, says “and he worshiped there before the LORD.” It is not clear whether the pronoun “he” refers to Elkanah, to Samuel, or to Eli, but it probably refers to Elkanah. The alternative translation in the New Revised Standard Version footnote is “And he (that is, Elkanah) worshiped there before the LORD.” Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament recommends that translators follow the Masoretic Text here, giving it a {B} rating. However, numerous variants exist here in the ancient manuscripts, and the textual evidence for this last sentence of verse 28 is complicated. The considerable variation in modern translations reflects the confusion. Both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation have followed the reading of the Syriac translation here, which says “they” instead of “he.”
Both New Revised Standard Version and New American Bible change the text here on the basis of readings in the Septuagint and in one Qumran manuscript. Instead of And they worshiped the LORD there, New American Bible says “She left him there, and as she worshiped the LORD, she said.” Anchor Bible also is based on a reconstructed text: “Then she left him there and worshiped Yahweh.”
One Septuagint manuscript omits the words And they worshiped the LORD there at the end of this verse and begins 2.11 (following the prayer in 2.1-10) with the words “and she left him there.” This manuscript is the basis for the New Revised Standard Version translation at the end of verse 28 “She left him there for the LORD.” That is, at the end of verse 28, New Revised Standard Version omits the words “and there he worshiped the LORD” and moves to the end of 1.28 the words “she left him there,” found in this Greek manuscript at 2.11.
Chapter 2.1-10, the Prayer of Hannah, interrupts the narrative, which will continue in 2.11.
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .