1 Samuel1
English Standard Version
Tap any underlined word for the original Hebrew or Greek.
1 There was a of of the of whose was the of , of , of , of , an .
2 He had . The of the was , and the of the , . And had , but had .
3 Now used to by from his to and to to the Lord of at , where the of , and , were of the Lord.
4 On the when , he would to his and to her and .
5 But to he , because he , though the Lord had her .
6 And her used to her to her, because the Lord had her .
7 So it went on by . As to the of the Lord, she used to her. Therefore Hannah and would not .
8 And , her , to her, , do you ? And do you not ? And is your ? Am I not to you than ?
9 they had and in , . Now the was on the beside the of the of the Lord.
10 She was and to the Lord and .
11 And she a and , O Lord of , if you will on the of your and me and not your , but will to your a , then I will him to the Lord all the of his , and no shall his .
12 As she the Lord, her .
13 was in her ; only her , and her was not . Therefore to be a .
14 And to her, will you go on being ? your from you.
15 But , No, my , I am a in . I have neither nor , but I have been my the Lord.
16 Do not your as a , all I have been out of my and .
17 Then , in , and the of your that you have to him.
18 And she , Let your in your . Then the her and , and her was no longer sad.
19 They in the and the Lord; then they went to their at . And his , and the Lord her.
20 And in due and a , and she his , for she said, I have for him from the Lord.
21 The and his to to the Lord the and to pay his .
22 But did not , for she to her , As soon as the is , I will him, so that he may in the presence the Lord and there .
23 her to her, what to you; until you have him; , may the Lord his . So the and her until she him.
24 And when she had him, she with her, along with a , of , and a of , and she him to the of the Lord at . And the was .
25 Then they the , and they the to .
26 And she , , my ! As , my , I am the who was here in your presence, to the Lord.
27 For this I , and the Lord has me my that I to him.
28 Therefore I have him to the Lord. As long as he , he is to the Lord. And he the Lord there.
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1 Samuel 1Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Samuel 1. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Elkanah and his family. (1–8). Hannah's prayer. (9–18). Samuel, Hannah presents him to the Lord. (19–28).
vv1-8
Elkanah kept up his attendance at God's altar, notwithstanding the unhappy differences in his family. If the devotions of a family prevail not to put an end to its divisions, yet let not the divisions put a stop to the devotions. To abate our just love to any relation for the sake of any infirmity which they cannot help, and which is their affliction, is to make God's providence quarrel with his precept, and very unkindly to add affliction to the afflicted. It is evidence of a base disposition, to delight in grieving those who are of a sorrowful spirit, and in putting those out of humour who are apt to fret and be uneasy. We ought to bear one another's burdens, not add to them. Hannah could not bear the provocation. Those who are of a fretful spirit, and are apt to lay provocations too much to heart, are enemies to themselves, and strip themselves of many comforts both of life and godliness. We ought to notice comforts, to keep us from grieving for crosses. We should look at that which is for us, as well as what is against us.
vv9-18
Hannah mingled tears with her prayers; she considered the mercy of our God, who knows the troubled soul. God gives us leave, in prayer, not only to ask good things in general, but to mention that special good thing we most need and desire. She spoke softly, none could hear her. Hereby she testified her belief of God's knowledge of the heart and its desires. Eli was high priest, and judge in Israel. It ill becomes us to be rash and hasty in censures of others, and to think people guilty of bad things while the matter is doubtful and unproved. Hannah did not retort the charge, and upbraid Eli with the wicked conduct of his own sons. When we are at any time unjustly censured, we have need to set a double watch before the door of our lips, that we do not return censure for censure. Hannah thought it enough to clear herself, and so must we. Eli was willing to acknowledge his mistake. Hannah went away with satisfaction of mind. She had herself by prayer committed her case to God, and Eli had prayed for her. Prayer is heart's ease to a gracious soul. Prayer will smooth the countenance; it should do so. None will long remain miserable, who use aright the privilege of going to the mercy-seat of a reconciled God in Christ Jesus.
vv19-28
Elkanah and his family had a journey before them, and a family of children to take with them, yet they would not move till they had worshipped God together. Prayer and provender do not hinder a journey. When men are in such haste to set out upon journeys, or to engage in business, that they have not time to worship God, they are likely to proceed without his presence and blessing. Hannah, though she felt a warm regard for the courts of God's house, begged to stay at home. God will have mercy, and not sacrifice. Those who are detained from public ordinances, by the nursing and tending of little children, may take comfort from this instance, and believe, that if they do that duty in a right spirit, God will graciously accept them therein. Hannah presented her child to the Lord with a grateful acknowledgment of his goodness in answer to prayer. Whatever we give to God, it is what we have first asked and received from him. All our gifts to him were first his gifts to us. The child Samuel early showed true piety. Little children should be taught to worship God when very young. Their parents should teach them in it, bring them to it, and put them on doing it as well as they can; God will graciously accept them, and will teach them to do better.
Key Words
אֶחָד: properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
אִישׁ: a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
רָמָתַיִם צוֹפִים: Ramathajim-Tsophim, a place in Palestine
הַר: a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
אֶפְרַיִם: Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
שֵׁם: an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
אֶלְקָנָה: Elkanah, the name of several Israelites
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
יְרֹחָם: Jerocham, the name of seven or eight Israelites
אֱלִיהוּ: Elihu, the name of one of Job's friends, and of three Israelites
Cross References
1 Samuel 1Hannah's vow that 'no razor come upon his head' matches the biblical law of the Nazarite.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Establishes Elkanah's Levite genealogy (under Heman/Samuel), clarifying his service and lineage.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Illustrates the ancient custom of giving a larger or choice portion to show special favor.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the domestic tension in polygamous homes where the loved wife is barren (Rachel/Hannah).
Supported by Matthew Poole
Elkanah's necessary legal confirmation of his wife's vow according to Pentateuchal law.
Supported by JFB
Reflects the law warning against taking a rival wife, illustrating the resulting domestic vexation.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Mary's Magnificat echoes Hannah's language regarding God looking upon 'the affliction/low estate of his handmaid'.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Exemplifies the spiritual practice of pouring out one's heart/soul before God in distress.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The Mosaic command to bring sacrifices, tithes, and portions exclusively to the Lord's chosen place.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The prescription for three annual pilgrimages, explaining Elkanah's regular journeys to worship.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Elkanah's faithful worship contrasts sharply with the wickedness of Eli's sons officiating there.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God remembering a barren woman (Rachel), mirroring His action toward Hannah here.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Defines the phrase 'daughter of Belial' (worthless/wicked person) using Pentateuchal background.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Specifies bringing offerings and vows to the centralized place of worship (Shiloh).
Supported by Matthew Poole