1 Samuel1
New American Standard
1Now there was a man from Ramathaim-zophim from the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
2And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah and the name of the other Peninnah; and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3Now this man would go up from his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of armies in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the Lord there.
4When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters;
5but to Hannah he would give a double portion, because he loved Hannah, but the Lord had closed her womb.
6Her rival, moreover, would provoke her bitterly to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb.
7And it happened year after year, as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, that she would provoke her; so she wept and would not eat.
8Then Elkanah her husband would say to her, “Hannah, why do you weep, and why do you not eat, and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”
9Then Hannah got up after eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the temple of the Lord.
10She, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.
11And she made a vow and said, “Lord of armies, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your bond-servant and remember me, and not forget Your bond-servant, but will give Your bond-servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head.”
12Now it came about, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli was watching her mouth.
13As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were quivering, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought that she was drunk.
14Then Eli said to her, “How long will you behave like a drunk? Get rid of your wine!”
15But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman despairing in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the Lord.
16Do not consider your bond-servant a useless woman, for I have spoken until now out of my great concern and provocation.”
17Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your request that you have asked of Him.”
18She said, “Let your bond-servant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went on her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
19Then they got up early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned again to their house in Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her.
20It came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him of the Lord.”
21Then the man Elkanah went up with all his household to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow.
22But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “I will not go until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, so that he may appear before the Lord and stay there for life.”
23Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you. Stay until you have weaned him; only may the Lord confirm His word.” So the woman stayed and nursed her son until she weaned him.
24Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with a three-year-old bull, one ephah of flour, and a jug of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh, although the child was young.
25Then they slaughtered the bull, and brought the boy to Eli.
26And she said, “Pardon me, my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to the Lord.
27For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my request which I asked of Him.
28So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Samuel 1.
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