1 Samuel1
New Living Translation
1There was a man named Elkanah who lived in Ramah in the region of Zuph in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, of Ephraim.
2Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not.
3Each year Elkanah would travel to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies at the Tabernacle. The priests of the Lord at that time were the two sons of Eli—Hophni and Phinehas.
4On the days Elkanah presented his sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to Peninnah and each of her children.
5And though he loved Hannah, he would give her only one choice portion because the Lord had given her no children.
6So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children.
7Year 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.
8“Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “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?”
9Once 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.
10Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.
11And she made this vow: “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.”
12As she was praying to the Lord, Eli watched her.
13Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking.
14“Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!”
15“Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord.
16Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.”
17“In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.”
18“Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.
19The 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,
20and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.”
21The next year Elkanah and his family went on their annual trip to offer a sacrifice to the Lord and to keep his vow.
22But Hannah did not go. She told her husband, “Wait until the boy is weaned. Then I will take him to the Tabernacle and leave him there with the Lord permanently.”
23“Whatever you think is best,” Elkanah agreed. “Stay here for now, and may the Lord help you keep your promise.” So she stayed home and nursed the boy until he was weaned.
24When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice and a basket of flour and some wine.
25After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Eli.
26“Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord.
27I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request.
28Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they 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