Bible Commentary


A A



1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:

2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.

4 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

5 But to Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.

6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.

7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weep you? and why eat you not? and why is your heart grieved? am not I better to you than ten sons?

9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat on a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.

10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD, and wept sore.

11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid, and remember me, and not forget your handmaid, but will give to your handmaid a man child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come on his head.

12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.

13 Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

14 And Eli said to her, How long will you be drunken? put away your wine from you.

15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

16 Count not your handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken till now.

17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant you your petition that you have asked of him.

18 And she said, Let your handmaid find grace in your sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.

20 Why it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.

21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

22 But Hannah went not up; for she said to her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever.

23 And Elkanah her husband said to her, Do what seems you good; tarry until you have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman stayed, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.

25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

26 And she said, Oh my lord, as your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman that stood by you here, praying to the LORD.

27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of him:

28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.


Ramathaimzophim: This ancient town, now called Ramla, is, according to Phocas, about thirty-six miles west of Jerusalem, and, according to modern travellers, about nine miles from Joppa and a league from Lydda, between which it is situated. It is built on a rising ground, on a rich plain, and contains about two thousand families. 1Sa 1:19, Mat 27:57, Arimathea

mount: Jdg 17:1, Jdg 19:1

Elkanah: 1Ch 6:25-27, 1Ch 6:34

Zuph: 1Sa 9:5

Ephrathite: 1Sa 17:12, Jdg 12:5, Rth 1:2, 1Ki 11:26

Reciprocal: Gen 35:11 - a nation Gen 48:7 - Rachel Exo 6:24 - Elkanah Jos 18:25 - Ramah Jdg 4:5 - between 1Sa 7:17 - his return 1Ch 6:26 - Zophai 1Ch 6:27 - Eliab 1Ch 6:35 - Zuph Luk 23:51 - Arimathaea

two: Gen 4:19, Gen 4:23, Gen 29:23-29, Jdg 8:30, Mat 19:8

but: Gen 16:1, Gen 16:2, Gen 25:21, Gen 29:31, Jdg 13:2, Luk 1:7

Reciprocal: Gen 11:30 - barren 1Sa 30:5 - two wives 2Ki 4:14 - she hath no child

yearly: Heb. from year to year, Exo 23:14, Exo 23:17, Exo 34:23, Deu 16:16, Luk 2:41

to worship: Deu 12:5-7, Deu 12:11-14

Shiloh: 1Sa 1:9, Jos 18:1, Jdg 18:31, Psa 78:60, Jer 7:12-14

And the: 1Sa 1:9, 1Sa 2:12-17, 1Sa 2:34, 1Sa 3:13, 1Sa 4:4, 1Sa 4:11, 1Sa 4:17, 1Sa 4:18

Reciprocal: Jos 19:51 - in Shiloh Jdg 19:18 - the house 1Sa 1:21 - General 1Sa 2:19 - from year to year

offered: Lev 3:4, Lev 7:15, Deu 12:5-7, Deu 12:17, Deu 16:11

Reciprocal: Gen 30:1 - Rachel envied Deu 21:15 - two wives Psa 11:6 - portion 1Co 7:33 - how

a worthy portion: or, a double portion, The Hebrew phrase, manah achath appayim, is correctly rendered by Gesenius, ein Stud fur zwei personen, doppelle Portion, "a portion for two persons, a double portion;" for aph in Hebrew, and προσωπον in Greek, which literally mean a face, are used for a person. Gen 43:34, Gen 45:22

he loved: Gen 29:30, Gen 29:31, Deu 21:15

shut up: Gen 20:18, Gen 30:2

Reciprocal: Gen 30:23 - General 1Sa 9:23 - Bring Job 3:10 - it shut not Luk 1:7 - they had

adversary: Lev 18:18, Job 6:14

provoked her: Heb. angered her

Reciprocal: Gen 16:4 - her mistress Gen 20:18 - General Gen 30:23 - General Jdg 11:37 - bewail 1Sa 2:5 - waxed feeble 1Sa 3:3 - the temple 2Sa 6:23 - Michal Job 17:2 - provocation Job 19:5 - plead Job 24:21 - evil Psa 37:1 - Fret Isa 4:1 - reproach Luk 1:25 - to take

year: 1Sa 2:19

when she: or, from the time that she, Heb. from her going up

Reciprocal: Lev 10:19 - should Jdg 19:18 - the house Job 17:2 - provocation Job 24:21 - evil Psa 102:4 - so that Jer 41:5 - to the

why weepest: 2Sa 12:16, 2Sa 12:17, 2Ki 8:12, Job 6:14, Joh 20:13, Joh 20:15, 1Th 5:14

am not: Rth 4:15, Psa 43:4, Isa 54:1, Isa 54:6

Reciprocal: Gen 40:7 - Wherefore Lev 10:19 - should 2Ki 4:14 - she hath no child 2Ki 6:28 - What aileth thee Psa 102:4 - so that Isa 56:5 - better Act 21:13 - to weep

1Sa 3:3, 1Sa 3:15, 2Sa 7:2, Psa 5:7, Psa 27:4, Psa 29:9

Reciprocal: 1Sa 1:3 - Shiloh 1Sa 4:13 - sat upon Mal 2:13 - covering

in bitterness of soul: Heb. bitter of soul, Rth 1:20, 2Sa 17:8, Job 7:11, Job 9:18, Job 10:1, Isa 38:15, Isa 54:6, Lam 3:15

prayed: Psa 50:15, Psa 91:15, Luk 22:44, Heb 5:7

wept sore: Gen 50:10, Jdg 21:2, 2Sa 13:36, 2Ki 20:3, Jer 13:17, Jer 22:10

Reciprocal: 1Sa 22:2 - discontented 1Sa 30:6 - grieved 2Ki 4:27 - vexed Job 3:20 - the bitter Psa 119:145 - cried Pro 14:10 - heart Pro 31:6 - of heavy hearts Mal 2:13 - covering 1Pe 5:7 - Casting

vowed: Gen 28:20, Num 21:2, Num 30:3-8, Jdg 11:30, Ecc 5:4

look: Gen 29:32, Exo 4:31, 2Sa 16:12, Psa 25:18

remember: 1Sa 1:19, Gen 8:1, Gen 30:22, Psa 132:1, Psa 132:2

a man child: Heb. seed of men

I will give: Samuel, as a descendent of Levi, was the Lord’s property, from twenty-five years of age till fifty; but the vow here implies that he should be consecrated to the Lord from his infancy to his death, and that he should not only act as a Levite, but as a Nazarite.

there: Num 6:5, Jdg 13:5

Reciprocal: Gen 15:2 - childless Gen 25:21 - entreated Exo 2:25 - looked Lev 5:4 - to do evil Lev 27:2 - When Deu 23:23 - That which Jdg 11:31 - shall surely Jdg 11:39 - to his vow 1Sa 1:22 - and there 1Sa 1:27 - For this 2Sa 15:8 - thy servant Psa 27:4 - dwell Psa 56:12 - Thy Psa 66:14 - when Psa 119:132 - Look Pro 31:2 - the son of my vows Lam 1:9 - behold Mat 2:23 - He shall Mat 19:14 - Suffer Mar 10:14 - Suffer Luk 1:48 - regarded

continued praying: Heb. multiplied to pray, Luk 11:8-10, Luk 18:1, Eph 6:18, Col 4:2, 1Th 5:17, Jas 5:16

spake: Gen 24:42-45, Neh 2:4, Psa 25:1, Rom 8:26

she had: Zec 9:15, Act 2:13, 1Co 13:7

Reciprocal: Gen 24:45 - speaking Psa 5:1 - consider my

How long: Jos 22:12-20, Job 8:2, Psa 62:3, Pro 6:9, Mat 7:1-3

put away: Job 11:14, Job 22:23, Pro 4:24, Eph 4:25, Eph 4:31

Reciprocal: Act 2:13 - These Eph 4:22 - ye

my Lord: Pro 15:1, Pro 25:15

of a sorrowful spirit: Heb. hard of spirit

poured: Psa 42:4, Psa 62:8, Psa 142:2, Psa 142:3, Psa 143:6, Lam 2:19

Reciprocal: 1Sa 7:6 - drew water 2Ch 9:1 - communed Psa 25:1 - do I Psa 102:1 - poureth Psa 119:145 - cried Isa 26:16 - in trouble Jer 20:12 - for Dan 4:19 - My Lord Act 2:15 - these Php 4:6 - in

a daughter: 1Sa 2:12, 1Sa 10:27, 1Sa 25:25, Deu 13:13

out of: Job 6:2, Job 6:3, Job 10:1, Job 10:2, Mat 12:34, Mat 12:35

complaint: or, meditation

Reciprocal: Jdg 19:22 - sons of Belial Job 21:4 - is my complaint Psa 5:1 - consider my Psa 42:4 - I pour Psa 102:1 - poureth Psa 142:2 - poured out Jon 2:2 - by reason of mine Joh 20:15 - if

Go: 1Sa 25:35, 1Sa 29:7, Jdg 18:6, 2Ki 5:19, Mar 5:34, Luk 7:50, Luk 8:48

the God: 1Ch 4:10, Psa 20:3-5

Reciprocal: Exo 4:18 - Go in peace Jos 14:13 - blessed 1Sa 20:42 - Go in peace 1Ki 8:26 - And now Act 16:36 - and go

Let thine: Gen 32:5, Gen 33:8, Gen 33:15, Rth 2:13

went her: Ecc 9:7, Joh 16:24, Rom 15:13, Php 4:6, Php 4:7

Reciprocal: Luk 18:14 - went

they rose: 1Sa 9:26, Psa 5:3, Psa 55:17, Psa 119:147, Mar 1:35

knew: Gen 4:1

and the Lord: 1Sa 1:11, Gen 8:1, Gen 21:1, Gen 30:22, Psa 25:7, Psa 136:23, Luk 23:42

Reciprocal: Gen 45:5 - God Jdg 4:5 - between 1Sa 2:21 - visited 1Sa 7:17 - his return 2Ki 4:17 - General 1Ch 6:27 - Elkanah Psa 127:3 - children Luk 1:25 - hath

when the time was come about: Heb. in revolution of days, Samuel. that is, Asked of God. Because. Gen 4:25, Gen 5:29, Gen 16:11, Gen 29:32-35, Gen 30:6-21, Gen 41:51, Gen 41:52, Exo 2:10, Exo 2:22, Mat 1:21

Reciprocal: Gen 3:20 - Adam Gen 29:31 - he opened Gen 30:17 - General Gen 30:22 - remembered Gen 48:9 - my sons Jdg 13:3 - but thou 1Sa 2:5 - the barren 1Sa 2:21 - visited 2Ki 4:17 - General 1Ch 6:27 - Elkanah 1Ch 6:33 - Shemuel Psa 127:3 - children Isa 7:14 - shall call Luk 1:13 - thy prayer Luk 1:25 - hath Heb 11:32 - Samuel

1Sa 1:3, Gen 18:19, Jos 24:15, Psa 101:2

Reciprocal: Deu 12:26 - thy vows 1Sa 2:19 - from year to year Luk 2:41 - went

then: Deu 16:16, Luk 2:22, Luk 2:41, Luk 2:42

and there: 1Sa 1:11, 1Sa 1:28, 1Sa 2:11, 1Sa 2:18, 1Sa 3:1, Psa 23:6, Psa 27:4

for ever: Exo 21:6, Lev 25:23, Jos 4:7, Psa 110:4, Isa 9:7

Reciprocal: Gen 21:8 - and was Deu 15:17 - for ever Jdg 11:39 - to his vow Mat 19:14 - Suffer Mar 10:14 - Suffer

Do what: Num 30:7-11

the Lord: 2Sa 7:25, Isa 44:26

son suck: Gen 21:7, Gen 21:8, Psa 22:9, Mat 24:19, Luk 11:27

Reciprocal: 1Ki 3:21 - give

am 2839, bc 1165, An, Ex, Is, 326

she took: Num 15:9, Num 15:10, Deu 12:5, Deu 12:6, Deu 12:11, Deu 16:16

three bullocks: The LXX, Syriac, and Arabic, read "a bullock of three years old;" which is probably correct, as we read - 1Sa 1:25 that they slew eth happar, "the bullock."

house: 1Sa 4:3, 1Sa 4:4, Jos 18:1

Reciprocal: Jdg 11:39 - to his vow 1Ki 11:20 - weaned Psa 26:7 - That Psa 56:12 - Thy Mat 19:13 - brought Mat 19:14 - Suffer Luk 18:15 - they brought

brought: Luk 2:22, Luk 18:15, Luk 18:16

Reciprocal: 1Sa 1:24 - three bullocks

as thy soul: 1Sa 17:55, 1Sa 20:3, Gen 42:15, 2Sa 11:11, 2Sa 14:19, 2Ki 2:2, 2Ki 2:4, 2Ki 2:6, 2Ki 4:30

Reciprocal: Gen 21:6 - God Gen 30:17 - General 1Sa 25:26 - and as thy Psa 116:1 - because Pro 13:12 - when Joh 16:21 - for

For this: 1Sa 1:11-13, Mat 7:7

and the Lord: Psa 66:19, Psa 116:1-5, Psa 118:5, 1Jn 5:15

Reciprocal: Gen 25:21 - entreated Gen 29:31 - he opened Gen 30:17 - General Gen 33:5 - children Gen 48:9 - my sons Rth 4:13 - the Lord 1Sa 2:20 - loan Psa 26:7 - That Psa 127:3 - children Mar 10:14 - Suffer Joh 16:21 - for

lent him: or, returned him, whom I have obtained by petition

to the Lord: The word hishilteehoo, "I have lent him," is the Hiphil conjugation of shual, "he asked," - 1Sa 2:27, and refers to the name of Samuel.

he shall be: or, he whom I have obtained by petition shall be returned

he worshipped: Gen 24:26, Gen 24:48, Gen 24:52, 2Ti 3:15

Reciprocal: Gen 28:20 - vowed Lev 27:2 - When Num 6:2 - to vow Jdg 11:31 - shall surely Jdg 11:39 - to his vow 1Sa 1:22 - and there 1Sa 2:11 - minister 1Sa 2:20 - loan 1Ch 6:33 - Shemuel Pro 22:6 - when Pro 31:2 - the son of my vows Ecc 12:1 - Remember Mar 10:14 - Suffer 2Co 8:5 - first