_A.M. 2833. B.C. 1171._ The affliction of Hannah, 1 Samuel 1:1. Her prayer to God, with Eli's blessing, 1 Samuel 1:9. The birth and nursing of Samuel, 1 Samuel 1:19. The presenting of him to God, 1 Samuel 1:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ramathaim-zophim_ The latter word means _watchers_, or _watchmen_, and the former _the Ramahs._ The place is called Ramah, (1 Samuel 1:19,) and seems to have been a village situated on two hills, which, on account of their elevation, commanded extensive prospects, and were proper places from which... [ Continue Reading ]
_He had two wives_ As many had in those days, though it was a transgression of the original institution of marriage. Hannah seems to have been his first wife; and as she proved barren, he was induced, it is probable, through his earnest desire of children, to take another, as Abraham had done, by Sa... [ Continue Reading ]
_To worship in Shiloh_ Where the tabernacle now was, and where all sacrifices were to be offered. Hither all the males were bound to resort at the three great annual feasts, (Deuteronomy 16:16,) and not to appear before the Lord empty. Accordingly Elkanah not only worshipped God with prayers and tha... [ Continue Reading ]
_Portions_ Of those parts of the peace-offerings which belonged to the offerer. These were the whole, except the fat, which belonged to the Lord, and the breast and right shoulder, which were due to the priest, Leviticus 7:34; with the rest the sacrificer made a feast for himself, his family, and fr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion_ Or, a double portion; in token of his extraordinary respect and kindness to her. _For he loved Hannah: but the Lord_ Or, _though the Lord, had shut her womb_ Her barrenness did not cause him to love her less, but rather more; because he would comfort her under... [ Continue Reading ]
_As he did so year by year when she went_, &c. This circumstance is noted as the occasion of the contention, because at such times they were forced to more society with one another, by the way, and in their lodgings; whereas, at home they had distinct apartments, where they might be asunder, and the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Am not I better to thee than ten sons_ Oughtest thou not to value my love to thee more than the having as many sons as Peninnah hath; who would willingly change conditions with thee? In Elkanah here we have an example of a most excellent husband; who patiently bore with the insolent humour of Penin... [ Continue Reading ]
_So Hannah rose up_ The kind words of her husband in a great measure removed her sorrow, and induced her to eat and drink cheerfully. In her we have an example of a dutiful wife; who, sensible of her husband's kindness, endeavoured to please him, by complying with his desires, and avoiding what she... [ Continue Reading ]
_She was in bitterness of soul_ Oppressed with grief, which returned when she was alone, and thought of her barrenness, which made her pray, with many tears, for a child. They had newly offered their peace- offerings, to obtain the favour of God; and in token of their communion with him, they had fe... [ Continue Reading ]
_But wilt give unto thy handmaid_ She thrice calls herself God's handmaid, out of a profound sense of her meanness, and his majesty. And she desires a man-child, because only such could wait upon the Lord in the service of the tabernacle, as she intended her son should do, if God bestowed one upon h... [ Continue Reading ]
_She continued praying_ Hebrew, _multiplied to pray._ By which it appears that she said much more than is here expressed. And in the same light we must view most of the prayers and sermons of other holy persons recorded in the Scriptures, which give us only the sum and substance of what they express... [ Continue Reading ]
_Count not thy handmaid for a daughter of Belial_, &c. A Scripture phrase for a wicked person. Thus, when we are unjustly censured, we should endeavour not only to clear ourselves, but to satisfy our brethren, by giving them a just and true account of what they misapprehended.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Eli said, Go in peace_, &c. Her modest and respectful answer fully satisfied him, and he prayed that God would grant her petition, or, as the Chaldee interprets his words, assured her, that the God of Israel would grant it her. _Let thy handmaid find grace in thy sight _ That favourable opinion an... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord remembered her_ Manifested his remembrance of her by the effect. _She called his name Samuel_ That is, _asked of God. Saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord_ This was the reason of the name; and she gave it him, that he, as well as she, might keep in mind that he was solemnly dedicat... [ Continue Reading ]
_Elkanah and all his house went up_ Hannah only and her child excepted. _And his vow_ By which it appears, though it was not expressed before, that he heard and consented to her vow; and that he added a vow of his own; probably when he saw his wife was with child; or before, when she told him what h... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will not go up till the child be weaned_ Not only from the breast, but from the mother's knee and care, and childish food. She was not bound by the law to go up with her husband; and therefore, though she had been wont to go, she resolved, as became a prudent woman, to stay at home, till the chil... [ Continue Reading ]
_Only the Lord establish his word_ We do not read of any thing the Lord had spoken about this child: but, perhaps Elkanah looked upon what Eli had said as spoken by God, because he was God's high-priest. The Hebrew, however, may be rendered with equal propriety, _The Lord establish his work;_ that i... [ Continue Reading ]
_With three bullocks_, &c. As they were not to appear before the Lord empty, so upon this occasion they brought an ample offering to him, to testify their gratitude. And it is highly probable that one of these bullocks was wholly offered to God as a burnt-offering, and the other two were peace-offer... [ Continue Reading ]
_They slew a bullock_ The three bullocks mentioned 1 Samuel 1:22, the singular number being put for the plural, which is frequent. _As thy soul liveth_ As surely as thou livest. Which asseveration she thought necessary, because this was some years after the fact which she here mentions. _For this ch... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore I have lent him to the Lord_ But not with a purpose to require him again. Whatever we _give_ to the Lord may, upon this account, be said to be _lent_ to him, because, though we may not recall it, yet he will certainly repay it to our unspeakable advantage. _As long as he liveth he shall b... [ Continue Reading ]