_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:_ Samuel was in the number of those few in Scripture, that lived and died with glory. His birth, life, and acts take u... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 2. _And he had two wives._] Polygamy was ever a sin, though in the patriarchs and ancient saints, a sin of ignorance. "It was not so from the begin... [ Continue Reading ]
And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, [were] there. Ver. 3. _To worship and to sacrifice,_] viz., Peace offerings. The Rabbis here observe that to worship or pr... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:_ Ver. 4. _And when the time was that Elkanah offered._] He did not forbear to offer, because the priests were wicked and slubbering, as some weak ones did, 1Sa 2:17 abhorring... [ Continue Reading ]
But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. Ver. 5. _But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion._] Heb., A gift of the face; _partem spectabilem; _ a choice dainty piece, such as a man might well set before his best guests, as looking better than... [ Continue Reading ]
And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. Ver. 6. _And her adversary also provoked her sore._] _Aemula eius: num ita vocantur uxores digamorum_ Lev 18:18 Peninnah, her corival, an insolent spiteful creature, vexatious, as the Hebrew word... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 7. _And as he did so year by year._] His kindness to her thus continued, stirreth up the spirit of petulant Peninnah, whom he could not silence, to upbraid her... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? [am] not I better to thee than ten sons? Ver. 8. _Hannah, why weepest thou?_] Children should not be desired too passionately, because they are certain cares, but uncertain comfort... [ Continue Reading ]
So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. Ver. 9. _So Hannah rose up._] Fasting as she was - not in ease to eat, because in heaviness; compare Leviticus 10:19, - she rose up to go to the place... [ Continue Reading ]
And she [was] in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. Ver. 10. _And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed._] Herein she took a right course to get comfort. So did David, Psa 109:4 and Paul, 1Co 4:13 "being defamed we pray." If she should have rendered to Peninnah railing... [ Continue Reading ]
And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. Ver. 12. _And she continued praying._] Heb., Multiplied to pray; as resolved not to give over her suit. Prayer, like those arrows of deliverance, should be multiplied. Luk 18:1 _Misericordiam extorquemas,_ sai... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken._ Ver. 13. _She spake in her heart._] _Vocis egit silentio ut corde clamaret,_ as Augustine saith of Moses. Exo 14:4-5 _Non vex sed votum._ Therefore Eli thought she ha... [ Continue Reading ]
And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. Ver. 14. _How long wilt thou be drunken?_] Eli sat there for the purpose to see good order observed: and seeing Hannah's strange and uncouth gestures, knowing also that she was newly risen from a feast, he suspected... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 15. _No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit._] She was also a woman of a meek and quiet spirit, as appeareth by thi... [ Continue Reading ]
Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. Ver. 16. _Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial._] That is, Of the devil, as all drunkards are confessedly. Behemoth lieth in the fens, Job 40:21 which Gul. Pari... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant [thee] thy petition that thou hast asked of him. Ver. 17. _Go in peace._] Take no further anxious care about this business; but cast thy burden, or thy request, upon the Lord, who will surely grant it. And thou shalt be sure of my... [ Continue Reading ]
And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more [sad]. Ver. 18. _Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight._] _Ineam tecum hanc gratiam ut pro me ores._ Oh that I might be so happy as to have the benefit of thy praye... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 19. _And they rose up in the morning early._] That so they might come home in due time: for they had ten miles t... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, [saying], Because I have asked him of the LORD. Ver. 20. _That she bare a son._] A singular son, _Quem Deus immortalis nasci voluit ut esset in quo virtus per omnes n... [ Continue Reading ]
And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. Ver. 21. _And his vow._] Made first by his wife, and afterwards owned and ratified by himself. And perhaps he vowed something now to God, though it be not said what, besides the child, to show... [ Continue Reading ]
But Hannah went not up; for she said unto 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. Ver. 22. _I will not go up until the child be weaned._] She knew herself not bound to go up, because she wa... [ Continue Reading ]
And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him. Ver. 23. _Do what seemeth thee good._] Wives must be gratified in their lawful and reasonable request... [ Continue Reading ]
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 unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child [was] young. Ver. 24. _With three bullocks._] One for sacrifice, 1Sa 1:25 and the other two for the use of th... [ Continue Reading ]
And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. Ver. 25. _And brought the child to Eli._] Not without a gratuity, that he might have the more care of the child.... [ Continue Reading ]
And she said, Oh my lord, [as] thy soul liveth, my lord, I [am] the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. Ver. 26. _As thy soul liveth._] As sure as thou art alive. Her heart was full, her tongue fluent, in mentioning God's mercy.... [ Continue Reading ]
For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Ver. 27. _For this child I prayed._] A child of many prayers cannot easily miscarry.... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there. Ver. 28. _Therefore also I have lent him._] Or, Returned him whom I have obtained by petition unto the Lord. So did Hunter the martyr's mother: _a_ and Mr Bradford begged... [ Continue Reading ]