_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 ]