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Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Get rid of your wine!”
Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have not been drinking wine or strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Yahweh. Don’t consider your servant a wicked woman; for I have been speaking out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation.”
Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him.”
1 Samuel 1:14-17 sits inside this longer paragraph.
As she continued praying before Yahweh, Eli saw her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in her heart. Only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Get rid of your wine!”
Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have not been drinking wine or strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Yahweh. Don’t consider your servant a wicked woman; for I have been speaking out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation.”
Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him.”
Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Get rid of your wine!”
Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have not been drinking wine or strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Yahweh.
Don’t consider your servant a wicked woman; for I have been speaking out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation.”
Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him.”
And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
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.
Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
And Eli said unto her: 'How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.'
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 I poured out my soul before the LORD.
Count not thy handmaid for a wicked woman: for out of the abundance of my complaint and my vexation have I spoken hitherto.'
Then Eli answered and said: 'Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant thy petition that thou hast asked of Him.'
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv14–16 Hebrew, thy wine.
Hebrew, thy wine.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv14–17 1Sa 1:14 And Eli said unto her, How long…
1Sa 1:14 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 that all was not well.
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Put away thy wine from thee.] Go, sleep out thy drunkenness, and this alienation of thy mind, caused by a too liberal use of wine, which thou shouldst rather do, quam ut turpiter eructes coram Iehovah, than do on this sort.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv14–17 Come not before the Lord in thy drunkenness, but…
Come not before the Lord in thy drunkenness, but go and sleep it out, and repent of this thy sin.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv14–17 And Eli said unto her, how long wilt thou…
And Eli said unto her, how long wilt thou be drunken?.... What, every day drunk? what, continually in this wicked practice? when will it be stopped? for Eli might have observed on other days, and at other times, odd looks, and a strange behaviour in her, which he took for the effects of drinking too much wine: or how long will this drunken fit last? she had been a considerable time as he thought in it, and it was not gone off yet: the Targum is,"how long wilt thou behave like a fool, or a mad woman?''as drunken people generally do act, as if they were fools, or mad:
put away thy wine from thee; not as if she had any with her there to drink of, but he advises her, since it had such an effect upon her, to abstain from it, and wholly disuse it, and so break off such an habit and custom she had got into; or he would have her go home and sleep it out, and wait till she had digested it, and the strength of it was gone off, before she came to such a place of devotion and worship; from hence the Jews say (w) it may be learnt, that a drunken person ought not to pray.
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(w) T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 31. 1.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On v16 Count not, &c. - Thus when we are unjustly…
Count not, &c. - 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 that which they misapprehended.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv15–17 Verse 15. I have drunk neither wine nor strong…
Verse 15. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink] Neither wine nor inebriating drink has been poured out unto me; but I have poured out my soul unto the Lord. There is a great deal of delicacy and point in this vindication.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv16–17 1Sa 1:16. Count not thy handmaid for a daughter…
1Sa 1:16. 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.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On v15 See 1Sa 1:2 and note. She means that wine…
See 1Sa 1:2 and note. She means that wine was not the cause of her present discomposure, but grief of heart.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv14–17 Much. Heli’s "son or servant," (Greek: paidarion, according to…
Much. Heli’s "son or servant," (Greek: paidarion, according to the Septuagint) addressed these words to Anna. Her going to pray immediately after a feast, instead of taking recreation, increased the suspicion. (St. Chrysostom, hom. 1.) --- Salien (the year before Christ 1153) observes the many instances of patience which Anna exhibits on this occasion. (Haydock) --- She teaches us not to answer the unjust reproaches of our superiors with haughtiness. (Du Hamel)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv15–17 15. Poured… soul — Expressed the very earnest desires…
15. Poured… soul — Expressed the very earnest desires of her soul.
Before the Lord — In the tabernacle, where the Divine Presence was wont to be manifested.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv15–16 15. of a sorrowful spirit] Lit. “heavy of spirit.”…
15. of a sorrowful spirit] Lit. “heavy of spirit.” “Consider the modesty of Hannah, who, though she suffered injury from the High Priest, nevertheless answers with reverence and humility.” Calvin.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv14, 15, 17 (14) And Eli said unto her.—The LXX. or Septuagint…
(14) And Eli said unto her.—The LXX. or Septuagint attempts to soften the harshness of the high priest to Hannah by inserting before Eli the word “servant,” or “young man,” thus suggesting that the hard, unjust words were spoken by an attendant. But it is clear that the English Version represents the true text here, for in the next verse Hannah replies directly to Eli with the simple words “No, my lord.”
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv15, 17 Hannah answered and said, No, my Lord, I am…
1Sa_1:15-16
Hannah answered and said, No, my Lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit.
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A woman of a sorrowful spirit
The special cause of Hannahs sorrow arose from the institution of polygamy, which, although it was tolerated under the old law, is always exhibited to us in practical action as a most fruitful source of sorrow and sin. The worse the woman the better she could get on with the system of many wives, but the good woman, the true woman, was sure to smart under it. But enough sources of grief remain; and there is not in any household, however joyous, the utter absence of the cross. The worldling say, There is a skeleton in every house. I know little about such dead things, but I know that a cross of some sort or other must be borne by every child of God. The smoking furnace is part of the insignia of the heavenly family, without which a man may well question whether he stands in covenant relationship to God at all. Much that is precious may be connected with a sorrowful spirit. Note well the precious things which went in Hannahs case with a sorrowful spirit. She was a godly woman. As we read the chapter, we are thoroughly certified that her heart was right with God. Many of the sweetest flowers in the garden of grace grow in the shade, and flourish in the drip. True, there are children of the tropical sun, whose beauty and fragrance could only be produced by having bathed themselves in the golden flood, and these, in certain respects, must always stand in the forefront, yet are there choice flowerets to whom the unshaded sun would be death. They prefer a sheltered bank, or a ravine in the forest, under the shadow of the thick boughs, where a softened, mellowed light developes them to perfection. I am persuaded that he who feedeth among the lilies has rare plants in his flora, fair and fragrant, choice and comely, which are more at home in the damps of mourning than in the glaring sun of joy. I have known such, who have been a living lesson to us all, from their broken-hearted penitence, their solemn earnestness, their jealous watchfulness, their sweet humility, and their gentle love.
2. Hannah was a lovable woman.
3. In Hannahs case, too, the woman of a sorrowful spirit was a very gentle woman.
4. There was more, however, than I have shown you, for Hannah was a thoughtful woman, for her sorrow drove her first within herself, and next into much communion with her God. That she was a highly thoughtful woman appears in everything she says. The product of her mind is evidently that which only a cultivated soul could yield.
5. Remember, also, that though she was a woman of a sorrowful spirit, she was a blessed woman. It is now clear that much that is precious may go with a sorrowful spirit.
Much that is precious may come out of a sorrowful spirit: it is not only to be found with it, but may even grow out of it.
1. Observe, first, that through her sorrowful spirit Hannah had learned to pray. In too many cases ease and health bring a chill over supplication, and there is a needs be for a stirring of the fire with the rough iron of trial. Many a flower reserves its odour till the rough wind waves it to and fro, and shakes out its fragrance. As a rule the tried man is the praying man, the angel must wrestle with us in the night before we learn to hold him, and cry, I will not let thee go.
2. In the next place, Hannah had learned self-denial. This is clear, since the very prayer by which she hoped to escape out of her great grief was a self-denying one. She desired a son, that her reproach might be removed; but if her eyes might be blessed with such a sight she would cheerfully resign her darling to be the Lords as long as he lived.
3. Another precious thing had come to this woman, and that was, she had learned faith.
4. Still more of preciousness this woman of a sorrowful spirit found growing out of her sorrow: she had evidently learned much of God. Driven from common family joys she had been drawn near to God, and in that heavenly fellowship she had remained a humble waiter and watcher. In seasons of sacred nearness to the Lord she had made many heavenly discoveries of his name and nature, as her song makes us perceive.
(1) She now knew that the hearts truest joy is not in children, nor even in mercies given in answer to prayer, for she began to sing, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord--not in Samuel, but in Jehovah her chief delight was found. Mine horn is exalted in the Lord.
(2) Next, she had also discovered the Lords glorious holiness, for she sang, There is none holy as the Lord.
(3) She had perceived His all-sufficiency; There is none beside thee; neither is there any rock like our God.
(4) She had found out Gods method in providence, for how sweetly she sings, The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
(5) She had also been taught the way and method of his grace as well as of his providence, for never did a woman show more acquaintance with the wonders of divine grace than she did when she sang, He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory.
(6) She had also seen the Lords faithfulness to his people.
(7) She had foreseen, also, somewhat of His kingdom, and of the glory of it. Her prophetic eye, made brighter and clearer by her holy tears, enabled her to look into the future, and looking, her joyful heart made her sing, He shall give strength unto his King, and exalt the horn of his Anointed.
much that is precious will yet be given to those who are truly the Lords, even though they have a sorrowful spirit.
1. Hannah had her prayers answered.
2. Not only did there come to Hannah after her sorrow an answered prayer, but grace to use that answer.
3. Hannah had acquired another blessing, and that was the power to magnify the Lord.
4. Moreover, her sorrow prepared her to receive further blessings, for after the birth of Samuel she had three more sons and two daughters, God thus giving her five for the one that she had dedicated to him. This was grand interest for her loan: five hundred per cent. Last of all, it was by suffering in patience that she became so brave a witness for the Lord, and could so sweetly sing, There is none holy as the Lord, neither is there any rock like our God. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Hannahs gracious disposition
Hannah still found prayer and patience the best anodynes and antidotes for assuaging her grief; cold patience must quench her corrivals fiery contumely, and hot fervent prayer must quicken and prevail with God to grant her desire; and to animate her devotion the more she adds warm tears thereunto, and, as if all this were not enough, she subjoins likewise her solemn vow to God, saying, If thou wilt give thine hand maid a man child, then will I give him to the Lord all the days of his life. The judge misjudged, and misconstrued her true devotion, as was that of those Primitive Christians (Act_2:13). Thus also both ancient and modern martyrs have been misjudged in all ages, and if we be so in our age, God is not leading us through any untrodden paths; many better than we have tons before us in that way, but our comfort is the day of judgment will judge over again all that are misjudged. (Psa_37:6). Hannah is silent, touching the taunts of Peninnah, that was so peevish to her; and though she could not be so to Elis taunts here, but answers them, yet she setteth not up a loud note at him, calling him a false accuser; nor doth she twit him in the teeth, with bidding him to look better to those drunken whoremasters, his own sons, saying vies corrects sin, as many pert dames would have done in her circumstances; but she gives him a milder answer to his reproaches than the blessed Apostle could scarcely give to the High Priest in his day (Act_23:5) calling him a whited wall, etc., but she here gives the high priest good words, patiently bearing his unjust censurings of her.
3. Here is her prudence, as well as patience, she seeketh to satisfy him against his false judgment. Saith she, I am a woman, in whom drunkenness is more abominable than in men; and thereupon the Romans punished it with death, as well as adultery, and that she was a woman of a troubled spirit, so more likely to be drunk with her own tears (whereof, good soul, she had drunk abundance) rather than with any intoxicating liquors.
4. Behold here, her humility and modesty together with her patience and prudence, none of which could have shined so forth in her, had she been really drunk according to Elis over-severe sentence; notwithstanding Elis rash severity in so misjudging her, yet she useth no railing accusation against him, as is said of Michael against the Devil (Jude verse 9) in calling him an unjust judge. (C. Ness.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv15, 17 I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit
I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit
"I am a woman who is deeply sad"
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pouring out my soul before Yahweh
This is an idiom that means "telling Yahweh my deepest emotions." (See: Idiom)
Do not consider your servant to be
Hannah speaks of herself in the second person to show her humility. It can be stated in first person. AT: "Do not consider me, your servant, to be" or "Do not consider me" (See: First, Second, or Third Person)
I have been speaking out of the abundance of my great concern and provocation
This is another way of saying that she has a "sorrowful spirit," as in 1Sa 1:15. The abstract nouns "abundance," "concern," and "provocation" can be translated as adjectives and verbs. AT: "I have been speaking because I am very sad, and my rival has greatly provoked me" (See: Abstract Nouns)
concern and provocation
These words both mean that Hannah is sad and annoyed because her rival has been provoking her. (See: Doublet)
concern
Peninnah irritates and annoys her.
provocation
Hannah is referring to the grief and shame she feels because Peninnah is being cruel to her.
translationWords
lord
spirit
strong drink
soul
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv16–17 1:16 wicked woman (Hebrew a daughter of Belial): An…
1:16 wicked woman (Hebrew a daughter of Belial): An expression used to describe a worthless person. Belial (“worthlessness”) is later used as a name for Satan (2 Cor 6:15). In Hebrew, a son of or daughter of a quality is a person who exemplifies that quality.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.