Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 1

Introduction

Overview

1 Samuel 1:1, Elkanah, a Levite, having two wives, worships yearly at Shiloh; 1 Samuel 1:4, He cherishes Hannah, though barren, and provoked by Peninnah; 1 Samuel 1:9, Hannah in grief prays for a child; 1 Samuel 1:12, Eli first rebuking her, afterwards blesses her; 1 Samuel 1:19, Hannah, having born Samuel, stays at home till he is weaned; 1 Samuel 1:24, She presents him, according to her vow, to the Lord.

Verse 1

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. 1 Samuel 1:19, Matthew 27:57, Arimathea

mount: Judges 17:1, Judges 19:1

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

Zuph: 1 Samuel 9:5

Ephrathite: 1 Samuel 17:12, Judges 12:5, Ruth 1:2, 1 Kings 11:26

Reciprocal: Genesis 35:11 - a nation Genesis 48:7 - Rachel Exodus 6:24 - Elkanah Joshua 18:25 - Ramah Judges 4:5 - between 1 Samuel 7:17 - his return 1 Chronicles 6:26 - Zophai 1 Chronicles 6:27 - Eliab 1 Chronicles 6:35 - Zuph Luke 23:51 - Arimathaea

Verse 2

two: Genesis 4:19, Genesis 4:23, Genesis 29:23-29, Judges 8:30, Matthew 19:8

but: Genesis 16:1, Genesis 16:2, Genesis 25:21, Genesis 29:31, Judges 13:2, Luke 1:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 11:30 - barren 1 Samuel 30:5 - two wives 2 Kings 4:14 - she hath no child

Verse 3

yearly: Heb. from year to year, Exodus 23:14, Exodus 23:17, Exodus 34:23, Deuteronomy 16:16, Luke 2:41

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

Shiloh: 1 Samuel 1:9, Joshua 18:1, Judges 18:31, Psalms 78:60, Jeremiah 7:12-14

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

Reciprocal: Joshua 19:51 - in Shiloh Judges 19:18 - the house 1 Samuel 1:21 - General 1 Samuel 2:19 - from year to year

Verse 4

offered: Leviticus 3:4, Leviticus 7:15, Deuteronomy 12:5-7, Deuteronomy 12:17, Deuteronomy 16:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 30:1 - Rachel envied Deuteronomy 21:15 - two wives Psalms 11:6 - portion 1 Corinthians 7:33 - how

Verse 5

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 נסןףשנןם in Greek, which literally mean a face, are used for a person. Genesis 43:34, Genesis 45:22

he loved: Genesis 29:30, Genesis 29:31, Deuteronomy 21:15

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

Reciprocal: Genesis 30:23 - General 1 Samuel 9:23 - Bring Job 3:10 - it shut not Luke 1:7 - they had

Verse 6

adversary: Leviticus 18:18, Job 6:14

provoked her: Heb. angered her

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:4 - her mistress Genesis 20:18 - General Genesis 30:23 - General Judges 11:37 - bewail 1 Samuel 2:5 - waxed feeble 1 Samuel 3:3 - the temple 2 Samuel 6:23 - Michal Job 17:2 - provocation Job 19:5 - plead Job 24:21 - evil Psalms 37:1 - Fret Isaiah 4:1 - reproach Luke 1:25 - to take

Verse 7

year: 1 Samuel 2:19

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

Reciprocal: Leviticus 10:19 - should Judges 19:18 - the house Job 17:2 - provocation Job 24:21 - evil Psalms 102:4 - so that Jeremiah 41:5 - to the

Verse 8

why weepest: 2 Samuel 12:16, 2 Samuel 12:17, 2 Kings 8:12, Job 6:14, John 20:13, John 20:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:14

am not: Ruth 4:15, Psalms 43:4, Isaiah 54:1, Isaiah 54:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 40:7 - Wherefore Leviticus 10:19 - should 2 Kings 4:14 - she hath no child 2 Kings 6:28 - What aileth thee Psalms 102:4 - so that Isaiah 56:5 - better Acts 21:13 - to weep

Verse 9

1 Samuel 3:3, 1 Samuel 3:15, 2 Samuel 7:2, Psalms 5:7, Psalms 27:4, Psalms 29:9

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 1:3 - Shiloh 1 Samuel 4:13 - sat upon Malachi 2:13 - covering

Verse 10

in bitterness of soul: Heb. bitter of soul, Ruth 1:20, 2 Samuel 17:8, Job 7:11, Job 9:18, Job 10:1, Isaiah 38:15, Isaiah 54:6, Lamentations 3:15

prayed: Psalms 50:15, Psalms 91:15, Luke 22:44, Hebrews 5:7

wept sore: Genesis 50:10, Judges 21:2, 2 Samuel 13:36, 2 Kings 20:3, Jeremiah 13:17, Jeremiah 22:10

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 22:2 - discontented 1 Samuel 30:6 - grieved 2 Kings 4:27 - vexed Job 3:20 - the bitter Psalms 119:145 - cried Proverbs 14:10 - heart Proverbs 31:6 - of heavy hearts Malachi 2:13 - covering 1 Peter 5:7 - Casting

Verse 11

vowed: Genesis 28:20, Numbers 21:2, Numbers 30:3-8, Judges 11:30, Ecclesiastes 5:4

look: Genesis 29:32, Exodus 4:31, 2 Samuel 16:12, Psalms 25:18

remember: 1 Samuel 1:19, Genesis 8:1, Genesis 30:22, Psalms 132:1, Psalms 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: Numbers 6:5, Judges 13:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:2 - childless Genesis 25:21 - entreated Exodus 2:25 - looked Leviticus 5:4 - to do evil Leviticus 27:2 - When Deuteronomy 23:23 - That which Judges 11:31 - shall surely Judges 11:39 - to his vow 1 Samuel 1:22 - and there 1 Samuel 1:27 - For this 2 Samuel 15:8 - thy servant Psalms 27:4 - dwell Psalms 56:12 - Thy Psalms 66:14 - when Psalms 119:132 - Look Proverbs 31:2 - the son of my vows Lamentations 1:9 - behold Matthew 2:23 - He shall Matthew 19:14 - Suffer Mark 10:14 - Suffer Luke 1:48 - regarded

Verse 12

continued praying: Heb. multiplied to pray, Luke 11:8-10, Luke 18:1, Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, James 5:16

Verse 13

spake: Genesis 24:42-45, Nehemiah 2:4, Psalms 25:1, Romans 8:26

she had: Zechariah 9:15, Acts 2:13, 1 Corinthians 13:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:45 - speaking Psalms 5:1 - consider my

Verse 14

How long: Joshua 22:12-20, Job 8:2, Psalms 62:3, Proverbs 6:9, Matthew 7:1-3

put away: Job 11:14, Job 22:23, Proverbs 4:24, Ephesians 4:25, Ephesians 4:31

Reciprocal: Acts 2:13 - These Ephesians 4:22 - ye

Verse 15

my Lord: Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 25:15

of a sorrowful spirit: Heb. hard of spirit

poured: Psalms 42:4, Psalms 62:8, Psalms 142:2, Psalms 142:3, Psalms 143:6, Lamentations 2:19

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 7:6 - drew water 2 Chronicles 9:1 - communed Psalms 25:1 - do I Psalms 102:1 - poureth Psalms 119:145 - cried Isaiah 26:16 - in trouble Jeremiah 20:12 - for Daniel 4:19 - My Lord Acts 2:15 - these Philippians 4:6 - in

Verse 16

a daughter: 1 Samuel 2:12, 1 Samuel 10:27, 1 Samuel 25:25, Deuteronomy 13:13

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

complaint: or, meditation

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

Verse 17

Go: 1 Samuel 25:35, 1 Samuel 29:7, Judges 18:6, 2 Kings 5:19, Mark 5:34, Luke 7:50, Luke 8:48

the God: 1 Chronicles 4:10, Psalms 20:3-5

Reciprocal: Exodus 4:18 - Go in peace Joshua 14:13 - blessed 1 Samuel 20:42 - Go in peace 1 Kings 8:26 - And now Acts 16:36 - and go

Verse 18

Let thine: Genesis 32:5, Genesis 33:8, Genesis 33:15, Ruth 2:13

went her: Ecclesiastes 9:7, John 16:24, Romans 15:13, Philippians 4:6, Philippians 4:7

Reciprocal: Luke 18:14 - went

Verse 19

they rose: 1 Samuel 9:26, Psalms 5:3, Psalms 55:17, Psalms 119:147, Mark 1:35

knew: Genesis 4:1

and the Lord: 1 Samuel 1:11, Genesis 8:1, Genesis 21:1, Genesis 30:22, Psalms 25:7, Psalms 136:23, Luke 23:42

Reciprocal: Genesis 45:5 - God Judges 4:5 - between 1 Samuel 2:21 - visited 1 Samuel 7:17 - his return 2 Kings 4:17 - General 1 Chronicles 6:27 - Elkanah Psalms 127:3 - children Luke 1:25 - hath

Verse 20

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

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:20 - Adam Genesis 29:31 - he opened Genesis 30:17 - General Genesis 30:22 - remembered Genesis 48:9 - my sons Judges 13:3 - but thou 1 Samuel 2:5 - the barren 1 Samuel 2:21 - visited 2 Kings 4:17 - General 1 Chronicles 6:27 - Elkanah 1 Chronicles 6:33 - Shemuel Psalms 127:3 - children Isaiah 7:14 - shall call Luke 1:13 - thy prayer Luke 1:25 - hath Hebrews 11:32 - Samuel

Verse 21

1 Samuel 1:3, Genesis 18:19, Joshua 24:15, Psalms 101:2

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 12:26 - thy vows 1 Samuel 2:19 - from year to year Luke 2:41 - went

Verse 22

then: Deuteronomy 16:16, Luke 2:22, Luke 2:41, Luke 2:42

and there: 1 Samuel 1:11, 1 Samuel 1:28, 1 Samuel 2:11, 1 Samuel 2:18, 1 Samuel 3:1, Psalms 23:6, Psalms 27:4

for ever: Exodus 21:6, Leviticus 25:23, Joshua 4:7, Psalms 110:4, Isaiah 9:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:8 - and was Deuteronomy 15:17 - for ever Judges 11:39 - to his vow Matthew 19:14 - Suffer Mark 10:14 - Suffer

Verse 23

Do what: Numbers 30:7-11

the Lord: 2 Samuel 7:25, Isaiah 44:26

son suck: Genesis 21:7, Genesis 21:8, Psalms 22:9, Matthew 24:19, Luke 11:27

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 3:21 - give

Verse 24

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

she took: Numbers 15:9, Numbers 15:10, Deuteronomy 12:5, Deuteronomy 12:6, Deuteronomy 12:11, Deuteronomy 16:16

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

house: 1 Samuel 4:3, 1 Samuel 4:4, Joshua 18:1

Reciprocal: Judges 11:39 - to his vow 1 Kings 11:20 - weaned Psalms 26:7 - That Psalms 56:12 - Thy Matthew 19:13 - brought Matthew 19:14 - Suffer Luke 18:15 - they brought

Verse 25

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

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 1:24 - three bullocks

Verse 26

as thy soul: 1 Samuel 17:55, 1 Samuel 20:3, Genesis 42:15, 2 Samuel 11:11, 2 Samuel 14:19, 2 Kings 2:2, 2 Kings 2:4, 2 Kings 2:6, 2 Kings 4:30

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:6 - God Genesis 30:17 - General 1 Samuel 25:26 - and as thy Psalms 116:1 - because Proverbs 13:12 - when John 16:21 - for

Verse 27

For this: 1 Samuel 1:11-13, Matthew 7:7

and the Lord: Psalms 66:19, Psalms 116:1-5, Psalms 118:5, 1 John 5:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 25:21 - entreated Genesis 29:31 - he opened Genesis 30:17 - General Genesis 33:5 - children Genesis 48:9 - my sons Ruth 4:13 - the Lord 1 Samuel 2:20 - loan Psalms 26:7 - That Psalms 127:3 - children Mark 10:14 - Suffer John 16:21 - for

Verse 28

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," - 1 Samuel 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: Genesis 24:26, Genesis 24:48, Genesis 24:52, 2 Timothy 3:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 28:20 - vowed Leviticus 27:2 - When Numbers 6:2 - to vow Judges 11:31 - shall surely Judges 11:39 - to his vow 1 Samuel 1:22 - and there 1 Samuel 2:11 - minister 1 Samuel 2:20 - loan 1 Chronicles 6:33 - Shemuel Proverbs 22:6 - when Proverbs 31:2 - the son of my vows Ecclesiastes 12:1 - Remember Mark 10:14 - Suffer 2 Corinthians 8:5 - first