1 Samuel 1:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Don't think of your servant as a worthless woman; because I have been speaking from the depth of my distress and anger."

Berean Standard Bible:

Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; for all this time I have been praying out of the depth of my anguish and grief.”

American Standard Version:

Count not thy handmaid for a wicked woman; for out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation have I spoken hitherto.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Count^{H5414} not thine handmaid^{H519} for^{H6440} a daughter^{H1323} of Belial^{H1100}: for out of the abundance^{H7230} of my complaint^{H7879} and grief^{H3708} have I spoken^{H1696} hitherto.

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Commentary for 1 Samuel 1:16

1 Samuel 1:16 is a part of the narrative concerning Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel. The verse is set within the historical context of the period of the judges, a time when Israel was in a state of moral and spiritual decline, characterized by cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance. The nation was led by priests, but the priesthood, as exemplified by Eli and his corrupt sons, had become increasingly corrupt and ineffective.

In this verse, Hannah is responding to Eli, the high priest, who has just rebuked her, mistakenly thinking she is drunk because of her fervent and silent prayer in the tabernacle at Shiloh. Hannah clarifies that she is not a "daughter of Belial" (a term used to describe a worthless or wicked person) but is instead pouring out her soul in deep anguish and sorrow due to her barrenness. The themes present in this verse include misunderstanding and false accusation, the depth of personal pain and petition, and the contrast between outward appearances and inward spiritual realities.

Hannah's plight reflects the broader theme of God's concern for the oppressed and marginalized, as well as the power of sincere prayer. Her plea for a child is not merely a personal desire but is also tied to the larger narrative of Israel's need for faithful leadership, which her son Samuel would eventually provide. This verse underscores the importance of prayer and the faithful response of God to the cries of His people, setting the stage for the transition from the period of the judges to the monarchy, with Samuel playing a pivotal role as prophet, priest, and judge.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
2. Strong's Number: H519
   There are 134 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמָה
   Transliteration: ʼâmâh
   Pronunciation: aw-maw'
   Description: apparently a primitive word; a maidservant or female slave; (hand-) bondmaid(-woman), maid(-servant).
   
3. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1323
   There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּת
   Transliteration: bath
   Pronunciation: bath
   Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1100
   There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בְּלִיַּעַל
   Transliteration: bᵉlîyaʻal
   Pronunciation: bel-e-yah'-al
   Description: from בְּלִי and יַעַל;(often in connection with אִישׁ, אִשָּׁה, בֵּן, etc.); without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness; Belial, evil, naughty, ungodly (men), wicked.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7230
   There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֹב
   Transliteration: rôb
   Pronunciation: robe
   Description: from רָבַב; abundance (in any respect); abundance(-antly), all, [idiom] common (sort), excellent, great(-ly, -ness, number), huge, be increased, long, many, more in number, most, much, multitude, plenty(-ifully), [idiom] very (age).
   
7. Strong's Number: H7879
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שִׂיחַ
   Transliteration: sîyach
   Pronunciation: see'-akh
   Description: from שִׂיחַ; a contemplation; by implication, an utterance; babbling, communication, complaint, meditation, prayer, talk.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3708
   There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כַּעַס
   Transliteration: kaʻaç
   Pronunciation: kah'-as
   Description: or (in Job) כַּעַשׂ; from כַּעַס; vexation; anger, angry, grief, indignation, provocation, provoking, [idiom] sore, sorrow, spite, wrath.
   
9. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.