1 Samuel 1:14

And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.

And Eli {H5941} said {H559} unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken {H7937}? put away {H5493} thy wine {H3196} from thee.

'Eli said to her, "How long are you going to stay drunk? Stop drinking your wine!"

and said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put away your wine!”

And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.

Commentary

In 1 Samuel 1:14, we witness a poignant moment of misunderstanding between Eli, the High Priest, and Hannah, a woman deeply burdened by her barrenness. This verse captures Eli's mistaken accusation, setting the stage for Hannah's heartfelt explanation and revealing key insights into prayer, perception, and spiritual leadership.

Context of Eli's Accusation

This verse is situated during a significant annual pilgrimage to the Tabernacle at Shiloh, where Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, was pouring out her soul to God in fervent prayer (1 Samuel 1:10). Her lips moved, but no sound was heard (1 Samuel 1:13), a practice that may have been unusual or misinterpreted by onlookers. Eli, observing her intense, silent supplication, hastily concluded she was intoxicated. This scene highlights the spiritual atmosphere at Shiloh during a period when spiritual discernment was perhaps waning among some leaders, as later evidenced by Eli's own sons.

Eli's Misjudgment

Eli's immediate assumption that Hannah was "drunken" speaks to a potential lack of spiritual sensitivity or perhaps a familiarity with individuals who indeed came to the Tabernacle in an inappropriate state. His question, "How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee," is a direct and somewhat harsh rebuke. It underscores the danger of forming conclusions based solely on outward appearances without seeking to understand the underlying spiritual reality. This moment serves as a cautionary tale against judging by mere outward appearance.

Hannah's Earnest Prayer

The contrast between Eli's perception and Hannah's true state of spiritual earnestness is stark. Hannah was not indulging in wine; she was experiencing profound grief and desperation, praying with such intensity that her body language suggested intoxication to an untrained eye. Her prayer was a desperate plea for a child, a desire that would eventually lead to the birth of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:20), one of Israel's greatest prophets and judges. This incident underscores the power of a fervent and sincere prayer.

Key Themes and Applications

  • Hasty Judgment: Eli's error serves as a powerful reminder against making quick, negative judgments about others, especially concerning their spiritual state. We are called to exercise patience and seek understanding rather than condemnation.
  • Genuine Prayer: Hannah's example illustrates the depth and intensity of genuine prayer, where one pours out their soul to God regardless of how it might appear to others.
  • Spiritual Discernment: The passage highlights the importance of spiritual discernment, particularly for leaders. Eli's failure to discern Hannah's true condition reveals a spiritual blind spot.
  • Misunderstanding and Grace: Despite the initial misjudgment, Hannah responds with respect and clarifies her situation (1 Samuel 1:15), and Eli, in turn, offers a blessing. This interaction teaches us about navigating misunderstandings with grace.

Reflection

1 Samuel 1:14 encourages us to look beyond the surface, to extend grace, and to remember that true spiritual devotion can sometimes manifest in ways that are easily misunderstood. It also affirms the validity of intense, heartfelt prayer, even when it appears unconventional to observers.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Job 22:23

    If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.

  • Job 11:14

    If iniquity [be] in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.

  • Matthew 7:1

    Judge not, that ye be not judged.

  • Matthew 7:3

    And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

  • Job 8:2

    How long wilt thou speak these [things]? and [how long shall] the words of thy mouth [be like] a strong wind?

  • Proverbs 6:9

    How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

  • Joshua 22:12

    And when the children of Israel heard [of it], the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them.
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