1 Samuel 1:19

KJV

¶ And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they rose up {H7925} in the morning {H1242} early {H7925}, and worshipped {H7812} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}, and returned {H7725}, and came {H935} to their house {H1004} to Ramah {H7414}: and Elkanah {H511} knew {H3045} Hannah {H2584} his wife {H802}; and the LORD {H3068} remembered {H2142} her.

Complete Jewish Bible

They got up early in the morning and worshipped before ADONAI, then returned and came to their house in Ramah. Elkanah had sexual relations with Hannah his wife, and ADONAI remembered her.

Berean Standard Bible

The next morning Elkanah and Hannah got up early to bow in worship before the LORD, and then returned home to Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her.

American Standard Version

And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before Jehovah, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and Jehovah remembered her;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 1:19 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Hannah, detailing the faithful actions of Elkanah and Hannah following their annual pilgrimage to Shiloh. This verse describes their diligent worship, their return to the routines of daily life in Ramah, and culminates in the profound declaration of divine intervention: "the LORD remembered her." It encapsulates themes of devout obedience, the integration of spiritual experience with domestic life, and God's sovereign, compassionate response to fervent prayer, setting the immediate stage for the miraculous conception and birth of Samuel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Hannah's deeply emotional and desperate prayer at the tabernacle in Shiloh, where she poured out her soul to the LORD and made a solemn vow to dedicate her future child to Him if her barrenness were overcome [1 Samuel 1:10-11](/1-samuel/1-10-11 "1 Samuel 1:10-11 - Hannah's Bitter Prayer and Vow"). Eli, the high priest, had initially misunderstood her fervent prayer for drunkenness but later blessed her, saying, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him" [1 Samuel 1:17](/1-samuel/1-17 "1 Samuel 1:17 - Eli's Blessing"). Verse 19 then describes the couple's actions immediately after this significant spiritual encounter, transitioning from the sacred space of worship back to their domestic life, where God's promised blessing would manifest. It serves as the bridge between Hannah's petition and the miraculous answer in the subsequent verse [1 Samuel 1:20](/1-samuel/1-20 "1 Samuel 1:20 - The Birth of Samuel").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is ancient Israel during the period of the judges, a time characterized by spiritual decline and moral decay, yet also marked by pockets of sincere faith. Annual pilgrimages to central worship sites like Shiloh, where the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant were located, were a vital part of Israelite religious life, fulfilling the Mosaic Law's requirements for presenting sacrifices and offerings [Deuteronomy 16:16](/deuteronomy/16-16 "Deuteronomy 16:16 - Three Annual Feasts"). Within this culture, barrenness was not merely a personal sorrow but often carried significant social stigma, as it was perceived as a divine curse or a sign of disfavor, leading to immense distress for women like Hannah. The act of "knowing" one's wife refers to marital intimacy, the natural means through which God often works to fulfill His extraordinary purposes, even when human efforts seem insufficient.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully illustrates several enduring themes. Firstly, it highlights **Faithful Worship and Obedience**, as Elkanah and Hannah consistently observed their religious duties, rising early to worship before the LORD. This commitment underscores their piety and sets the stage for divine favor, demonstrating that even amidst personal anguish, devotion to God remains paramount. Secondly, the phrase "the LORD remembered her" introduces the theme of **God's Remembrance and Answered Prayer**. In biblical terms, God "remembering" (Hebrew: _zakhar_) signifies an an active, purposeful engagement and intervention on behalf of someone, not merely a cognitive recall. This divine remembrance is the direct, compassionate response to Hannah's earnest petition, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His promises and His power to overcome what seems impossible, echoing similar divine interventions for barren women such as [Sarah in Genesis 21:1](/genesis/21-1 "Genesis 21:1 - God Remembers Sarah") and [Rachel in Genesis 30:22](/genesis/30-22 "God Remembers Rachel"). Lastly, the verse subtly weaves together **Marital Intimacy and Divine Providence**, showing how God works through ordinary human means ("Elkanah knew Hannah his wife") to bring about His extraordinary purposes, making the subsequent conception of Samuel a clear act of God's sovereign hand.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **morning (Hebrew, _bôqer'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to break forth," this term refers to the dawn or early part of the day. Its inclusion here, alongside "early" (from H7925 shakam, to rise early), emphasizes the diligence and promptness of Elkanah and Hannah in fulfilling their religious duties. It signifies their commitment to God, making their worship not a casual act but a prioritized and intentional beginning to their day.
* **knew (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** While this Hebrew verb has a broad semantic range, encompassing cognitive knowledge, experiential understanding, and even intimate relationship, its use in this context is a well-established biblical euphemism for sexual intercourse. It signifies the physical union between Elkanah and Hannah, highlighting the natural means through which God's supernatural intervention would manifest. This detail underscores the integration of human agency and divine sovereignty in the process of conception.
* **remembered (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** This term is a crucial theological concept in the Old Testament. When God "remembers," it is far more than a mere cognitive recall of a past event or person. Instead, _zakhar_ implies an active, purposeful turning of divine attention towards someone, often involving a compassionate and decisive intervention on their behalf. It signifies God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, His compassionate response to the cries of His people, and His active involvement in human affairs to bring about His will. In Hannah's case, God's remembrance means He acted decisively to open her womb and grant her the child she had fervently prayed for.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD":** This clause highlights the couple's continued piety and dedication. Rising "early" signifies diligence and eagerness in their religious duties, demonstrating their commitment to God even after the emotional intensity of Hannah's prayer. Their act of worship "before the LORD" at Shiloh, following Hannah's vow and Eli's blessing, underscores their trust in God's potential answer and marks the conclusion of their annual pilgrimage rituals before returning home.
* **"and returned, and came to their house to Ramah":** This describes their journey back to their home in Ramah, signifying a transition from the sacred space of the tabernacle to the ordinary sphere of their domestic life. It emphasizes the integration of their spiritual experiences with their daily existence, suggesting that God's work is not confined to the temple but extends into every aspect of life, including the mundane routines of home.
* **"and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife":** This is a common biblical idiom for marital relations, indicating the natural and intimate act within the marriage covenant. Its inclusion here is significant as it provides the human means through which God's miraculous intervention would take place, setting the stage for the physical conception. It highlights that God often works through ordinary human processes to achieve His extraordinary purposes.
* **"and the LORD remembered her":** This is the theological climax of the verse. It asserts that Hannah's subsequent conception was not a mere biological occurrence but a direct, sovereign act of God. "Remembered" signifies God's active, favorable intervention in response to Hannah's fervent prayer and vow, demonstrating His faithfulness, compassion, and power to overcome barrenness. It is the divine answer that makes the impossible possible, confirming His attentiveness to the cries of His people.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Juxtaposition** is evident in the movement from corporate worship at Shiloh to the private intimacy of the marital bed in Ramah, demonstrating how God's work transcends both public and private spheres. The phrase "Elkanah knew Hannah his wife" is a clear **Euphemism** or **Idiom** for sexual intercourse, a common biblical device that maintains decorum while conveying a clear meaning. Most profoundly, the statement "the LORD remembered her" is an example of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human characteristic (remembering) to God, but in a way that conveys His active, purposeful, and compassionate intervention rather than a mere cognitive act. This divine "remembrance" functions as the **Climax** of the verse, providing the ultimate theological explanation for the subsequent events.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 1:19 is a profound testament to God's attentiveness to the prayers of His people and His sovereign power to intervene in human circumstances. It underscores the biblical truth that God is not distant but intimately involved in the lives of His faithful, particularly those who seek Him diligently. Hannah's story, culminating in God's "remembrance," serves as a powerful paradigm for understanding divine providence: God often works through ordinary human means to accomplish extraordinary purposes, demonstrating His faithfulness to His promises and His compassion for the afflicted. This verse encapsulates the hope that even in seemingly impossible situations, fervent prayer, coupled with faithful worship, can move the heart of God to act decisively.

* [Genesis 21:1](/genesis/21-1 "Genesis 21:1 - God Remembers Sarah")
* [Genesis 30:22](/genesis/30-22 "Genesis 30:22 - God Remembers Rachel")
* [Psalm 105:8](/psalm/105-8 "Psalm 105:8 - God Remembers His Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 1:19 offers immense encouragement for believers today, reinforcing the truth that God hears and responds to the sincere and persistent prayers of His people. Hannah's journey from deep anguish to divine remembrance reminds us that even in seasons of profound personal sorrow, perceived barrenness (whether physical, spiritual, or circumstantial), or long-deferred hopes, God is attentive and actively involved. Our consistent worship and obedience, coupled with fervent prayer, position us to experience God's active "remembrance" and intervention in our lives. This verse teaches us to trust in God's perfect timing and His ability to bring life, purpose, and blessing out of what may seem like hopeless or barren situations, urging us to maintain faith and devotion even when the answer is not immediately apparent. It calls us to patience, perseverance in prayer, and unwavering trust in God's compassionate sovereignty.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Hannah's consistent worship, even in her distress, challenge my own approach to prayer and devotion during difficult times?**
* **What does God's "remembrance" of Hannah teach me about His character and His active involvement in my personal circumstances?**
* **In what areas of my life do I feel "barren" or in need of God's sovereign intervention, and how can this verse encourage my faith in those areas?**
* **How does the combination of human action ("Elkanah knew Hannah") and divine action ("the LORD remembered her") inform my understanding of God's providence?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for "the LORD remembered her" in this context?**

Answer: In biblical language, when God "remembers" someone, it signifies much more than a simple cognitive recall. It implies an active, purposeful, and often compassionate intervention on behalf of the person remembered. It means God is turning His attention to them with favor, acting decisively to fulfill a promise, respond to a plea, or bring about His will. In Hannah's case, it means God actively intervened to open her womb and enable her to conceive, directly answering her fervent prayer and fulfilling the blessing pronounced by Eli [1 Samuel 1:17](/1-samuel/1-17 "1 Samuel 1:17 - Eli's Blessing"). It underscores God's faithfulness and His sovereign power to overcome what is humanly impossible.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Samuel 1:19 directly describes God's miraculous intervention in Hannah's life, it powerfully foreshadows the ultimate divine remembrance and intervention found in Jesus Christ. Hannah's barrenness and subsequent miraculous conception of Samuel, a prophet who would anoint kings and usher in a new era for Israel, points to a greater spiritual barrenness that afflicts humanity—our inability to produce spiritual life or righteousness on our own. Just as God "remembered" Hannah in her distress, He "remembered" His covenant promises to humanity by sending His Son, Jesus, to overcome the ultimate barrenness of sin and death. The "remembrance" of God culminates in the incarnation, where God actively entered human history to redeem His people. Through Christ, the seemingly impossible becomes possible: spiritual barrenness is overcome, and new life is granted to those who believe [John 3:3-7](/john/3-3 "John 3:3-7 - Born Again"). Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), is the ultimate answer to humanity's deepest cry, providing a spiritual lineage far greater than any physical one. His sacrifice and resurrection are the definitive acts of God's remembrance, securing for believers not just a child, but eternal life and adoption into God's family [Galatians 4:4-7](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4-7 - Adoption as Sons").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 21:1

¶ And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.

Genesis 30:22

And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.

1 Samuel 1:11

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

Genesis 4:1

¶ And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

1 Samuel 9:26

And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.

Genesis 8:1

¶ And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that [was] with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;

Psalms 119:147

¶ I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.