1 Samuel 1:9

¶ So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.

So Hannah {H2584} rose up {H6965} after {H310} they had eaten {H398} in Shiloh {H7887}, and after {H310} they had drunk {H8354}. Now Eli {H5941} the priest {H3548} sat {H3427} upon a seat {H3678} by a post {H4201} of the temple {H1964} of the LORD {H3068}.

So Hannah got up after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. 'Eli the cohen was sitting on his seat by the doorpost of the temple of ADONAI.

So after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD.

So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest was sitting upon his seat by the door-post of the temple of Jehovah.

Commentary

1 Samuel 1:9 sets the stage for one of the most poignant prayers in the Old Testament, introducing us to Hannah's deep distress and her subsequent encounter with God. After participating in the annual family worship and sacrifice in Shiloh, Hannah rises, her heart heavy with sorrow over her barrenness, and prepares to pour out her soul to the Lord. At this moment, Eli the high priest is seated by a post of the Tabernacle, observing the scene.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse places us in Shiloh, the central place of worship for Israel before the Temple was built in Jerusalem. It was here that the Tabernacle, often referred to as the "temple of the LORD," housed the Ark of the Covenant and served as the primary sanctuary for the nation. Families like Elkanah's made an annual pilgrimage to this sacred site to offer sacrifices and fulfill vows.

Eli, as the high priest, was the spiritual leader of Israel during this period. His position "by a post of the temple" signifies his presence and oversight of the worship activities, highlighting the established religious structure within which Hannah's very personal and desperate prayer would take place. This scene underscores the importance of communal worship while also paving the way for individual spiritual encounters.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Profound Sorrow Leading to Prayer: Hannah's act of rising after the meal underscores her deep spiritual anguish. Her barrenness and the constant provocation from Peninnah drive her to seek solace and intervention directly from God, demonstrating how personal suffering can be a catalyst for fervent prayer.
  • The Significance of Sacred Space: The "temple of the LORD" in Shiloh represents a designated place for encountering God's presence. It was understood as a sanctuary where prayers and sacrifices were received, emphasizing the importance of approaching God in a place of reverence and devotion.
  • Divine Observation and Human Interaction: Eli's presence and watchful eye are crucial. His observation of Hannah's distressed state leads to a significant interaction that provides comfort and a prophetic word, showcasing the role of spiritual leadership in guiding and encouraging the faithful.

Linguistic Insights

The term "temple of the LORD" (Hebrew: hekal YHWH) in this context refers to the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that served as God's dwelling place among His people at Shiloh. While not the stone structure built by Solomon, the word hekal implies a grand, significant, and sacred edifice, emphasizing its divine purpose as a place of encounter between God and His people.

Related Scriptures

Hannah's barrenness and subsequent plea for a child resonate with the stories of other significant matriarchs in Israel's history, such as Sarah (Genesis 18:10) and Rachel (Genesis 30:1), highlighting a recurring biblical theme of God responding to the cries of the barren. This moment directly precedes Hannah's powerful vow to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:11).

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless insights for believers today. It teaches us that even amidst communal worship, there is room for deeply personal and heartfelt prayer. When faced with overwhelming sorrow, disappointment, or unanswered longings, we are encouraged to rise and bring our burdens directly before God. The setting in Shiloh reminds us that while God is everywhere, seeking Him in dedicated spaces of worship can prepare our hearts for profound spiritual encounters, where our cries are heard and our faith is strengthened.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 3:3

    And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God [was], and Samuel was laid down [to sleep];

  • Psalms 27:4

    One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

  • 2 Samuel 7:2

    That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

  • Psalms 5:7

    ¶ But as for me, I will come [into] thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: [and] in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

  • 1 Samuel 3:15

    And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.

  • Psalms 29:9

    The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of [his] glory.
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