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1 Samuel 1:15

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And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I [am] a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

And Hannah {H2584} answered {H6030} and said {H559}, No, my lord {H113}, I am a woman {H802} of a sorrowful {H7186} spirit {H7307}: I have drunk {H8354} neither wine {H3196} nor strong drink {H7941}, but have poured out {H8210} my soul {H5315} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}.

But Hannah answered, "No, my lord, I am a very unhappy woman. I have not drunk either wine or other strong liquor; rather, I've been pouring out my soul before ADONAI.

“No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman oppressed in spirit. I have not had any wine or strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD.

And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Jehovah.

Commentary

1 Samuel 1:15 finds Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, in a moment of profound personal anguish and deep spiritual devotion. This verse captures her earnest response to Eli, the High Priest, who mistakenly believes she is drunk due to her fervent, silent prayer.

Context of 1 Samuel 1:15

The book of 1 Samuel opens with the story of Elkanah and his two wives, Peninnah and Hannah. Hannah was barren, a source of great sorrow and societal shame in ancient Israel. Adding to her distress, Peninnah, who had children, would provoke Hannah yearly, especially during their pilgrimage to Shiloh to worship the LORD. On one such occasion, Hannah was weeping bitterly and praying silently at the tabernacle. Eli, observing her lips moving but hearing no sound, concluded she was intoxicated and rebuked her. Verse 15 is Hannah's dignified and sorrowful reply, clarifying the true nature of her distress.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Heartfelt Supplication: Hannah’s words, "I have poured out my soul before the LORD," emphasize the depth and sincerity of her prayer. It was not a casual request but a desperate plea from the innermost part of her being, a model for how believers can pour out their hearts to God in times of trouble.
  • Misjudgment and Discernment: Eli's initial assumption highlights the danger of judging others based solely on outward appearances or unusual behavior. He failed to discern the spiritual agony that prompted Hannah's intense prayer, a lesson applicable to our interactions with others today.
  • Authenticity in Prayer: Hannah's response reveals her spiritual integrity. She was not concerned with appearances or how others perceived her, but focused solely on her direct communication with God. Her prayer was raw, honest, and unadulterated by external concerns.
  • Sorrow and Hope: Despite her "sorrowful spirit," Hannah turns to the ultimate source of comfort and hope – the LORD. Her action demonstrates that even in the deepest despair, faith can lead one to seek divine intervention and solace.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "a woman of a sorrowful spirit" translates from the Hebrew qashath ruach, which literally means "hard of spirit" or "bitter of soul." It conveys an intense, deep-seated anguish, not just fleeting sadness. Her spirit was burdened and oppressed. When Hannah says she "poured out my soul before the LORD," the Hebrew verb used signifies a complete emptying or unburdening of one's inner self. It's a powerful idiom for profound, earnest, and unreserved prayer, where one holds nothing back from God.

Practical Application

Hannah's experience in 1 Samuel 1:15 offers several timeless lessons. First, it encourages us to bring our deepest sorrows and anxieties directly to God in prayer, holding nothing back. Our prayers don't need to be eloquent or outwardly composed; God hears the cry of a broken and contrite heart. Second, it serves as a reminder to exercise caution and compassion when observing others. What may appear strange or inappropriate on the surface could be a profound spiritual struggle or a moment of intense devotion. We are called to righteous judgment, not superficial condemnation.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Psalms 62:8 (12 votes)

    ¶ Trust in him at all times; [ye] people, pour out your heart before him: God [is] a refuge for us. Selah.

  • Lamentations 2:19 (8 votes)

    Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.

  • Psalms 42:4 (7 votes)

    When I remember these [things], I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

  • Psalms 142:2 (5 votes)

    I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.

  • Psalms 142:3 (5 votes)

    When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.

  • Psalms 143:6 (5 votes)

    I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul [thirsteth] after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

  • Job 30:16 (2 votes)

    And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.