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1 Samuel 1:16

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

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.

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

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.”

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

Commentary

In 1 Samuel 1:16, we witness a pivotal moment in the life of Hannah, a woman deeply distressed by her barrenness and the constant provocation of her rival, Peninnah. This verse records Hannah's earnest and respectful plea to Eli the High Priest, who had mistakenly accused her of being drunk due to her fervent, silent prayer.

Context

This verse immediately follows Eli's misjudgment of Hannah. Distraught over her inability to bear children and burdened by the societal stigma and personal grief associated with it, Hannah had been praying at the tabernacle in Shiloh with such intense devotion that her lips moved but no sound came forth (1 Samuel 1:10). Eli, observing her, concluded she was intoxicated and rebuked her (1 Samuel 1:14). Hannah's response in verse 16 is a powerful defense of her character and an explanation of the depth of her sorrow, clarifying that her unusual behavior stemmed from profound grief, not inebriation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Misjudgment and Understanding: The passage highlights the danger of judging by outward appearance without understanding the inner spiritual condition. Eli's initial harsh judgment is met with Hannah's gentle yet firm clarification, leading to his eventual blessing (1 Samuel 1:17).
  • The Depth of Human Suffering: Hannah's phrase "abundance of my complaint and grief" powerfully conveys the overwhelming sorrow she carried. It reminds us that often, unusual outward expressions can be symptoms of deep inner pain.
  • Sincerity in Prayer: Hannah's prayer, though silent, was so intense that it was mistaken for drunkenness. This underscores the sincerity and passion with which she brought her burdens before God, a sincerity that God ultimately honored (1 Samuel 1:19).

Linguistic Insights

The most striking phrase in this verse is "daughter of Belial." The Hebrew term Belial (בְלִיַּעַל, bĕliyya‘al) literally means "worthlessness," "wickedness," or "scoundrel." It is often used to describe morally corrupt individuals or those associated with evil. To call someone a "daughter of Belial" was a severe insult, implying that the person was utterly worthless, wicked, and devoted to evil, much like those described in Deuteronomy 13:13 or Judges 19:22. Hannah's strong denial shows she was deeply offended by such a grave accusation, asserting her righteousness and devotion.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 1:16 offers several timeless lessons:

  • Beware of Hasty Judgment: Like Eli, we can easily misinterpret others' actions or appearances. This verse serves as a powerful reminder to exercise caution and seek understanding before making assumptions about someone's character or motives (Matthew 7:1).
  • Bring Your Deepest Sorrows to God: Hannah's example encourages us to pour out our hearts to God, no matter how overwhelming our "complaint and grief" may be. God sees the heart and hears the silent cries of those who seek Him earnestly (Psalm 34:17).
  • Defend Your Character with Grace: Hannah's response was respectful yet clear, vindicating herself without resorting to anger or disrespect. This demonstrates a godly way to address false accusations.
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

  • 1 Samuel 2:12 (4 votes)

    Now the sons of Eli [were] sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.

  • Job 10:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

  • Job 10:2 (3 votes)

    I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.

  • Matthew 12:34 (3 votes)

    O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

  • Matthew 12:35 (3 votes)

    A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

  • Job 6:2 (3 votes)

    Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

  • Job 6:3 (3 votes)

    For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.