1 Samuel 1:8

Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? [am] not I better to thee than ten sons?

Then said {H559} Elkanah {H511} her husband {H376} to her, Hannah {H2584}, why weepest {H1058} thou? and why eatest {H398} thou not? and why is thy heart {H3824} grieved {H3415}? am not I better {H2896} to thee than ten {H6235} sons {H1121}?

Her husband Elkanah said to her, "Hannah, why are you crying, and why aren't you eating? Why be so sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"

“Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband Elkanah asked. “Why won’t you eat? Why is your heart so grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”

And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?

Commentary

In 1 Samuel 1:8, we witness a poignant moment between Elkanah and his beloved wife, Hannah, during their annual pilgrimage to Shiloh. Elkanah, observing Hannah’s deep distress and refusal to eat, attempts to comfort her by questioning the source of her profound grief and asserting his own value to her, "Am not I better to thee than ten sons?" This verse highlights the tension between human affection and a spiritual longing that only God can fulfill.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of Hannah's barrenness, a significant source of sorrow and reproach in ancient Israelite society. Elkanah had two wives: Hannah, whom he loved, and Peninnah, who had children. The narrative of Peninnah's constant provocation intensified Hannah's suffering, especially during their yearly journey to offer sacrifices to the Lord at Shiloh. Elkanah's words come from a place of genuine affection and concern for his wife, but they also reveal a common male perspective of the time, where his love was intended to compensate for her lack of children, particularly sons.

Key Themes

  • Profound Grief and Barrenness: Hannah's inability to bear children was a source of immense personal and social anguish. In ancient Israel, children, especially sons, were considered a blessing from God and vital for continuing the family line and inheritance. Barrenness could be seen as a sign of divine disfavor, compounding her sorrow.
  • Elkanah's Love and Limited Understanding: While Elkanah clearly loved Hannah more than Peninnah (1 Samuel 1:5), his attempt to comfort her by equating his love with the value of ten sons, though well-intentioned, fell short of addressing the spiritual and cultural depth of her pain. He couldn't fully comprehend her specific longing for a child as a divine gift.
  • The Cultural Value of Sons: The phrase "better to thee than ten sons" underscores the immense societal importance placed on male offspring. Sons ensured the family's legacy, provided security in old age, and were seen as a sign of God's favor (Psalm 127:3).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "better" here is tov (טוֹב), which means good, pleasant, or superior. Elkanah's question, "Am not I tov to thee than ten sons?" is a rhetorical one, intended to reassure Hannah of his profound devotion. It highlights his perception that his love should be sufficient to alleviate her grief, even when compared to the highest cultural ideal of abundant offspring.

Practical Application

This verse offers several valuable lessons for contemporary life:

  • Empathy for Deep Sorrow: It reminds us that some forms of grief run deeper than what human comfort or logic can fully address. Hannah's sorrow was not merely about a lack of children but a spiritual yearning and a societal burden.
  • Limitations of Human Comfort: While Elkanah's love was genuine, his words could not heal Hannah's specific spiritual ache. This shows that even the most loving intentions can fall short when faced with profound, God-directed longings.
  • Understanding Others' Perspectives: We are encouraged to try and understand the specific nature of another's pain, rather than assuming our own solutions or affections are sufficient. Hannah's ultimate solace came from her prayer to God (1 Samuel 1:10), not solely from her husband's comfort.
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Cross-References

  • Ruth 4:15 (9 votes)

    And he shall be unto thee a restorer of [thy] life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.

  • Isaiah 54:6 (4 votes)

    ¶ For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.

  • Job 6:14 (4 votes)

    ¶ To him that is afflicted pity [should be shewed] from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

  • Psalms 43:4 (3 votes)

    Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

  • John 20:13 (3 votes)

    And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

  • John 20:15 (3 votes)

    Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (3 votes)

    Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all [men].