9 Then Hannah rose after eating and drinking in Shiloh . Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the temple of the Lord . 10 She, [1]greatly distressed , prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly . 11 She made a vow and said , "O Lord of hosts , if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant , but will give Your maidservant a [2]son e , then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life , and a razor shall never come on his head ." 12 Now it came about, as she [3]continued praying before the Lord , that Eli was watching her mouth . 13 As for Hannah , she was speaking in her heart , only her lips were moving , but her voice was not heard . So Eli thought she was drunk . 14 Then Eli said to her, " How long e will you make yourself drunk ? Put away your wine from you." 15 But Hannah replied , "No , my lord , I am a woman [4]oppressed in spirit ; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink , but I have poured out my soul before the Lord . 16 "Do not [5]consider your maidservant as a worthless woman , for I have spoken until now out of my great concern and [6]provocation ." 17 Then Eli answered and said , " Go in peace ; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of Him." 18 She said , " Let your maidservant find favor in your sight ." So the woman went her way and ate , and her face was no longer sad.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 1:9-18
Commentary on 1 Samuel 1:9-18
(Read 1 Samuel 1:9-18)
Hannah mingled tears with her prayers; she considered the mercy of our God, who knows the troubled soul. God gives us leave, in prayer, not only to ask good things in general, but to mention that special good thing we most need and desire. She spoke softly, none could hear her. Hereby she testified her belief of God's knowledge of the heart and its desires. Eli was high priest, and judge in Israel. It ill becomes us to be rash and hasty in censures of others, and to think people guilty of bad things while the matter is doubtful and unproved. Hannah did not retort the charge, and upbraid Eli with the wicked conduct of his own sons. When we are at any time unjustly censured, we have need to set a double watch before the door of our lips, that we do not return censure for censure. Hannah thought it enough to clear herself, and so must we. Eli was willing to acknowledge his mistake. Hannah went away with satisfaction of mind. She had herself by prayer committed her case to God, and Eli had prayed for her. Prayer is heart's ease to a gracious soul. Prayer will smooth the countenance; it should do so. None will long remain miserable, who use aright the privilege of going to the mercy-seat of a reconciled God in Christ Jesus.