1 Samuel 1
The Birth of Samuel
First Samuel begins by contrasting Israel’s last two judges (Eli: a failure; and Samuel: a success) and then Israel’s first two kings (Saul: a failure; and David: a success). The first major section of Samuel sharply contrasts obedience and disobedience to the will of God as God expressed for Israel in the Mosaic Covenant. The events in this section took place during Eli’s 40-year judgeship
In the first subsection (1:1 - 2:10), we have the joyful story of Samuel’s miraculous birth and his mother’s gratitude to God for reversing her barrenness and making her fertile. The significance of this story is not only that it gives us the record of how Samuel was born and that his mother was a godly woman. It also shows God’s faithfulness to His promise to bless those who put Him first. - Thomas Constable
Hannah Was Childless
Polygamy
Vs. 2 - He had two wives
Polygamy was a fact of life in the ancient world. However, the Bible never puts polygamy in a favorable light. Strife and conflict always characterize polygamous families in the Bible. - David Guzik
When reading any narrative section of the scripture, it’s important to remember that just because something is being described does not mean that it is being prescribed.
Sovereignty
Vs. 5 - the Lord had kept her from conceiving
In the view of the author, that Hannah could not conceive was an act of God. He confidently declares His worldview here that nothing happens in the lives of men that is not allowed or authorized by God. Throughout the books of Samuel, the careful reader will see that God is always working behind the scenes, accomplishing His will in His way, in His time, and through His people. Even as they often fail to fully understand it, they are called to trust His wisdom and His ways.
Culture
Vs. 8 - Why are you troubled?
Why was Hannah so troubled that she didn’t have a child?
Most women seem to possess an innate need to nurture, a strong desire for biological offspring.
In this culture, much of a woman’s value was wrapped up in her ability to conceive and to continue the family name.
Barrenness was often viewed as judgment from God for unconfessed sin.
Could Hannah have also desired to give something/someone to God? Could one of her motives simply have been a desire for an offering?
Vs. 8 - Am I not better to you than ten sons?
The double-edged poignancy of these words is that they at once express Elkanah's deep and solicitous love for Hannah and his inability to understand how inconsolable she feels about her affliction of barrenness. All the annunciation stories must be understood in light of the prevalent ancient Near Eastern view that a woman's one great avenue to fulfillment in life was through the bearing of sons. It is noteworthy that Hannah does not respond to Elkanah. When she does at last speak, it is to God. - Robert Alter
Hannah Prayed to The Lord
Vow of Dedication
Vs. 10-11 - Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept with many tears. Making a vow, she pleaded, “Lord of Armies, if you will take notice of your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give your servant a son, I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut.”
Hannah promised her son to the work of the LORD, vowing he would be a Nazirite from birth (I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head). According to Numbers 6, the vow of a Nazirite included the following:
Abstinence from any product from a grape vine, signifying distance from all fleshly pleasures.
Taking no part in any mourning for the dead, nor coming near a dead body, because the dead show the corruption and the fruit of sin. Also, this showed that the Nazirite had greater concerns than the ordinary joys and sorrows of life.
Never cutting the hair because it was a public, visible sign to others of the vow.
Typically, the vow of a Nazirite was taken for a set and rather short period of time. Samuel and Samson (Judges 13:5) were unique because they were Nazirites from birth. - David Guzik
Prayer of Anguish
Vs. 16 - I’ve been praying from the depth of my anguish and resentment.
Hannah used specific and honest language to describe her emotions to Eli. She was not inebriated; she was angry and bitter. And it was from that place of genuine frustration and confusion that she prayed.
Hannah Conceived
Vs. 19 - the Lord remembered her
The phrase “the Lord remembered” is a common one in the OT. But it does not mean that God ever forgot Hannah or His plan. When the Bible says that God "remembers" something or someone, it means He turned His attention to someone and acted upon their behalf. That is why the psalmist in Psalm 106:4 calls out, "Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people; help me when you save them." The cry is not that God has forgotten that the psalmist exists, rather it is a cry for God to turn His attention toward the psalmist and rescue him from his situation. - Compellingtruth.org
It’s interesting that the author says that God both closed Hannah’s womb and answered Hannah’s prayer. In His mysterious sovereignty, He accomplishes His will through His people.
Hannah Gave Samuel to The Lord
Vs. 28 - I now give the boy to the Lord. For as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.
Because of God’s generosity to her, Hannah did not forget her promise to Him. She did not fail to give back to God what He had given to her.
This beautiful story of a faithful mother in Israel whom God honored by giving her a son is the crown jewel in the argument of the book. Yahweh looks for faithful, godly men and women whom He can set over His people. - Homer Heater Jr., "A Theology of Samuel and Kings,"
