Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 1:4
And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:
4. offered ] sacrificed, as in 1Sa 1:3. His sacrifice was a thank-offering, for it was only of the thank-offerings that the worshippers partook (Lev 7:11-18).
he gave ] The tenses in 1Sa 1:4-7 express repeated action: “he used to give: her adversary used to provoke her.”
portions ] Of the victims sacrificed. Cp. 1Sa 9:23.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 4. He gave – portions] The sacrifices which were made were probably peace-offerings, of which the blood was poured out at the foot of the altar; the fat was burnt on the fire; the breast and right shoulder were the portion of the priest, and the rest belonged to him who made the offering; on it he and his family feasted, each receiving his portion; and to these feasts God commands them to invite the Levite, the poor, the widow, and the orphan, De 16:11.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
To wit, out of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings, the greatest part whereof fell to the offerer, and was eaten by him and his friends or guests before the Lord, Le 3; Le 7; Deu 12:12; 16:11; and out of this he gave them all parts or portions, as the master of the feast used to do to guests.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4. when . . . Elkanah offered, hegave to Peninnah . . . portionsThe offerer received back thegreater part of the peace offerings, which he and his family orfriends were accustomed to eat at a social feast before the Lord.(See on Le 3:3; De12:12). It was out of these consecrated viands Elkanah gaveportions to all the members of his family; but “unto Hannah hegave a worthy portion”; that is, a larger choice, according tothe Eastern fashion of showing regard to beloved or distinguishedguests. (See on 1Sa 9:24; alsosee on Ge 43:34).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when the time was that Elkanah offered,…. That is, brought his offering to the priest, to offer it for him, which was at one of the three festivals. According to R. Joshua Ben Levi f, this was at the time of Pentecost; but Abarbinel thinks it was at the time of the ingathering of the fruits of the earth, which was a time of rejoicing, even the feast of tabernacles, and which is most likely:
he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions; parts of the offering, everyone a part, or portion; by which it appears, that this was a peace offering he offered, the greater part of which belonged to the owner, and which he made a feast of for his family and friends; see De 12:5. Jerom g interprets these portions of garments.
f Apud Kimchium in loc. g Trad. Heb. in lib. Reg. fol. 74. H.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
4. Portions Parts of the flesh of the victims offered in sacrifice to the Lord. See Lev 7:15; Deu 12:7; Deu 12:18. The law of the peace-offerings gave the breast and shoulder to the priest, and the fat to be burned, (Lev 7:31-32😉 but the rest was returned to him that offered it, and served for a feast of thanksgiving.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
(4) And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: (5) But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
It is not very easy to form a clear opinion what those portions were, which Elkanah gave to his family upon those occasions. Probably it was a custom in the families of Israel, when in their yearly visits to the tabernacle, to testify their fellowship and communion with one another in this way by gifts, when assembling to enjoy communion with God.
But be those portions what they might, Hannah’s was peculiarly marked, as being worthy, more distinguished, or better than the rest. Probably to testify that notwithstanding her barrenness, she was not the less lovely in her husband’s eyes. Sweet thought, suggested to the Reader in this scripture! Jesus loves his church under all her weaknesses and barrenness. His love is the result of his own free grace, not her merit. And oh! what a worthy portion doth he give to his poor, empty, unprofitable, and barren followers! Dearest Jesus! he thou my portion, for thou alone art worthy. In thee, my soul will possess all things!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Sa 1:4 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:
Ver. 4. And when the time was that Elkanah offered. ] He did not forbear to offer, because the priests were wicked and slubbering, as some weak ones did, 1Sa 2:17 abhorring God’s sacrifice for their sakes: wherein they are said to have transgressed, even to a cry.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
time = day. Punctuality thus emphasised.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
offered: Lev 3:4, Lev 7:15, Deu 12:5-7, Deu 12:17, Deu 16:11
Reciprocal: Gen 30:1 – Rachel envied Deu 21:15 – two wives Psa 11:6 – portion 1Co 7:33 – how
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 1:4. Portions Of those parts of the peace-offerings which belonged to the offerer. These were the whole, except the fat, which belonged to the Lord, and the breast and right shoulder, which were due to the priest, Lev 7:34; with the rest the sacrificer made a feast for himself, his family, and friends, giving to every one a portion of the sacrifice, as the master of the feast used to do to the guests. And they ate all before the Lord, and hereby were supposed to have communion with him, by partaking with him of his sacrifices, which had been offered to him at his altar.