Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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?

8. better to thee than ten sons ] Cp. Rth 4:15.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Verse 8. Am not I better to thee than ten sons?] TEN, a certain for an uncertain number. Is not my especial affection to thee better than all the comfort thou couldst gain, even from a numerous family?

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Oughtest thou not to value my hearty love to thee, more than the having of as many sons as Peninnah hath? She would willingly change conditions with thee.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou?…. Since it was a time of rejoicing, as every festival was, especially at the ingathering of the fruits of the earth:

and why eatest thou not? since they were at a feast, and she had the best part and portion of the provision:

and why is thy heart grieved? to such a degree that she could neither eat nor drink:

am not I better to thee than ten sons? which, as Jarchi says, Peninnah had borne to him; his meaning is, that the share she had in his love and affections ought to have been esteemed by her more than if she had ten or many children by him; and it suggests that Peninnah would have been glad to have such a share in his affections as Hannah had; and it would have been more eligible to her, than to have borne him so many children as she had.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Hannah’s Request, v. 8-18

Like people in all ages it took a while for Hannah to realize the place she must go to get the solution to her problem. At last she went to the Lord’s house and sought Him in prayer. The tabernacle is here called the temple, though the permanent structure so called was not erected for another century and more. From other passages, as well as this, it seems that the Israelites had already begun referring to their house of worship as a temple. This was where the Lord had ordained that the people of Israel should come to worship Him. Indeed it was enjoined on all males to come up yearly to the three major feasts of unleavened bread, firstfruits, and ingathering (Exo 23:13-19).

While Eli, the high priest, sat overseeing the sanctuary, Hannah came to pray. Out of her deep bitterness she prayed and wept. She made a vow to the Lord that if He would give her a baby boy, she would in turn dedicate the child as a lifelong Nazarite to His service. His head and face would never be shaved. (It is interesting that by all records Samuel lived faithfully a long life of dedication to his mother’s vow.)

Hannah prayed from her heart, but moved her lips as she prayed. The observant Eli, watching her, decided she was drunken, a commentary on the corruption of the times of his judgeship. When Hannah was accosted by Eli to put away her wine she protested that she was not one of the daughters of Belial. Evidently drinking and drunken women were not so unusual at the tabernacle. Eli’s immoral sons doubtless contributed to the condition.

It does not appear that Hannah told Eli the object of her prayer, but he was convinced of her sincerity. Therefore he gave her his blessing. Hannah’s request to find grace in the sight of the high priest is apparently her desire that he would add his prayers to hers in the matter. Hannah left Eli’s presence assured in her heart and confident that the Lord would grant her request. Therefore it must have been a great surprise to her family to have her return from the tabernacle happy, calm, and hungry. This is what the Lord’s people should expect when they leave their burdens with Him (Pro 3:3-5; 1Pe 5:7).

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

(8) Than ten sons.Merely a round number to express many. The simple narration evidently came from Hannah, who, no doubt, in after years loved to dwell on her past sorrowful life, contrasted with her present strange blessedness as mother of the Restorer of the people.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

8. Better than ten sons There is greater good in matrimonial concord than in mere fruitfulness. Grotius.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments