Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 1:17
Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant [thee] thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
1Sa 1:17
Thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
Specific objects in prayer
To make prayer of any value there should be definite objects for which to plead. We often ramble in our prayers, we chatter about many subjects, but the soul does not concentrate itself upon any object. Imagine an archer shooting with his bow and not knowing where the mark is! Would he be likely to have success? Conceive a ship, on a voyage of discovery, putting to sea without the captain having any idea of what he was looking for! Would you expect that he would come back laden either with the discoveries of science or with treasures of gold? In everything else you have a plan. You do not go to work without knowing that there is something that you designed to make. How is it that you go to God without knowing what blessing you designed to have? (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 17. Grant thee thy petition] He was satisfied he had formed a wrong judgment, and by it had added to the distress of one already sufficiently distressed.
The fact that Eli supposed her to be drunken, and the other of the conduct of Eli’s sons already mentioned, prove that religion was at this time at a very low ebb in Shiloh; for it seems drunken women did come to the place, and lewd women were to be found there.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Go in peace; I recall my censure, and give thee my blessing, and wish thee peace, i.e. a quiet and composed mind, free from whatsoever it is that grieves and oppresses thee; and withal, good success and prosperity in what thou desirest; for peace is a very comprehensive word among the Hebrews.
Grant, or will grant; for it may be either a prayer or a prediction, which he might deliver, either from the consideration of Gods known goodness and readiness to hear prayers; or he might be directed to say so by a special instinct of Gods Spirit, which sometimes was given to the high priests, even when they were wicked, as Joh 11:51, and much more when they were holy men, as Eli was. And some add, that he was a prophet.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Then Eli answered and said, go in peace,…. He found he was mistaken in her, and that her discourse was not only sober and rational, but religious and spiritual; and therefore dismisses her in peace, and bids her not distress herself with what he had said to her, nor with anything she had met with from others, or from the Lord; but expect peace and prosperity, and particularly success in what she had been engaged, and had been solicitous for:
and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him; which may be considered either as a prayer for her, he joining with her in a request to the Lord, that what she had asked might be granted; or as a prophecy that so it would be, it being revealed to him by the Holy Ghost, as the high priest of the Lord; or impressed by an impulse upon his spirit that the favour asked would be given; and therefore she might go home in peace, and with satisfaction of mind.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Eli then replied: “ Go in peace, and the God of Israel give (grant) thy request ( for ), which thou hast asked of Him.” This word of the high priest was not a prediction, but a pious wish, which God in His grace most gloriously fulfilled.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(17) The God of Israel grant thee thy petition.The character of Eli is a deeply interesting one. Weak and over-indulgent to his headstrong, wicked sons, probably too self-indulgent, and a lover of ease, yet in the brief record we possess we catch eight of not a few noble thoughts and wishes: flashes of true nobility, real generosity and self-forgetfulness, of intense, devoted patriotism, light up a life which closed in failure and disaster. Here the old man is quick to see that he had been insulting a blameless woman, so at once he retracts his cruel accusation, and silently accuses himself of precipitancy and injustice in his graceful, courteous words of farewell; adding too his fatherly wish, he almost promises that what she wished so ardently should be hers.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
17. The God of Israel grant thee thy petition He knows not what that petition is, (compare 1Sa 1:27,) but he is fully convinced of her earnestness and depth of grief, and he gives her his priestly benediction.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Sa 1:17. Eli answered and said, Go in peace Satisfied by her modest and respectful answer, Eli dismisses her with a blessing; which appears to have given Hannah so much gratification, that she departed in perfect complacence, nothing doubting of the completion of her petition, which the high-priest had condescended himself to enforce. The Chaldee renders it, go in peace; and the God of Israel will grant thee, &c.
REFLECTIONS.1. Hannah took the first opportunity of retiring, to pour out her complaints into the bosom of a compassionate God. She felt a bitterness which only he could remove, and mingled her tears with her prayers in the fervour of her devotion. Note; (1.) No relief like prayer for an afflicted soul. (2.) The tears we shed upon our knees are those flittings that God puts in his bottle, and which this Father of Mercies will wipe away by an answer of peace to the burdened soul.
2. Eli observing her move her lips, but not hearing her voice, (for her prayer was mental, and the Lord, who saw her heart, read her importunate desires,) hastily concludes her drunken, and gives her a sharp rebuke for her supposed impiety. Note; (1.) Hasty suspicions and rash censures are very sinful. (2.) The prayer of the heart is that which God chiefly regards, and without words he can read our desires.
3. Hannah’s answer is as respectful and humble, as Eli’s charge was hasty and censorious. Far from being provoked at an accusation so contrary to the truth, she with reverence addresses him, My Lord, and meekly explains the true cause of her behaviour. She begs him not to have so ill an opinion of her, as to think her such a daughter of Belial. It was not wine, but the bitterness of her affliction, that made her appear discomposed and disordered. Her cry was internal to the God of mercy, and her lips moved not in folly, but in prayer. Note; (1.) Every drunkard is a child of Belial; but a drunken woman is doubly infamous. (2.) When unjustly censured, let us never return railing for railing. (3.) We do well to explain the motives of our conduct; and to remove those prejudices of our brethren which may be entertained against us, however unjustly.
4. Eli readily receives her plea, rejoices in her vindication, is sorry for his own rashness, and makes her amends by the benediction he bestows, and his earnestly seconding her prayers by his supplication to God in her behalf for an answer of peace. Note; (1.) We should be pleased to find ourselves mistaken in our misapprehension of our brethren, and endeavour to repair the error immediately. (2.) A good man’s benediction and prayers are valuable blessings.
5. Hannah, having now cast her care upon God, puts off her sorrow, and regains a peaceful mind, departing in faith that the Lord had heard, and would answer the voice of her humble petitions. Note; The prayer of faith can cheer the sinking heart, and smooth the discomposed countenance of the afflicted.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
(17) Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
Observe, how her meek answer wrought upon the mind of Eli. A soft answer turneth away wrath. But in all this, as in every other instance, how doth the matchless example of Him, who when he was reviled, reviled not again, meet our observation in every direction. 1Pe 2:23 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Sa 1:17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant [thee] thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
Ver. 17. Go in peace. ] Take no further anxious care about this business; but cast thy burden, or thy request, upon the Lord, who will surely grant it. And thou shalt be sure of my prayers to that purpose. This was a good amends for his former uncharitableness.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Go: 1Sa 25:35, 1Sa 29:7, Jdg 18:6, 2Ki 5:19, Mar 5:34, Luk 7:50, Luk 8:48
the God: 1Ch 4:10, Psa 20:3-5
Reciprocal: Exo 4:18 – Go in peace Jos 14:13 – blessed 1Sa 20:42 – Go in peace 1Ki 8:26 – And now Act 16:36 – and go
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 1:17-18. Eli said, Go in peace, &c. Her modest and respectful answer fully satisfied him, and he prayed that God would grant her petition, or, as the Chaldee interprets his words, assured her, that the God of Israel would grant it her. Let thy handmaid find grace in thy sight
That favourable opinion and gracious prayer which thou hast expressed on my behalf, be pleased to continue toward me. Her countenance was no more sad Her heart being cheered by the priests comfortable words, and especially by the Spirit of God applying them to her mind, and inspiring her with confidence, that both his and her prayers would be heard, she departed from the tabernacle with such satisfaction and assurance, that there no longer remained any token of sorrow or grief in her countenance.