1 Samuel 1:9
So after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD.
So after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh,

Elkanah’s family had completed the sacrificial meal connected with their annual worship at Shiloh, where the tabernacle and ark were kept. The gathering combined sacrifice, worship, and fellowship before the LORD.

Jdg 21:19 “But look,” they said, “there is a yearly feast”…
Jos 18:1 Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh.…
Deu 12:7 There, in the presence of the LORD your God,…

Hannah stood up.

Burdened by her barrenness and Peninnah’s provocation, Hannah left the meal and turned to the LORD in earnest prayer. Her action marks a decisive movement from sorrow to personal petition.

Gen 24:54 Then he and the men with him ate and drank…
Mrk 11:25 And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything…
Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, …

Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair

Eli served as Israel’s high priest and oversaw worship at Shiloh. From his place near the sanctuary entrance, he observed those who came to pray.

1Sa 4:13 When he arrived, there was Eli, sitting on his chair…
1Sa 4:18 As soon as the ark of God was mentioned, Eli fell backward…
Exo 18:13 The next day Moses took his seat to judge the people…

by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD.

The temple was the tabernacle sanctuary at Shiloh, not the later permanent temple in Jerusalem. Hannah prayed near the entrance to the place set apart for the LORD’s presence.

1Ki 6:31-33 For the entrance to the inner sanctuary,…
Ezk 41:21 The outer sanctuary had a rectangular doorframe…
1Sa 3:15 Samuel lay down until the morning; then he opened the doors…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hannah
A devout woman who is deeply distressed due to her barrenness. She is one of the two wives of Elkanah and is known for her fervent prayer and vow to God.

2. Eli
The high priest of Shiloh, who is sitting by the doorpost of the temple. He plays a significant role in the account as he initially misunderstands Hannah's prayer but later blesses her.

3. Shiloh
The religious center of Israel at the time, where the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant were located. It is the setting for Hannah's prayer and vow.

4. Temple of the LORD
Refers to the tabernacle at Shiloh, which served as the central place of worship before the construction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem.

5. Elkanah
Hannah's husband, who loves her dearly despite her inability to bear children. He is a Levite and makes annual pilgrimages to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice.
Teaching Points
The Power of Persistent Prayer
Hannah's account teaches us the importance of persistent and heartfelt prayer. Despite her distress, she continues to seek God earnestly.

God's Timing and Sovereignty
Hannah's eventual blessing of a child reminds us that God's timing is perfect, and His plans are sovereign over our lives.

Faith in Action
Hannah's vow to dedicate her son to the Lord demonstrates her faith and willingness to act on her promises to God.

The Role of Spiritual Leadership
Eli's initial misunderstanding of Hannah's prayer shows the importance of discernment and compassion in spiritual leadership.

Finding Peace in God's Presence
Hannah's peace after praying, despite her circumstances, illustrates the peace that comes from laying our burdens before God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Hannah's response to her distress in 1 Samuel 1:9 inspire you to approach your own challenges in prayer?

2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in Hannah's account, and how can this encourage us in our own lives?

3. How does Hannah's vow to God reflect her faith, and what can we learn about making commitments to God in our own spiritual journey?

4. What lessons can we learn from Eli's interaction with Hannah about the role of spiritual leaders in understanding and supporting those in distress?

5. How can the peace that Hannah experiences after her prayer serve as a model for us when we bring our concerns to God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 30
The account of Rachel, who, like Hannah, experienced barrenness and prayed earnestly to God for a child. This connection highlights the theme of God hearing the prayers of the barren.

Philippians 4:6-7
Encourages believers to present their requests to God through prayer and supplication, similar to Hannah's approach in her distress.

James 5:16
Emphasizes the power of fervent prayer, which is exemplified by Hannah's heartfelt petition to God.
The Temple of the LordB. Dale 1 Samuel 1:9
The Lord of HostsB. Dale 1 Samuel 1:3, 11
Effectual PrayerB. Dale 1 Samuel 1:9-13
People
Eli, Elihu, Elkanah, Ephah, Hannah, Hophni, Jeroham, Peninnah, Phinehas, Samuel, Tohu, Zuph
Places
Ramah, Ramathaim-zophim, Shiloh
Topics
Beside, Chair, Doorpost, Door-post, Doorway, Drank, Drinking, Drunk, Eaten, Eating, Eli, Got, Guest, Hannah, Lord's, Pillars, Post, Priest, Riseth, Room, Rose, Sat, Seat, Seated, Shiloh, Side-post, Sitting, Stood, Temple, Throne, Wine
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Samuel 1:9

     7377   high priest, OT

1 Samuel 1:1-20

     5225   barrenness
     5733   pregnancy

1 Samuel 1:6-16

     5559   stress

1 Samuel 1:9-18

     8830   suspicion

1 Samuel 1:9-20

     5744   wife

1 Samuel 1:9-28

     5745   women

Library
Of Self-Annihilation
Of Self-Annihilation Supplication and sacrifice are comprehended in prayer, which, according to S. John, is "an incense, the smoke whereof ascendeth unto God;" therefore it is said in the Apocalypse that "unto the Angel was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all Saints'' (Chap. viii. 3). Prayer is the effusion of the heart in the Presence of God: "I have poured out my soul before God" saith the mother of Samuel. (1 Sam. i. 15) The prayer of the wise men at the feet of
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer

Prayer and Sacrifice Explained by the Similitude of a Perfume --Our Annihilation in this Sacrifice --Solidity and Fruitfulness of this Prayer as Set Forth in The
Prayer ought to be both petition and sacrifice. Prayer, according to the testimony of St John, is an incense, whose perfume rises to God. Therefore it is said in the Revelation (chap. viii. 3), that an angel held a censer, which contained the incense of the prayers of saints. Prayer is an outpouring of the heart in the presence of God. "I have poured out my soul before the Lord," said the mother of Samuel (1 Sam. i. 15). Thus the prayers of the Magi at the feet of the infant Jesus in the stable of
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents

Home Dedication.
"The rose was rich in bloom on Sharon's plain, When a young mother with her first born thence Went up to Zion, for the boy was vowed Unto the Temple-service; by the hand She led him, and her silent soul, the while, Oft as the dewy laughter of his eye Met her sweet serious glance, rejoiced to think That aught so pure, so beautiful, was hers, To bring before her God!" Beautiful thought, and thrice beautiful deed,--fresh from the pure fount of maternal piety! The Hebrew mother consecrating her first-born
Samuel Philips—The Christian Home

John Newton 1Sam 1:10,18

John Newton—Olney Hymns

Hwochow Women's Bible Training School
COURSE OF STUDY FIRST TERM Book of Genesis. Gospel according to St. Luke or St. Mark. Acts of the Apostles, chapters i. to ix. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible." Reading Lessons, with necessary Explanation and Writing of Chinese Character. Arithmetic. Singing and Memorisation of Hymns. SECOND TERM Book of Exodus, Numbers, and 1 Samuel i. to xvi. The Gospel according to St. John. The Epistle of St James. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible"--(continued). Reading
A. Mildred Cable—The Fulfilment of a Dream of Pastor Hsi's

The Love of the Holy Spirit in Us.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not."--Matt. xxvii. 37. The Scripture teaches not only that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and with Him Love, but also that He sheds abroad that Love in our hearts. This shedding abroad does not refer to the coming of the Holy Spirit's Person, for a person can not be shed abroad. He comes, takes possession, and dwells in us; but that which is shed abroad
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided
THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: I and II Samuel. I and II Kings. I and II Chronicles. NOTE.--As these three pairs of books are so closely related in their historical contents, it is deemed best to study them together, though they overlap the two divisions of IV and V. I. CHARTS Chart A. General Contents +--+ " I AND II SAMUEL " +-------------+-----+------+ "Samuel "Saul "David " +-------------+-----+------+----------+ " " " " I AND II KINGS "NOTE.--Biblical
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible

Divers Matters.
I. Beth-cerem, Nehemiah 3:14. "The stones, as well of the altar, as of the ascent to the altar, were from the valley of Beth-cerem, which they digged out beneath the barren land. And thence they are wont to bring whole stones, upon which the working iron came not." The fathers of the traditions, treating concerning the blood of women's terms, reckon up five colours of it; among which that, "which is like the water of the earth, out of the valley of Beth-cerem."--Where the Gloss writes thus, "Beth-cerem
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and that within sight of Jerusalem, as it seems, Judges 19:13; where it is named with Gibeah:--and elsewhere, Hosea 5:8; which towns were not much distant. See 1 Samuel 22:6; "Saul sat in Gibeah, under a grove in Ramah." Here the Gemarists trifle: "Whence is it (say they) that Ramah is placed near Gibea? To hint to you, that the speech of Samuel of Ramah was the cause, why Saul remained two years and a half in Gibeah." They blindly
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The King --Continued.
The years thus well begun are, in the historical books, characterized mainly by three events, namely, the bringing up of the ark to the newly won city of David, Nathan's prophecy of the perpetual dominion of his house, and his victories over the surrounding nations. These three hinges of the narrative are all abundantly illustrated in the psalms. As to the first, we have relics of the joyful ceremonial connected with it in two psalms, the fifteenth and twenty-fourth, which are singularly alike not
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

Nature of Covenanting.
A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation,
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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