Hannah was accused by Eli, the high priest, of drunkenness. She was praying, yet he alleged she was drinking. Why did Eli accuse her of having too much wine?
Hannah was barren, her infertility caused her great sadness and grief. She was ashamed and I imagine wondered why God closed her womb. She had longed for a son and prayed without ceasing. Hannah promised that if He gave her a son, she would dedicate him to serving the Lord.
I chose the NKJV for verse 10 in 1 Samuel because of the weight of the words: “And she was in bitterness of soul and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish.”
Sadness, grief, sorrowful in spirit, is that ”in bitterness of soul?” “Weeping in anguish,” as if enduring physical pain. Is that why Eli accused her of making a drunken show of herself? I see Hannah in pain, rooted deep within her spirit, an outward expression of grief that showed she was deeply distressed.
1 Samuel 1: 15-16: “I am desperate, and I have been praying, pouring out my troubles to the Lord. I have been praying like this because I’m so miserable.”
Hannah told Eli that she is praying because of her grief; he then told her to go in peace and asked God to grant Hannah what she was asking for.
The very next morning, the Lord answered her prayer. 1 Samuel 1:20: “So it was that she became pregnant and gave birth to a son.” She names him Samuel and explains, “I asked the Lord for him.”
Hannah poured her heart out to the Lord. Her faith was displayed through persistent prayer and the vow to dedicate her son to His service.
The Lord heard her and answered. Hannah kept her promise and gave us Samuel.
– Kim Snyder
Christ Fellowship