In her bitter distressHannah's distress is rooted in her barrenness, a significant source of shame and sorrow in ancient Israelite culture. Childlessness was often seen as a divine judgment or curse, adding to her emotional turmoil. Her distress is compounded by the taunting of Peninnah, her husband's other wife, who had children. This reflects the polygamous practices of the time, which often led to familial strife, as seen in other biblical accounts like Jacob, Leah, and Rachel.
Hannah prayed to the LORD
Hannah's response to her distress is to turn to prayer, demonstrating her faith and reliance on God. This act of prayer is significant, as it shows her belief in God's power to change her situation. The LORD, or Yahweh, is the covenant name of God, emphasizing a personal relationship. Her prayer is a model of earnest supplication, similar to other biblical figures who sought God's intervention, such as David in the Psalms.
and wept with many tears
Her weeping indicates the depth of her sorrow and the sincerity of her prayer. Tears in the Bible often accompany heartfelt prayer and repentance, as seen in the stories of Hezekiah and Peter. This emotional expression underscores the human experience of suffering and the biblical encouragement to bring such burdens before God. Hannah's tears also foreshadow the eventual joy and fulfillment she will experience, paralleling the biblical theme of mourning turning into joy.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
HannahA devout woman who is deeply distressed due to her inability to bear children. Her account is a testament to faith and perseverance in prayer.
2.
The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, to whom Hannah directs her heartfelt prayer, demonstrating her faith and reliance on Him.
3.
ShilohThe place where the tabernacle of the LORD was located during this time, and where Hannah went to pray.
4.
PeninnahHannah's rival, who provoked her because Peninnah had children while Hannah did not.
5.
ElkanahHannah's husband, who loved her dearly despite her barrenness and tried to comfort her.
Teaching Points
The Power of Persistent PrayerHannah's account teaches us the importance of persistent and heartfelt prayer. Despite her distress, she continually sought the LORD, demonstrating unwavering faith.
God's Compassion for the BrokenheartedHannah's tears and anguish remind us that God is compassionate and attentive to the cries of the brokenhearted. He invites us to bring our deepest sorrows to Him.
Faith in the Midst of TrialsHannah's faith did not waver despite her prolonged trial. Her example encourages us to trust in God's timing and sovereignty, even when answers are delayed.
The Role of Emotional Honesty in PrayerHannah's prayer was marked by emotional honesty. We are encouraged to be genuine in our prayers, expressing our true feelings and desires to God.
The Impact of a Godly ExampleHannah's account has inspired countless believers to trust in God's faithfulness. Our own faith and perseverance can serve as a powerful testimony to others.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 1:10?
2.How does Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 1:10 demonstrate deep faith and trust?
3.What can we learn from Hannah's emotional honesty before God in her distress?
4.How does Hannah's vow in 1 Samuel 1:10 connect to biblical themes of dedication?
5.In what ways can we emulate Hannah's fervent prayer life in our own?
6.How does Hannah's example encourage us to bring our deepest struggles to God?
7.What does Hannah's deep anguish in 1 Samuel 1:10 reveal about human suffering and faith?
8.How does Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 1:10 challenge our understanding of prayer's power?
9.Why is Hannah's emotional state significant in the context of 1 Samuel 1:10?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 1?
11.What guidance does the Bible offer Christian mothers?
12.Psalm 142:2 portrays a direct plea to God—how does this align with the skeptic’s view that supernatural intervention lacks scientific proof?
13.What is the summary of Hannah's prayer story?
14.Why does mathematical modeling of prayer show no measurable effect?What Does 1 Samuel 1:10 Mean
Hannah’s bitter distress• The verse begins, “In her bitter distress,” reminding us that Hannah’s pain was real, deep, and overwhelming. Scripture records that she was barren (1 Samuel 1:2), mocked by Peninnah (1 Samuel 1:6), and misunderstood by her husband (1 Samuel 1:8).
• God’s Word never minimizes sorrow.Psalm 34:18 affirms, “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
• Personal anguish does not negate faith; it often exposes it. Job poured out grief (Job 3:20–26), yet the narrative calls him blameless (Job 1:1).
• Believers today may face seasons of bitterness—unanswered prayers, family conflict, health fears—but the Bible consistently presents such valleys as opportunities to meet the Lord more intimately (Psalm 23:4).
Hannah prayed to the LORD• “Hannah prayed to the LORD”—she ran toward God, not away from Him.Psalm 62:8 urges, “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him.”
• Her prayer shows that grief can coexist with worship.Philippians 4:6 commands, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
• She addressed “the LORD,” using His covenant name (1 Samuel 1:11), anchoring her plea in the character of the God who keeps promises (Deuteronomy 7:9).
• Persistent, personal, honest prayer remains the believer’s lifeline. Jesus highlighted this inLuke 18:1—“They should always pray and not give up.”
Hannah wept with many tears• The Holy Spirit records that she “wept with many tears.” God values tears;Psalm 56:8 says, “You have collected all my tears in Your bottle.”
• Tears are not weakness but surrender. Even the Lord Jesus “wept” at Lazarus’s tomb (John 11:35).
• Her tears preceded a breakthrough of faith and later, rejoicing (1 Samuel 2:1–10).Psalm 126:5 echoes, “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.”
• Ultimately, God promises a future without tears—Revelation 21:4 foresees the day when “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Until then, tears can be holy offerings.
summaryHannah’s story shows that bitter distress is a reality in a fallen world, but Scripture calls believers to carry that hurt straight to the covenant-keeping God. Honest prayer—captured in words and tears—invites divine comfort and sets the stage for God’s timely answer. Like Hannah, we can trust that the Lord hears, cares, and will turn present sorrow into future praise.
Verses 10, 11. -
She... prayed unto the LORD. Kneeling down in the inner court, but within sight of Eli, whose throne in the porch probably overlooked the whole inner space, Hannah prays unto "Jehovah of Sabaoth" for a male child. Her humility appears in her thrice calling herself Jehovah's handmaid; her earnestness in the threefold repetition of the entreaty that Jehovah would look on her, and remember her, and not forget her. With her prayer she also makes a twofold vow in case her request is granted. The son given her is, first, to serve not for a stipulated number of years, as was the law with the Levites (
Numbers 4:3), but for life; and, secondly, he is to be a Nazarite. We gather from
Numbers 6:2 that Moses found this singular institution in existence, and only regulated it, and admitted it into the circle of established and legalised ordinances. Essentially it was a consecration to God, a holy priesthood, but not a sacrificing priesthood nor one by right of birth, as the Aaronic, but personal, and either for a limited period, or for life. During the continuance of the vow, a Nazarite might
(1) partake of no produce of the vine, signifying thereby abstinence from self-indulgence and carnal pleasure. He might
(2) take no part in mourning for the dead, even though they were his nearest relatives, because his holier duties raised him above the ordinary joys and sorrows, the cares and occupations of every day life. Lastly, no razor might come upon his head, the free growing hair being at once the distinctive mark by which all men would recognise his sacred calling, and also a sign that he was not bound by the usual customs of life. By Hannah's first vow Samuel was devoted to service in the sanctuary, by the second to a holy consecrated life. This institution remained in existence unto our Lord's days; for John the Baptist was also consecrated to God as a Nazarite by his mother, though not as Samuel, also given to minister in the temple.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
In her bitter distress,מָ֣רַת(mā·raṯ)Adjective - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4751:Bitter, bitterness, bitterlyHannah prayedוַתִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל(wat·tiṯ·pal·lêl)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6419:To judge, to intercede, praytoעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstthe LORDיְהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israeland weptוּבָכֹ֥ה(ū·ḇā·ḵōh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 1058:To weep, to bemoanwith many tears.תִבְכֶּֽה׃(ṯiḇ·keh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1058:To weep, to bemoan
Links
1 Samuel 1:10 NIV1 Samuel 1:10 NLT1 Samuel 1:10 ESV1 Samuel 1:10 NASB1 Samuel 1:10 KJV
1 Samuel 1:10 BibleApps.com1 Samuel 1:10 Biblia Paralela1 Samuel 1:10 Chinese Bible1 Samuel 1:10 French Bible1 Samuel 1:10 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Samuel 1:10 She was in bitterness of soul and (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) 
