As Hannah kept on praying before the LORDHannah's persistent prayer reflects her deep faith and desperation. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, childlessness was often seen as a source of shame and a sign of divine disfavor. Her continuous prayer indicates her belief in God's power to change her situation. This persistence in prayer is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches about the importance of persistent prayer in
Luke 18:1-8. Hannah's prayer life is a model of faithfulness and trust in God's timing and sovereignty.
Eli watched her mouth
Eli, the high priest, observed Hannah's silent prayer, which was unusual for the time, as prayers were typically spoken aloud. This silent prayer can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament understanding of prayer as a personal and intimate communication with God, as seen inMatthew 6:6. Eli's role as a priest is significant, as he represents the religious authority of the time, yet his initial misunderstanding of Hannah's actions highlights the spiritual decline in Israel, which is a recurring theme in the book of 1 Samuel. Eli's observation also sets the stage for his later interaction with Hannah, where he blesses her, leading to the fulfillment of her prayer.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
HannahA devout woman of faith, deeply distressed due to her barrenness, who fervently prays to the LORD for a child.
2.
EliThe high priest at Shiloh, who observes Hannah as she prays silently and initially misunderstands her actions.
3.
ShilohThe religious center where the tabernacle was located during this period, and where Hannah goes to pray.
4.
The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, to whom Hannah directs her prayers, demonstrating her faith and reliance on Him.
5.
PrayerThe act of communicating with God, which is central to this passage as Hannah pours out her heart before the LORD.
Teaching Points
The Power of Persistent PrayerHannah's continuous prayer before the LORD demonstrates the importance of persistence in our prayer life. We should not be discouraged if answers are not immediate.
Misunderstandings in WorshipEli's initial misjudgment of Hannah's silent prayer reminds us that outward appearances can be deceiving. We should be careful not to judge others' expressions of faith.
Faith in God's TimingHannah's account teaches us to trust in God's perfect timing. Her patience and faith eventually lead to the birth of Samuel, a significant figure in Israel's history.
Pouring Out Our Hearts to GodLike Hannah, we are encouraged to bring our deepest desires and burdens to God, trusting that He hears and cares for us.
The Role of Spiritual LeadersEli's eventual blessing over Hannah's prayer highlights the role of spiritual leaders in supporting and encouraging the faith of others.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 1:12?
2.How does Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 1:12 demonstrate perseverance in faith?
3.What can we learn from Hannah's dedication to prayer in our own lives?
4.How does 1 Samuel 1:12 connect to Philippians 4:6 on prayer and supplication?
5.Why is persistent prayer important in developing a deeper relationship with God?
6.How can Hannah's example inspire us to trust God during challenging times?
7.Why was Hannah's prolonged prayer significant in 1 Samuel 1:12?
8.How does 1 Samuel 1:12 illustrate the power of persistent prayer?
9.What cultural context explains Eli's reaction to Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:12?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 1?
11.What were the key events in Samuel's life?
12.What are the key events in 1 Samuel?
13.1 Samuel 2:12-17 describes corrupt priests at Shiloh--do archaeological records confirm such a worship center and priesthood as depicted?
14.How can Hannah's sudden pregnancy in 1 Samuel 1:5, 20 be explained given her long-term infertility?What Does 1 Samuel 1:12 Mean
As Hannah kept on praying• Scripture shows Hannah’s prayer was persistent, not momentary. Verse 10 already said she was “deeply distressed” and “wept bitterly,” and now we find her still at it—she “kept on.” The scene echoes Jesus’ call to “always pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1) and Paul’s command to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
• Her perseverance springs from genuine faith. She is barren, yet she approaches the One who “opens and closes the womb” (Genesis 30:22). The Bible repeatedly commends such steadfast crying out—think of David inPsalm 55:17, “Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.”
• This tenacity underlines that God invites long, honest wrestling. Hannah’s example assures believers today that length or intensity of prayer never annoys the Lord; instead, He cherishes it (Psalm 62:8).
Before the LORD• Hannah’s praying is consciously placed “before the LORD,” reminding us she is not merely speaking into the air. She stands in the tabernacle at Shiloh, the appointed meeting place (Exodus 29:42-43). For a New-Covenant believer, this points us to the privilege of coming “boldly to the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16).
• The phrase underscores reverence. Hannah recognizes God’s holy presence, much like Isaiah who cried, “My eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts” (Isaiah 6:5). Her posture—likely kneeling or bowing—mirrorsPsalm 95:6, “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”
• By praying “before the LORD,” she is placing her entire situation under His sovereign gaze. The same awareness steadied Job: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job 13:15).
Eli watched her mouth• While Hannah pours out her heart to God, the high priest fixes his attention on her lips. Verse 13 clarifies, “Hannah was praying in her heart, and though her lips were moving, her voice was not heard.” Eli’s surveillance highlights a contrast: man looks outside; the LORD reads the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
• Eli’s observation prepares the narrative tension. His initial misjudgment (v.14) shows how even spiritual leaders can misunderstand sincere devotion. Yet God will soon vindicate Hannah, just as He later vindicates Mary of Bethany when others criticize her worship (John 12:4-7).
• This moment also affirms that silent, internal prayer is fully valid. Nehemiah prayed “in his heart” before answering the king (Nehemiah 2:4). God hears wordless groans (Romans 8:26-27).
summary1 Samuel 1:12 portrays persevering, reverent prayer offered directly in God’s presence while human eyes observe only externals. Hannah’s persistence encourages believers to keep praying; her setting “before the LORD” reminds us of holy access; and Eli’s scrutiny warns that people may misread genuine faith, but God never does. The verse invites every follower of Christ to approach the throne with unwavering, heartfelt prayer, confident that the Lord who sees in secret will respond in His perfect time.
Verses 12-18. -
She continued praying. Hannah's prayer was long and earnest, but in silence. She spake not in, but "to her heart," to herself. It was an inward supplication, which only her own heart and God heard. Eli watched, and was displeased. Possibly silent prayer was something unusual. It requires a certain advance in civilisation and refinement to enable a supplicant to separate the petition from the outward expression of it in spoken words, and a strong faith before any one can feel that God hears and knows the silent utterances of the heart (comp.
Matthew 8:8-10). Naturally men think that they shall be heard for their much speaking, and for speaking aloud. Unused then to such real prayer, Eli, as he marked the quivering lips, the prostrate form, the face flushed with earnestness, came to the coarse conclusion that she was drunken, and with equal coarseness bids her "put away her wine from her," that is, go and sleep off the effects of her debauch. Hannah answers indignantly, "No, my lord." She is "a woman hard of spirit;' (see marg.), heavy hearted, as we should say, and she had been lightening her heart by pouring out her troubles before Jehovah. She is no "worthless woman;" for Belial is not a proper name, though gradually it became one (
2 Corinthians 6:15), but means
worthlessness, and "a daughter of worthlessness" means a bad woman.
"Grief" is rather
provocation, vexation. Hannah cannot forget the triumph of her rival, exulting over her many portions, while for her there had been only one. Convinced by the modesty and earnestness of her answer, Eli retracts his accusation, gives her his blessing, and prays that her petition may be granted. And Hannah, comforted by such words spoken by the high priest (
John 11:51), returned to the sacrificial feast, which apparently was not yet finished, and joined in it, for "she did eat, and her countenance was to her no more," that is, the grieved and depressed look which she had so long borne had now departed from her. There is no reason for the insertion of the word
sad. HANNAH'S PRAYER ANSWERED (vers. 19, 20).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Asכִּ֣י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunction[Hannah] kept onהִרְבְּתָ֔ה(hir·bə·ṯāh)Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7235:To be or become much, many or greatprayingלְהִתְפַּלֵּ֖ל(lə·hiṯ·pal·lêl)Preposition-l | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6419:To judge, to intercede, praybeforeלִפְנֵ֣י(lip̄·nê)Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The facethe LORD,יְהוָ֑ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of IsraelEliוְעֵלִ֖י(wə·‘ê·lî)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5941:Eli -- a priest at Shilohwatchedשֹׁמֵ֥ר(šō·mêr)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8104:To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend toher mouth.פִּֽיהָ׃(pî·hā)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6310:The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to
Links
1 Samuel 1:12 NIV1 Samuel 1:12 NLT1 Samuel 1:12 ESV1 Samuel 1:12 NASB1 Samuel 1:12 KJV
1 Samuel 1:12 BibleApps.com1 Samuel 1:12 Biblia Paralela1 Samuel 1:12 Chinese Bible1 Samuel 1:12 French Bible1 Samuel 1:12 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Samuel 1:12 It happened as she continued praying before (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) 
