Because the LORD had closed Hannah's womb, her rival would provoke her and taunt her viciously. Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s wombThis phrase highlights the sovereignty of God in the lives of His people. The Hebrew word for "closed" is "סָגַר" (sagar), which means to shut or close. In the ancient Near Eastern context, fertility was often seen as a direct blessing from God, and barrenness was viewed as a divine withholding. This phrase underscores the belief that God is in control of all aspects of life, including fertility. It also sets the stage for understanding Hannah's deep anguish and her fervent prayers to God, as she recognizes that only He can change her situation. her rival
The term "rival" refers to Peninnah, Elkanah's other wife. In the Hebrew culture, polygamy was practiced, and it often led to familial strife and jealousy. The word used here is "צָרָה" (tsarah), which can mean adversary or co-wife. This highlights the tension and competition that existed between Hannah and Peninnah, a common issue in polygamous households where one wife was favored over another. would provoke her
The Hebrew word for "provoke" is "כָּעַס" (kaas), which means to irritate or vex. This indicates that Peninnah's actions were intentional and aimed at causing emotional distress to Hannah. The provoking was not just a one-time event but a continual action, suggesting a persistent and deliberate attempt to upset Hannah. and taunt her viciously
The phrase "taunt her viciously" conveys the intensity and cruelty of Peninnah's actions. The Hebrew root "רָעַם" (raam) implies a loud, thunderous noise, suggesting that Peninnah's taunts were not only hurtful but also public and humiliating. This public shaming would have added to Hannah's distress, as her barrenness was already a source of personal shame and societal stigma. Persons / Places / Events 1. HannahA devout woman who was deeply loved by her husband Elkanah but was barren. Her account is central to the opening chapters of 1 Samuel. 2. PeninnahElkanah's other wife, who had children. She is described as Hannah's rival and often provoked Hannah due to her barrenness. 3. ElkanahThe husband of both Hannah and Peninnah. He is portrayed as a caring husband, especially towards Hannah. 4. ShilohThe religious center where the tabernacle was located during this period. It is where Elkanah and his family went to worship and sacrifice to the LORD. 5. The LORDThe sovereign God of Israel, who, according to the text, had closed Hannah's womb, setting the stage for the events that follow. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in Our CircumstancesRecognize that God is in control, even in difficult situations. Hannah's barrenness was not outside of God's plan, and He used it for a greater purpose. Responding to Provocation with FaithHannah's response to Peninnah's taunts was not retaliation but turning to God in prayer. This teaches us to handle adversity with faith and prayer. The Power of Persistent PrayerHannah's account encourages believers to persist in prayer, trusting that God hears and will respond in His timing. Understanding God's TimingGod's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed. Hannah's eventual blessing of a child came at the right time for God's purposes. Dealing with Rivalry and JealousyThe account highlights the destructive nature of rivalry and jealousy, urging believers to seek peace and understanding in relationships. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of Hannah and Peninnah challenge us to trust in God's sovereignty over our personal struggles? 2. In what ways can we apply Hannah's response to provocation in our own lives when faced with similar situations? 3. How does the theme of barrenness and God's intervention in 1 Samuel 1:6 connect with other biblical accounts of barren women? 4. What can we learn from Hannah's persistence in prayer, and how can this be applied to our prayer life today? 5. How does understanding God's timing in Hannah's account help us to be patient and trustful in our own life circumstances? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 30The account of Rachel and Leah, where Rachel's barrenness and Leah's fertility create a similar dynamic of rivalry and provocation. Psalm 113:9This verse speaks of God granting the barren woman a home, making her a joyful mother of children, highlighting God's power to change circumstances. Luke 1:5-25The account of Elizabeth, who was also barren until God intervened, drawing a parallel to Hannah's account. People Eli, Elihu, Elkanah, Ephah, Hannah, Hophni, Jeroham, Peninnah, Phinehas, Samuel, Tohu, ZuphPlaces Ramah, Ramathaim-zophim, ShilohTopics Adversary, Adversity, Barren, Bitterly, Closed, Fret, Greatly, However, Irritate, Kept, Order, Possible, Provoke, Provoked, Provoking, Rival, Shut, Sore, Sorely, Tremble, Unhappy, Vexed, Wife, WombDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 1:6 5296 disabilities
5663 childbirth
5836 disgrace 1 Samuel 1:1-8 5717 monogamy 1 Samuel 1:1-20 5225 barrenness
5733 pregnancy 1 Samuel 1:2-7 1651 numbers, 1-2 1 Samuel 1:3-8 4476 meals
5702 husband 1 Samuel 1:4-6 5882 impartiality 1 Samuel 1:4-7 5732 polygamy 1 Samuel 1:4-8 5567 suffering, emotional 1 Samuel 1:5-6 5199 womb
8753 favouritism 1 Samuel 1:6-7 5824 cruelty, examples
5937 rivalry
8787 opposition, to God 1 Samuel 1:6-16 5559 stress 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 PrayerPrayer 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
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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 Links 1 Samuel 1:6 NIV1 Samuel 1:6 NLT1 Samuel 1:6 ESV1 Samuel 1:6 NASB1 Samuel 1:6 KJV
1 Samuel 1:6 Commentaries
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