1 Samuel 1:5 Meaning and Explanation
“But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Elkanah gives Hannah a special portion because he loves her, though the Lord had kept her from bearing children.
What Does 1 Samuel 1:5 Mean?
Elkanah singles Hannah out with a generous portion, showing his deep affection for her despite her childlessness. His love is real and tender. Yet alongside that love stands a hard reality the text names directly: the LORD had shut up her womb. Hannah is cherished by her husband and still carries an unanswered sorrow.
The verse holds two truths together without flinching. A person can be loved and still ache; God's hand can be in a delay we do not understand. Scripture does not explain why the Lord withholds for a season, but it never lets us think He is absent or indifferent. The waiting that feels like closure here is, in God's timing, the doorway to a child who will bless all Israel. His delays are not His denials.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 1:5
What does 1 Samuel 1:5 mean?
Elkanah gives Hannah a special portion because he loves her, though the Lord had kept her from bearing children.