1 Samuel 1:9 Meaning and Explanation
“So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →After the meal at Shiloh, Hannah gets up while Eli the priest sits by the doorpost of the Lord's house.
What Does 1 Samuel 1:9 Mean?
When the meal is over, Hannah rises and goes to bring her burden to God. The narrator pauses to position Eli, the aged priest, seated by a post of the temple, where he will witness what follows. Two figures are now set side by side: a grieving woman moving toward prayer, and a priest watching nearby.
Hannah's rising is quiet but decisive. She will not stay frozen in her sorrow or let it have the last word; she carries it straight to the house of the Lord. The detail of Eli at the doorpost reminds us that God often places His servants where they can witness His work, even when, as we will see, they do not yet understand it. Hannah is about to teach the priest himself what real prayer looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 1:9
What does 1 Samuel 1:9 mean?
After the meal at Shiloh, Hannah gets up while Eli the priest sits by the doorpost of the Lord's house.