1 Samuel 1:8
1 Samuel 1:8 in Multiple Translations
“Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband Elkanah asked. “Why won’t you eat? Why is your heart so grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”
Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
Then her husband Elkanah said to her, Hannah, why are you weeping? and why are you taking no food? why is your heart troubled? am I not more to you than ten sons?
“Hannah, what are you crying for?” her husband Elkanah would ask. “Why don't you eat? Why are you so upset? Aren't I better to you than ten sons?”
Then sayd Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thine heart troubled? am not I better to thee then ten sonnes?
And Elkanah her husband saith to her, 'Hannah, why weepest thou? and why dost thou not eat? and why is thy heart afflicted? am I not better to thee than ten sons?'
Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why don’t you eat? Why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”
Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
Then Elcana her husband said to her: Anna, why weepest thou? and why dost thou not eat? And why dost thou afflict thy heart? Am not I better to thee than ten children?
Then Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, ◄why are you crying?/please quit crying!► [RHQ] ◄Why are you not eating?/Please eat something!► [RHQ] Why are you so upset/sad? You have me; is that not more important to you than if you had ten sons? (OR, I love you more than your sons would love you, even if you had ten sons.)”
Her husband used to ask her, “Why are you crying? You have to eat. Don’t be sad. Don’t keep on worrying that you have no sons. I love you very much anyway.”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 1:8
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1 Samuel 1:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 1:8
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 1:8
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 1:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 1:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 1:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 1:8
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 1:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 1:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 1:8
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 1:8
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 1:8
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 1:8
Context — Elkanah and His Wives
8“Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband Elkanah asked. “Why won’t you eat? Why is your heart so grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”
9So after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. 10In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruth 4:15 | He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.” |
| 2 | Job 6:14 | A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. |
| 3 | Isaiah 54:6 | For the LORD has called you back, like a wife deserted and wounded in spirit, like the rejected wife of one’s youth,” says your God. |
| 4 | John 20:15 | “Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.” |
| 5 | Psalms 43:4 | Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the harp, O God, my God. |
| 6 | John 20:13 | “Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked. “Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him.” |
| 7 | 1 Thessalonians 5:14 | And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. |
| 8 | 2 Samuel 12:16–17 | David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them. |
| 9 | Isaiah 54:1 | “Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD. |
| 10 | 2 Kings 8:12 | “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.” |
1 Samuel 1:8 Summary
In 1 Samuel 1:8, Elkanah is trying to comfort his wife Hannah, who is crying and not eating because she is grieving her inability to have children. He reminds her that he loves and values her, and that he is better to her than ten sons, showing that he wants to be a source of comfort and support to her. This verse shows us that even when we are struggling with difficult circumstances, we can bring our feelings to God in prayer, just like Hannah does in 1 Samuel 1:9-10, and that our true fulfillment and comfort come from Him, as seen in Jeremiah 31:25 where it is written that God satisfies the weary soul.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the context of Elkanah's question to Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:8?
Elkanah asks Hannah this question because she is crying and not eating, and he wants to understand why she is so grieved, as seen in 1 Samuel 1:7 where it is written that her rival would provoke her and taunt her viciously.
Is Elkanah being insensitive to Hannah's feelings in 1 Samuel 1:8?
Elkanah is trying to comfort Hannah, but he does not fully understand her pain, similar to how Job's friends did not fully understand his suffering in the book of Job, such as in Job 2:11.
What does Elkanah mean by saying he is better to Hannah than ten sons?
Elkanah is trying to remind Hannah of his love and provision for her, and that he values her as a person, not just as a mother, as seen in Ephesians 5:25 where husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loves the church.
How does Hannah respond to Elkanah's question in 1 Samuel 1:8?
Hannah does not directly respond to Elkanah's question, but instead gets up and goes to pray to the Lord, as seen in 1 Samuel 1:9-10, showing that she is seeking comfort and answers from God rather than just her husband.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in your life where you feel like you are grieving or feeling unfulfilled, and how can you bring those feelings to God in prayer?
- How can you, like Elkanah, try to be a source of comfort and support to those around you who may be struggling, as seen in Galatians 6:2 where we are called to bear one another's burdens?
- In what ways can you, like Hannah, prioritize your relationship with God and seek His comfort and guidance in times of distress, as seen in Psalm 34:17-18 where it is written that God is near to the brokenhearted?
- How can you balance the desire for earthly comforts and fulfillments, like having children, with the knowledge that your true fulfillment and comfort come from God, as seen in Psalm 16:11 where it is written that in God's presence is fullness of joy?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 1:8
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 1:8
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 1:8
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 1:8
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 1:8
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 1:8
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 1:8
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 1:8
Sermons on 1 Samuel 1:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
How to Recieve God's Deep Burden for Souls by Gerhard Du Toit | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a burden for souls and the power of prayer. He references a story of two girls who conducted special meetings and sa |
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Distress of Job - Part 2 by W.F. Anderson | The video is a sermon on the book of Job in the Bible. It begins by describing the structure of the book, with a prologue and three cycles of speeches between Job and his friends. |
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(New Wine in New Wineskins) 13. Dead Works by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen delivers a powerful sermon on the distinction between the works of the flesh and dead works as mentioned in the New Testament. He emphasizes that indulging in sinful wor |
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Christ Arose by Welcome Detweiler | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that Jesus had the power to move from one place to another instantly and that H |
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Week of Meetings 01 the Precious Blood by James K. Boswell | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead as recorded in the Gospel of John. The preacher emphasizes the love and compassion of Jesus |
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Getting Back Our Zeal by Richard E. Bieber | Richard E. Bieber preaches about the importance of maintaining zeal and passion for Jesus, drawing from the encounter of Mary Magdalene and the disciples with the resurrected Chris |
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Christ's Resurrected Life Is the Model for Ours by Randy Alcorn | Randy Alcorn delves into the concept of resurrection bodies, emphasizing that our bodies will be transformed to be like Christ's glorious body. He highlights the physical nature of |





