Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Samuel 1:9-18

"So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest was sitting upon his seat by the door-post of the temple of Jehovah. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto Jehovah, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O Jehovah of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thy handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thy handmaid, but wilt give unto thy handmaid a man-child, then I will give him unto Jehovah all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. And it came to pass, as she continued praying before Jehovah, that Eli marked her mouth. Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Jehovah. Count not thy handmaid for a wicked woman; for out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation have I spoken hitherto. Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace; and the God of Israel grant thy petition that thou hast asked of him. And she said, Let thy handmaid find favor in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat; and her countenance was no more [sad]." — 1 Samuel 1:9-18 (ASV)

Hannah mingled tears with her prayers; she considered the mercy of our God, who knows the troubled soul. God allows us, in prayer, not only to ask for good things in general, but also to mention that special good thing we most need and desire. She spoke softly; no one could hear her. In this way, she testified to her belief in God's knowledge of the heart and its desires.

Eli was high priest and judge in Israel. It is not fitting for us to be rash and hasty in our censures of others, and to think people guilty of bad things while the matter is doubtful and unproven. Hannah did not retort the charge, nor did she upbraid Eli for the wicked conduct of his own sons. When we are at any time unjustly censured, we need to be doubly watchful over our words, so that we do not return censure for censure.

Hannah thought it enough to clear herself, and so should we. Eli was willing to acknowledge his mistake. Hannah went away with peace of mind. She herself had, through prayer, committed her case to God, and Eli had prayed for her. Prayer is heart's ease to a gracious soul.

Prayer will smooth the countenance; it should do so. No one will long remain miserable who rightly uses the privilege of going to the mercy-seat of a reconciled God in Christ Jesus.