“Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?”

Commentaries

3

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

CharlesEllicott

19th Century
Anglican
19th Century

Than ten sons. —Merely a round number to express many. The simple narration evidently came from Hannah, who, no doubt, in later ye…

John Gill

John Gill

JohnGill

17th Century
Reformed Baptist
17th Century

Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why do you weep? &c.] Since it was a time of rejoicing, as every festival w…

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

MatthewHenry

17th Century
Presbyterian
17th Century

Elkanah maintained his attendance at God's altar, despite the unhappy differences in his family. If a family's devotions do not prevail to end its …