What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 1:10? Hannah’s bitter distress • The verse begins, “In her bitter distress,” reminding us that Hannah’s pain was real, deep, and overwhelming. Scripture records that she was barren (1 Samuel 1:2), mocked by Peninnah (1 Samuel 1:6), and misunderstood by her husband (1 Samuel 1:8). • God’s Word never minimizes sorrow. Psalm 34:18 affirms, “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” • Personal anguish does not negate faith; it often exposes it. Job poured out grief (Job 3:20–26), yet the narrative calls him blameless (Job 1:1). • Believers today may face seasons of bitterness—unanswered prayers, family conflict, health fears—but the Bible consistently presents such valleys as opportunities to meet the Lord more intimately (Psalm 23:4). Hannah prayed to the LORD • “Hannah prayed to the LORD”—she ran toward God, not away from Him. Psalm 62:8 urges, “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him.” • Her prayer shows that grief can coexist with worship. Philippians 4:6 commands, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” • She addressed “the LORD,” using His covenant name (1 Samuel 1:11), anchoring her plea in the character of the God who keeps promises (Deuteronomy 7:9). • Persistent, personal, honest prayer remains the believer’s lifeline. Jesus highlighted this in Luke 18:1—“They should always pray and not give up.” Hannah wept with many tears • The Holy Spirit records that she “wept with many tears.” God values tears; Psalm 56:8 says, “You have collected all my tears in Your bottle.” • Tears are not weakness but surrender. Even the Lord Jesus “wept” at Lazarus’s tomb (John 11:35). • Her tears preceded a breakthrough of faith and later, rejoicing (1 Samuel 2:1–10). Psalm 126:5 echoes, “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.” • Ultimately, God promises a future without tears—Revelation 21:4 foresees the day when “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Until then, tears can be holy offerings. summary Hannah’s story shows that bitter distress is a reality in a fallen world, but Scripture calls believers to carry that hurt straight to the covenant-keeping God. Honest prayer—captured in words and tears—invites divine comfort and sets the stage for God’s timely answer. Like Hannah, we can trust that the Lord hears, cares, and will turn present sorrow into future praise. |
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