1 Samuel 1:18
And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
Original Language Analysis
תִּמְצָ֧א
find
H4672
תִּמְצָ֧א
find
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
שִׁפְחָֽתְךָ֛
Let thine handmaid
H8198
שִׁפְחָֽתְךָ֛
Let thine handmaid
Strong's:
H8198
Word #:
3 of 14
a female slave (as a member of the household)
חֵ֖ן
grace
H2580
חֵ֖ן
grace
Strong's:
H2580
Word #:
4 of 14
graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ
in thy sight
H5869
בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ
in thy sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
5 of 14
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וַתֵּ֨לֶךְ
H1980
וַתֵּ֨לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
6 of 14
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לְדַרְכָּהּ֙
her way
H1870
לְדַרְכָּהּ֙
her way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
8 of 14
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וּפָנֶ֥יהָ
and her countenance
H6440
וּפָנֶ֥יהָ
and her countenance
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
10 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Ruth 2:13Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.Romans 15:13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.Ecclesiastes 9:7Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.Genesis 33:15And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my lord.John 16:24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Historical Context
The phrase 'her countenance was no more sad' literally means 'her face was no longer hers' - that is, the face marked by grief was replaced by a different expression. Such transformations after prayer encounters appear elsewhere in Scripture (Exodus 34:29-35; Acts 6:15).
Questions for Reflection
- Have you experienced the assurance of answered prayer before actually receiving what you requested?
- How does faith transform our emotional state even before circumstances change?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Hannah's request to 'find grace' (matzah chen) in Eli's sight confirms her acceptance of his priestly authority despite his initial error. Her immediate transformation - resuming eating with changed countenance - demonstrates the power of Spirit-given assurance. She had not yet received her request but acted as though it were already granted. This faith-response anticipates the New Testament teaching that faith is 'the substance of things hoped for' (Hebrews 11:1). Hannah left the encounter changed, not because circumstances had changed, but because she had met with God.