1 Samuel 1:7
And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.
Original Language Analysis
וְכֵ֨ן
H3651
וְכֵ֨ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֜ה
And as he did
H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֜ה
And as he did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
2 of 13
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מִדֵּ֤י
when
H1767
מִדֵּ֤י
when
Strong's:
H1767
Word #:
5 of 13
enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases
עֲלֹתָהּ֙
she went up
H5927
עֲלֹתָהּ֙
she went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
6 of 13
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בְּבֵ֣ית
to the house
H1004
בְּבֵ֣ית
to the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
7 of 13
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כֵּ֖ן
H3651
כֵּ֖ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
תַּכְעִסֶ֑נָּה
so she provoked
H3707
תַּכְעִסֶ֑נָּה
so she provoked
Strong's:
H3707
Word #:
10 of 13
to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant
Historical Context
The annual pilgrimage to Shiloh likely coincided with one of the three major festivals. Given the timing of Samuel's birth and Hannah's subsequent visits, scholars suggest this may have been the Feast of Tabernacles, a seven-day autumn celebration of ingathering.
Questions for Reflection
- How can recurring seasons of difficulty become opportunities for spiritual growth?
- What does Hannah's perseverance in attending worship despite her pain teach about faithful endurance?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The repetitive nature of Peninnah's provocation ('year by year') reveals sustained cruelty rather than isolated incidents. The sacred feast days that should have brought joy became occasions of deepest sorrow for Hannah. Her response of weeping and refusing food indicates profound depression. Yet this annual cycle of suffering prepared Hannah's heart for the prayer that would change Israel's history. God often uses prolonged trials to deepen our prayers from casual requests to desperate, faith-filled petitions.