1 Samuel 1 18

1 Samuel 1:18 kjv

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.

1 Samuel 1:18 nkjv

And she said, "Let your maidservant find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

1 Samuel 1:18 niv

She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

1 Samuel 1:18 esv

And she said, "Let your servant find favor in your eyes." Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

1 Samuel 1:18 nlt

"Oh, thank you, sir!" she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.

1 Samuel 1 verses

1 Samuel 1 18 Meaning

1 Samuel 1:18 describes Hannah's profound inner transformation and the restoration of her peace and hope, immediately after receiving a word of blessing from Eli the priest. Her request to find favor reflected a continued posture of humility and desire for acceptance. The verse highlights her faith; upon hearing Eli’s words, she accepted them as divine assurance, leading her to break her fast of sorrow and regain her joy before any physical manifestation of the promised blessing occurred.

1 Samuel 1 18 Context

This verse serves as the turning point in Hannah’s narrative within 1 Samuel chapter 1. Prior to this, Hannah was deeply distressed and afflicted, constantly provoked by Peninnah due to her barrenness (1 Sam 1:6-7). Her sorrow was so profound that she could not eat (1 Sam 1:7). She poured out her soul to the Lord in prayer at the tabernacle in Shiloh (1 Sam 1:9-16), a central worship site for Israel during the period of the Judges. Eli, the high priest, initially misunderstood her earnest prayer as drunkenness (1 Sam 1:12-14), but after her explanation, he blessed her, saying, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him" (1 Sam 1:17). Hannah’s response in verse 18 signifies her immediate acceptance of Eli's blessing as a divine assurance, despite not yet having received the physical manifestation of a child. This transformation precedes the account of her conceiving and bearing Samuel.

1 Samuel 1 18 Word analysis

• Then she said: Signifies an immediate response to Eli's blessing in the preceding verse. Her words affirm her humble posture and respectful acknowledgment of Eli’s priestly authority.
• "Let your servant": Hebrew: אֲמָתֶךָ (amatheka), meaning "your female servant" or "your handmaid." Hannah consistently refers to herself in this humble manner (e.g., 1 Sam 1:11, 1:16), indicating submission and dependency, not only on God but also respectfully before His anointed priest. This contrasts with pride and elevates the position of the one being addressed.
• "find favor": Hebrew: מָצָא חֵן (matsa chen), literally "to find grace." This is a common biblical expression indicating a desire for acceptance, approval, or kind regard from another person, which can open doors to help or blessing. In this context, it suggests Hannah desires Eli's continued goodwill and priestly blessing, possibly reinforcing the prayer he just uttered over her. It implies seeking human good regard that aligns with God's favor.
• "in your eyes": An idiomatic expression meaning "in your opinion" or "in your sight." Hannah seeks to be well-regarded by Eli, reinforcing the sincerity of her heart after his initial misjudgment.
• "So the woman went her way": Implies a definitive departure from the sanctuary with renewed purpose. It shows the practical consequence of her transformed state.
• "and ate": A highly significant action. Eating here is not just sustenance; it symbolically represents the breaking of a sorrowful fast (indicated by her previous refusal to eat, 1 Sam 1:7-8). It signifies internal peace and a return to normal life activities, directly linked to her faith in Eli's prophetic blessing. It suggests restoration and comfort received.
• "and her face was no longer sad": Hebrew: וּפָנֶיהָ לֹא הָיוּ לָהּ עוֹד זְעֵפִים (uphaneha lo hayu lah od z'ephim). The word זְעֵפִים (z'ephim) means "gloomy," "sullen," "angry," or "troubled." This phrase highlights the radical internal change. Her physical demeanor reflected her inner state. The sorrow and anxiety that had visibly marked her countenance (1 Sam 1:18) were replaced by peace and hope before Samuel's conception. This is crucial as it demonstrates that faith brings internal peace before external fulfillment.

1 Samuel 1 18 Bonus section

• Prophetic Declaration vs. Personal Prayer: Eli’s words in verse 17 function as a prophetic declaration of God’s will in response to Hannah’s fervent prayer. Hannah receives this priestly word as if it were a direct answer from God. This dynamic underscores the importance of a believing response to God's proclaimed will through His servants.
• Anticipatory Joy: Hannah's joy and cessation of sorrow precede the actual birth of Samuel. This illustrates an important biblical principle: faith provides joy and peace in the waiting, not just in the receiving.
• Shiloh's Significance: The tabernacle at Shiloh was a place of divine presence. Hannah's breakthrough here emphasizes the importance of seeking God in His appointed place and manner, though ultimately, it is the sincerity of heart and faith that brings true connection.
• Reversal of Shame: Hannah's "no longer sad face" prefigures the complete reversal of her shame and sorrow through the birth of Samuel, showing that God's restoration often begins internally.

1 Samuel 1 18 Commentary

1 Samuel 1:18 is a pivotal verse, marking Hannah's spiritual triumph. It vividly portrays the transformative power of a word of promise, even when spoken by a fallible human agent, when it is received in faith as coming from God. Hannah's response demonstrates exemplary faith: she takes Eli's priestly blessing not merely as a kind wish but as an assurance from the God of Israel. Her physical actions – departing, eating – and the change in her outward appearance – her face no longer sad – are direct manifestations of an internal shift. She moved from a state of deep anguish and supplication to one of peace and confident expectation. This highlights that true faith brings rest to the soul before the desired outcome is realized in the natural realm. It serves as a profound example of how trusting in God's promises can alleviate internal distress and bring joy even in the waiting period. This faith-filled peace allowed her to break free from the emotional captivity of barrenness and Peninnah's taunts.