1 Samuel 1:26 kjv
And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.
1 Samuel 1:26 nkjv
And she said, "O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD.
1 Samuel 1:26 niv
and she said to him, "Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD.
1 Samuel 1:26 esv
And she said, "Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the LORD.
1 Samuel 1:26 nlt
"Sir, do you remember me?" Hannah asked. "I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the LORD.
1 Samuel 1 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 1:11 | And she vowed a vow, and said... I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life... | Hannah's original vow. |
| 1 Sam 1:12 | And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD... | Her fervent prayer that led to the vow. |
| 1 Sam 1:13-14 | Eli thought she had been drunken... "How long wilt thou be drunken?" | Eli's initial misjudgment of Hannah. |
| 1 Sam 1:17 | Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition... | Eli's blessing after realizing his error. |
| 1 Sam 1:20 | ...she called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD. | Samuel's birth as the answer to prayer. |
| 1 Sam 1:28 | Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD... | The act of fulfilling the vow. |
| Psa 50:14 | Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: | Importance of keeping vows. |
| Psa 76:11 | Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents... | Encouragement to fulfill vows to God. |
| Ecc 5:4 | When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it... | Warning against delaying vow fulfillment. |
| Deut 23:21 | When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it... | Legal requirement for fulfilling vows. |
| Num 30:2 | If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath... he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. | Principles governing vows and oaths. |
| Gen 21:1-2 | And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said... Sarah bare Abraham a son in his old age. | Parallel with God answering prayer for a barren woman. |
| Jas 5:16 | The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. | The power of earnest prayer exemplified by Hannah. |
| Mt 7:7-8 | Ask, and it shall be given you... every one that asketh receiveth... | Assurance of answered prayer. |
| 1 Jn 5:14-15 | ...if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us... we know that we have the petitions... | Confidence in prayer when aligned with God's will. |
| Isa 65:24 | And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. | God's readiness to answer prayer. |
| Lk 1:37 | For with God nothing shall be impossible. | Reinforces the miraculous nature of Hannah's conception. |
| 2 Sam 11:11 | As thy soul liveth, my lord, and as thy soul liveth, thy servant will not do this thing. | Example of "as thy soul liveth" oath for sincerity. |
| Isa 56:7 | ...my house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. | The Temple/Tabernacle as a place dedicated to prayer. |
| Rom 12:12 | Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; | Importance of persistence in prayer. |
| Psa 116:12-14 | What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits... I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. | Gratitude expressed through vow fulfillment. |
| Lk 18:1 | And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; | The parable of the persistent widow, echoing Hannah's perseverance. |
1 Samuel 1 verses
1 Samuel 1 26 Meaning
Hannah humbly but resolutely identifies herself to High Priest Eli, affirming her presence at that exact location earlier, passionately praying to the LORD for a child, an event Eli had previously misjudged. She declares her intention to fulfill the solemn vow she made during that earnest prayer. This declaration underscores her integrity and devotion, as well as God's faithfulness in answering prayer.
1 Samuel 1 26 Context
1 Samuel chapter 1 introduces Hannah, one of Elkanah's wives, who is barren and suffers greatly due to her condition and the taunting of Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah. The chapter highlights Hannah's deep anguish and her earnest, tearful prayer to the LORD at the Tabernacle in Shiloh, where she vows to dedicate any son given to her back to the LORD for his entire life. This intense prayer leads High Priest Eli to mistakenly believe she is drunk. Upon her clarification, Eli blesses her. The LORD remembers Hannah, and she conceives and gives birth to Samuel. Verse 26 occurs some years later, after Samuel has been weaned, marking Hannah's solemn return to Shiloh to present Samuel to the LORD, thus fulfilling her profound vow. Historically, this period is that of the Judges, characterized by spiritual decline, yet Hannah’s devout faith stands out as a beacon, anticipating the rise of the prophetic office through Samuel, a crucial transitional figure for Israel.
1 Samuel 1 26 Word analysis
- And she said (וַתֹּאמֶר, vattomer): This standard narrative verb introduces Hannah's speech, signifying a direct address and her initiative in approaching Eli.
- Oh my lord (בִּי אֲדֹנִי, bi adoni): This is a deeply respectful and deferential form of address. Bi is an interjection, signifying "Please" or "Pardon me," conveying humility and a plea for attention. Adoni means "my lord," acknowledging Eli's authority as High Priest and head of the sanctuary. The combination highlights Hannah's respectful approach even as she asserts herself.
- as thy soul liveth (חֵי נַפְשְׁךָ, ḥay napheshka): This is a solemn oath or an affirmation of truth, meaning "by your life" or "as surely as you live." In ancient Israel, such oaths were weighty declarations. Hannah uses it here to emphasize the absolute veracity and seriousness of what she is about to state, invoking Eli's very existence as witness to her truthfulness.
- my lord (אֲדֹנִי, adoni): The repetition of "my lord" reinforces her continuous respect for Eli's person and office, despite his earlier misunderstanding. It serves to draw his full attention to her crucial revelation, underscoring the gravity and significance of the upcoming declaration.
- I am the woman (אָנֹכִי הָאִשָּׁה, anochi ha'isha): This is an emphatic declaration, literally "I myself am the woman." It is a powerful, direct self-identification, linking her present presence to a specific past event and confirming her identity.
- that stood by thee here (הָעֹמֶדֶת עִמְּךָ בָּזֶה, ha'omedet immekha bazeh): This phrase serves as a vivid memory prompt. "Stood by thee" indicates physical proximity and Eli's direct, though misunderstood, observation of her. "Here" (בָּזֶה) precisely points to the physical location at the Tabernacle where her prior, fervent prayer took place, eliminating any doubt as to the specific occasion she references.
- praying unto the LORD (מִתְפַּלֶּלֶת אֶל יְהוָה, mitpallelét el Yahweh): This participle phrase accurately describes the continuous, intense, and deeply spiritual nature of her previous action. It specifies that her "standing" was not passive, but an active, earnest supplication. The Hebrew root palal indicates intercession and intense petition. Using Yahweh, the covenant name of God, underscores the personal and redemptive relationship through which she offered her prayer.
Words-group analysis:
- "Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord": This triple phrase encapsulates Hannah's humility, earnestness, and strategic communication. It shows her absolute respect for Eli's authority while simultaneously making an unassailable declaration of truth, compelling his full attention and belief. This demonstrates deep integrity.
- "I am the woman that stood by thee here": This segment highlights Hannah's assertiveness coupled with accuracy. It’s a powerful identification, a moment of recognition and rectification of Eli’s initial mistaken judgment. Her clear and concise statement leaves no room for doubt about who she is or the event she is referencing.
- "that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD": This emphasizes the stark contrast between outward appearance (just "standing") and the deep spiritual reality of her inner anguish and fervent communication with God. It validates her original account and showcases the sincerity and intensity of her devotion that had been misunderstood.
1 Samuel 1 26 Bonus section
This verse sets the stage for the dramatic fulfillment of Hannah’s vow in 1 Sam 1:28 and her prophetic song in 1 Samuel 2, which deeply resonates with future themes of reversal and God’s just rule, even quoted by Mary in Luke 1. Hannah's persistent prayer and subsequent vow fulfillment serve as a profound counterpoint to the spiritual laxity observed among Eli's sons (1 Sam 2:12-17), foreshadowing their judgment and God's raising up a faithful priest in Samuel. This quiet, respectful dialogue between Hannah and Eli at the sanctuary is a pivotal moment, affirming Hannah’s devotion and initiating Samuel's unique service to the LORD.
1 Samuel 1 26 Commentary
1 Samuel 1:26 encapsulates a profound moment of integrity, gratitude, and fulfillment. Hannah, having received her miraculous answer to prayer in Samuel, now meticulously honors her solemn vow. Her declaration to Eli is marked by profound respect and an earnest appeal to his memory, serving not only to identify herself but also to rectify Eli's prior misjudgment with quiet dignity. This act underscores the vital biblical theme of fulfilling promises made to God (Deut 23:21; Ecc 5:4) and serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in answering fervent, persevering prayer (Jas 5:16). Hannah’s adherence to her commitment provides a powerful example of spiritual accountability, demonstrating that true faith includes not just supplication but also obedient action upon answered prayer. It also portrays Eli, despite his earlier misstep, as a high priest who could recognize truth and humbly accept clarification.