John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion , etc.] Or, one choice portion, as the Targum; the best part or portion in the peace offering, of what the priest had not; he had the breast and the right shoulder, the next best piece he gave to Hannah; and the word being of the dual number, some render it a double portion; others, “one part of two faces” f14 ; which Jerom interprets, which might be received with a cheerful countenance, it was so good and excellent in its kind; others interpret it that he gave it with a sorrowful and displeased countenance, because of the reason following, that she had no children; but Ben Gersom understands it of a part or portion of meat that had two faces or appearances; that he gave her one of the pieces, one part of which was very fat, and the other had no fat on it, so that she might choose what she liked best: for he loved Hannah ; loved her best, and therefore did everything to please her, and make her comfortable under her affliction for want of children, and to express his tender affection for her: but the Lord had shut up her womb ; restrained her from conception, and bearing children; (see Genesis 20:18) or “though the Lord had shut up her womb” f16 ; this did not abate his love to her.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Elkanah kept up his attendance at God's altar, notwithstanding the unhappy differences in his family. If the devotions of a family prevai not to put an end to its divisions, yet let not the divisions put stop to the devotions. To abate our just love to any relation for the sake of any infirmity which they cannot help, and which is their affliction, is to make God's providence quarrel with his precept, an very unkindly to add affliction to the afflicted. It is evidence of base disposition, to delight in grieving those who are of a sorrowfu spirit, and in putting those out of humour who are apt to fret and be uneasy. We ought to bear one another's burdens, not add to them. Hanna could not bear the provocation. Those who are of a fretful spirit, an are apt to lay provocations too much to heart, are enemies to themselves, and strip themselves of many comforts both of life an godliness. We ought to notice comforts, to keep us from grieving for crosses. We should look at that which is for us, as well as what is against us.
Original Hebrew ולחנה2584 יתן5414 מנה4490 אחת259 אפים639 כי3588 את853 חנה2584 אהב157 ויהוה3068 סגר5462 רחמה׃7358
