John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou ? etc.] Since it was a time of rejoicing, as every festival was, especially at the ingathering of the fruits of the earth: and why eatest thou not ? since they were at a feast, and she had the best part and portion of the provision: and why is thy heart grieved ? to such a degree that she could neither eat nor drink: am not I better to thee than ten sons ? which, as Jarchi says, Peninnah had borne to him; his meaning is, that the share she had in his love and affections ought to have been esteemed by her more than if she had ten or many children by him; and it suggests that Peninnah would have been glad to have such a share in his affections as Hannah had; and it would have been more eligible to her, than to have borne him so many children as she had.
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 ויאמר559 לה אלקנה511 אישׁה376 חנה2584 למה4100 תבכי1058 ולמה4100 לא3808 תאכלי398 ולמה4100 ירע3415 לבבך3824 הלוא3808 אנכי595 טוב2896 לך מעשׂרה6235 בנים׃1121
