1 Samuel 1:5

5 But Elkanah always gave a special share of the meat to Hannah, because he loved Hannah and because the Lord had kept her from having children.

1 Samuel 1:5 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 1:5

But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion
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" ^F8; 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 ^F9 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" ^F11; this did not abate his love to her.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 (Mypa txa hnm) "unam portionem duarum facicrum", Sanctius Belgae.
F9 Sic Stockins, p. 79.
F11 (hwhyw) "quanquam Jehovah", Piscator.

1 Samuel 1:5 In-Context

3 Every year Elkanah left his town of Ramah and went up to Shiloh to worship the Lord All-Powerful and to offer sacrifices to him. Shiloh was where Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, served as priests of the Lord.

4 When Elkanah offered sacrifices, he always gave a share of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to her sons and daughters.

5 But Elkanah always gave a special share of the meat to Hannah, because he loved Hannah and because the Lord had kept her from having children.

6 Peninnah would tease Hannah and upset her, because the Lord had made her unable to have children.

7 This happened every year when they went up to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. Peninnah would upset Hannah until Hannah would cry and not eat anything.