Shmuel Alef 1:12

12 And it came to pass, as she continued davening before Hashem, that Eli observed her mouth.

Shmuel Alef 1:12 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 1:12

And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord,
&c.] Being very earnest and importunate with him to grant her request, and therefore repeated her petition, and prolonged her prayer, being unwilling to let the Lord go, until she had a promise, or some satisfaction, that she should have the thing she liked; some think she continued an hour in prayer:

that Eli marked her mouth;
observed the motion of her lips, and no doubt her distorted countenance, and uplifted eyes and hands, but chiefly the former; not knowing what the woman was at, and what could be the meaning of such motions.

Shmuel Alef 1:12 In-Context

10 And she was in bitterness of nefesh, and davened unto Hashem, and wept greatly.

11 And she vowed a neder (vow), and said, O Hashem Tzva’os, if thou wilt indeed look on the misery of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid zera anashim, then I will give him unto Hashem kol yamei of his chayyah, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

12 And it came to pass, as she continued davening before Hashem, that Eli observed her mouth.

13 Now Channah, she davened in her lev; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought her to be shikkorah.

14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunk? Put away thy yayin from thee.