1 Samuel 1:9 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

After they had eaten, i.e. Elkanah and his company, except Hannah. Or, she; for though at first she eat nothing, yet upon her husband's invitation and encouragement she might eat afterwards; though the former may seem more probable. Upon a seat, or throne; for it is manifest it was raised higher than ordinary, 1 Samuel 4:18. Here he might sit, either as the judge, or rather as high priest, to hear and answer such as came to him for advice, and to inspect and direct the worship of God as need was. By a post of the temple, i.e. of the tabernacle, which is called the temple here, and 1 Samuel 3:3 2 Samuel 22:7 Psalms 27:6; as, on the contrary, the temple is called the tabernacle, Jeremiah 10:20 Lamentations 2:6. And although this tabernacle was but a tent, yet it was supported by boards and posts, and especially at the entrance, by which Eli sat, even by the entrance into the outward court, otherwise he could not have seen Hannah. See Poole on "1 Samuel 3:15".