Eli answered and said, Go in peace— Satisfied by her modest and respectful answer, Eli dismisses her with a blessing; which appears to have given Hannah so much gratification, that she departed in perfect complacence, nothing doubting of the completion of her petition, which the high-priest had condescended himself to enforce. The Chaldee renders it, go in peace; and the God of Israel will grant thee, &c.
REFLECTIONS.—1. Hannah took the first opportunity of retiring, to pour out her complaints into the bosom of a compassionate God. She felt a bitterness which only he could remove, and mingled her tears with her prayers in the fervour of her devotion. Note; (1.) No relief like prayer for an afflicted soul. (2.) The tears we shed upon our knees are those flittings that God puts in his bottle, and which this Father of Mercies will wipe away by an answer of peace to the burdened soul.
2. Eli observing her move her lips, but not hearing her voice, (for her prayer was mental, and the Lord, who saw her heart, read her importunate desires,) hastily concludes her drunken, and gives her a sharp rebuke for her supposed impiety. Note; (1.) Hasty suspicions and rash censures are very sinful. (2.) The prayer of the heart is that which God chiefly regards, and without words he can read our desires.
3. Hannah's answer is as respectful and humble, as Eli's charge was hasty and censorious. Far from being provoked at an accusation so contrary to the truth, she with reverence addresses him, My Lord, and meekly explains the true cause of her behaviour. She begs him not to have so ill an opinion of her, as to think her such a daughter of Belial. It was not wine, but the bitterness of her affliction, that made her appear discomposed and disordered. Her cry was internal to the God of mercy, and her lips moved not in folly, but in prayer. Note; (1.) Every drunkard is a child of Belial; but a drunken woman is doubly infamous. (2.) When unjustly censured, let us never return railing for railing. (3.) We do well to explain the motives of our conduct; and to remove those prejudices of our brethren which may be entertained against us, however unjustly.
4. Eli readily receives her plea, rejoices in her vindication, is sorry for his own rashness, and makes her amends by the benediction he bestows, and his earnestly seconding her prayers by his supplication to God in her behalf for an answer of peace. Note; (1.) We should be pleased to find ourselves mistaken in our misapprehension of our brethren, and endeavour to repair the error immediately. (2.) A good man's benediction and prayers are valuable blessings.
5. Hannah, having now cast her care upon God, puts off her sorrow, and regains a peaceful mind, departing in faith that the Lord had heard, and would answer the voice of her humble petitions. Note; The prayer of faith can cheer the sinking heart, and smooth the discomposed countenance of the afflicted.