Her adversary also provoked her— Houbigant renders this very well, her rival also provoked her even to wrath on this very account, because the Lord had shut up her womb. The word rendered adversary, or rival, signifies a person that distresses or afflicts. See Parkhurst on צר.
REFLECTIONS.—This chapter opens,
1. With an account of Samuel's parentage and birthplace. His father was of the family of Korah—a good branch from a bad stock.
2. He was the son of pious parents. His father Elkanah, signifying God hath possessed, a Levite, went up annually with his family to sacrifice at Shiloh unto the Lord of Sabaoth, or hosts, (which title of God here first occurs,) a rare instance of adherence to God when Israel in general had apostatized from him. Note; (1.) It is among the greater blessings, to be the child of pious parents. (2.) The more others turn away from God, the closer should we cleave to him.
3. Notice is taken of Elkanah's two wives; one ought to have sufficed him. Probably, as he had no children by the first, he was tempted to take a second; but though he obtained his wish on one hand, his comfort was greatly embittered on the other, by the contests and vexations occasioned between Hannah and Peninnah. Hannah signifies beautiful, and she had engaged Elkanah's best affections; Peninnah, a diamond; she enriched his family with children, but was rough and sharp in her temper. She could not bear Elkanah's partiality to her rival, and therefore took every occasion to provoke and exasperate her. Note; (1.) When we step out of the way of God's providence to gather worldly comforts, we shall find the sweet we expected embittered with gall. (2.) Jealous love cannot bear a rival; let it admonish us to keep our hearts single for God.
4. The quarrel breaks out between the two wives, even before the Lord in Shiloh, for what place is there so sacred as to exclude the intrusion of human corruption! Peninnah, envious of Hannah's interest in her husband, upbraids her with her barrenness, seeking maliciously to destroy her comfort, if she cannot engage his regard. And this she did at each returning feast, when the appearance of Elkanah's partial love to Hannah roused her jealousy and resentment. Hannah, unable to bear the aggravating taunts, and afflicted beyond measure under her barrenness, too easily gratified her rival's malice, by the sensibility she expressed at her reproaches. Melancholy and discontented, she would not eat, and did nothing but weep, instead of rejoicing before the Lord, and counting herself happy in the blessing of her husband's affection. Note; (1.) A malicious spirit, like the devil, takes delight in the miseries that others suffer by its means. (2.) Those who are of a fretful temper lay themselves open to continual uneasiness. (3.) Most of our miseries we make ourselves by our unthankfulness: did we weigh our mercies, we should be ashamed to complain.
5. Elkanah by every kind endearment seeks to soothe the sorrows of her heart. His love to her was not at all affected by her barrenness. He carves the nicest part of the festal board to testify his fond regard, and with soft tenderness gently chides the uneasiness that he with grief beheld. Why weepest thou? Why eatest thou not these offerings of peace with a grateful heart to the God of thy mercies? Is not my love better to thee than ten sons? Note; (1.) Love hides all blemishes, and sees no faults. (2.) As barrenness is from God, it ill becomes us to quarrel with him; and it were cruel in a husband to add affliction to the afflicted. (3.) We cannot see those whom we love weeping, without feeling for them the tenderest distress, and eagerly longing to relieve them. (4.) Many of our sorrows are of our own making. It were well if we asked ourselves often, Why weepest thou? (5.) That sorrow is to be condemned as sinful, which unfits us for, or diverts us from, the worship of God. (6.) Religion and reason will afford us a cure for all our distresses: if we possess the one, and exercise the other aright, we shall soon dry up our tears.