1 Samuel 1:9 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat, &c.— Eli, who was of the family of Ithamar, was both high-priest and judge at this time. He was born in the end of Gideon's judicature, and died in the middle of the Philistines' tyranny over the Israelites, according to Sir John Marsham, who observes, that his judicature consisted only in hearing and judging causes by his pontifical authority. He did not signalize himself by any victories: he was such a judge as Samuel's sons were, chap. 1 Samuel 8:1 and Samuel himself, after Saul began to reign. See chap. 1 Samuel 7:15; 1 Samuel 7:17. Of the temple of the Lord, in this verse, would be better rendered, Of the tabernacle of the Lord. It appears from the first words of this verse, that Hannah rose up to go to the tabernacle at the time of the evening-sacrifice, for it was after they had dined.