1 Samuel 1:15 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 1:15 mean?

1 Samuel 1:15 shows Hannah explaining to Eli the priest that she is not drunk, but deeply troubled and pouring out her heart to God in prayer. Hannah makes it clear that her sorrow is spiritual, not caused by alcohol, and that she is earnestly seeking the LORD’s help.

Hannah is speaking to Eli after he mistakenly assumes she is drunk because of how she is praying silently and emotionally in the temple. She respectfully addresses Eli as “my lord” and describes herself as a “woman of a sorrowful spirit,” meaning she is overwhelmed by grief. Instead of drinking wine or strong drink, she says she has “poured out [her] soul before the LORD,” showing her prayer is heartfelt and desperate.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 1:15

• “sorrowful” (קְשַׁת־, qeshet): This word carries the sense of being hard, severe, or deeply troubled. Hannah is describing the depth of her inner pain, not just a passing sadness.
• “spirit” (רוּחַ, ruach): This word means “spirit” or “inner self.” Hannah’s trouble is not physical but comes from deep within her being.
• “poured out” (שָׁפַךְ, shafakh): To “pour out” one’s soul is a vivid picture of complete honesty and vulnerability before God, as if she is emptying all her feelings and burdens in prayer.
• “soul” (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh): This word means “life” or “self.” Hannah is not just saying words; she is giving her whole self over to God in her prayer.

Why 1 Samuel 1:15 matters

• 1 Samuel 1:15 clears up Eli’s misunderstanding and shows that outward appearances can be misleading when it comes to spiritual matters.
• The verse highlights the depth and honesty of Hannah’s prayer, showing that God welcomes sincere and heartfelt cries for help.
• This moment sets the stage for God’s response to Hannah’s prayer and helps the reader understand her faith and desperation, which are central to the story of Samuel’s birth.