1 Samuel 1:6 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 1:6 mean?

1 Samuel 1:6 describes how Hannah’s rival would provoke and upset her deeply, specifically to make her feel troubled because the LORD had prevented her from having children. The verse shows that Hannah’s inability to conceive was a source of pain, made worse by someone who intentionally reminded her of it.

The setting is the household of Elkanah, where Hannah and another woman, Peninnah, are both his wives. Peninnah, the "adversary," would taunt Hannah year after year because Hannah could not have children, which was seen as a great misfortune in their culture. The verse highlights not just Hannah’s sorrow, but also the cruelty she faced from someone close to her.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 1:6

• "adversary" (צָרָה, tsarah): This word means a rival or someone who causes distress. Here, it points to Peninnah’s active role in making Hannah’s life difficult.
• "provoked" (כָּעַס, ka'as): This word means to irritate or anger. Peninnah’s actions were not accidental; she deliberately tried to upset Hannah.
• "fret" (רָעַם, raam): This word can mean to thunder or to cause trembling. The sense is that Hannah was deeply disturbed or agitated, not just mildly annoyed.
• "shut" (סָגַר, sagar): This verb means to close or shut up. The verse directly attributes Hannah’s childlessness to the LORD’s action, which was a common way in the Old Testament to explain infertility.

Why 1 Samuel 1:6 matters

• The verse clarifies that Hannah’s suffering was not only from her inability to have children, but also from the intentional cruelty of someone in her own household.
• It emphasizes that her childlessness was understood as coming from the LORD, which shaped how people in the story responded to her situation.
• This verse sets up the emotional background for Hannah’s later prayer and vow, helping readers understand the depth of her distress and longing.