God provides hope to the broken-hearted, urging them to persist in faith.
Eli, the high priest of Israel at Shiloh around 1100 BC (1 Samuel 1:9), spoke words of blessing to Hannah after her fervent prayer for a child. He told her, “Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of Him” (v.17). Shiloh was located in the central hill country of what is now commonly referred to as the West Bank, roughly a day’s journey north of Jerusalem. At the time of 1 Samuel, Shiloh served as the center of Israelite worship, where the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant were kept before the ark was captured by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4) and eventually moved to other locations.
When Eli says, Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of Him (v.17), it shows a significant shift from his earlier misunderstanding of Hannah’s silent but deeply emotional prayer. Hannah’s plea was personal and showed her complete reliance on the LORD. Once Eli comprehends her sincerity, he offers a blessing, signifying a priestly endorsement of Hannah’s heartfelt supplication. In Israel’s historical context, the priests served as mediators between the people and God; thus Eli’s words demonstrated both compassion and spiritual authority. Israel in that period was in the time of the judges (ca. 1371-1050 BC), before the establishment of the monarchy.
Because Eli was God’s appointed priest and a judge over Israel, his pronouncement carried weight. Hannah’s response of trust paved the way for her to receive God’s answer: the birth of Samuel, one of the most influential prophets and the final judge of Israel (1 Samuel 1:19-20, 7:6). This episode underscores how God hears sincere, humble prayers and works through His appointed servants to confirm His blessing. Looking beyond Hannah’s story, this scene also foreshadows the power of faithful petition seen in the New Testament, where Jesus encourages believers to ask in His name with confidence that their prayers will be heard (John 14:13-14).
God grants grace and meets those who come with genuine hearts, as demonstrated by Hannah. Eli’s words in 1 Samuel 1:17 serve as a reminder that when believers faithfully place their petitions before God, He is able to grant their requests according to His will and timing, bringing both rest and assurance to the one who prays.
This verse demonstrates how a pastor or priestly figure can confirm a worshiper’s heartfelt prayer and points to the powerful principle that God answers prayer offered in humility.
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1 Samuel 1:17 meaning
Eli, the high priest of Israel at Shiloh around 1100 BC (1 Samuel 1:9), spoke words of blessing to Hannah after her fervent prayer for a child. He told her, “Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of Him” (v.17). Shiloh was located in the central hill country of what is now commonly referred to as the West Bank, roughly a day’s journey north of Jerusalem. At the time of 1 Samuel, Shiloh served as the center of Israelite worship, where the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant were kept before the ark was captured by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4) and eventually moved to other locations.
When Eli says, Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of Him (v.17), it shows a significant shift from his earlier misunderstanding of Hannah’s silent but deeply emotional prayer. Hannah’s plea was personal and showed her complete reliance on the LORD. Once Eli comprehends her sincerity, he offers a blessing, signifying a priestly endorsement of Hannah’s heartfelt supplication. In Israel’s historical context, the priests served as mediators between the people and God; thus Eli’s words demonstrated both compassion and spiritual authority. Israel in that period was in the time of the judges (ca. 1371-1050 BC), before the establishment of the monarchy.
Because Eli was God’s appointed priest and a judge over Israel, his pronouncement carried weight. Hannah’s response of trust paved the way for her to receive God’s answer: the birth of Samuel, one of the most influential prophets and the final judge of Israel (1 Samuel 1:19-20, 7:6). This episode underscores how God hears sincere, humble prayers and works through His appointed servants to confirm His blessing. Looking beyond Hannah’s story, this scene also foreshadows the power of faithful petition seen in the New Testament, where Jesus encourages believers to ask in His name with confidence that their prayers will be heard (John 14:13-14).
God grants grace and meets those who come with genuine hearts, as demonstrated by Hannah. Eli’s words in 1 Samuel 1:17 serve as a reminder that when believers faithfully place their petitions before God, He is able to grant their requests according to His will and timing, bringing both rest and assurance to the one who prays.
This verse demonstrates how a pastor or priestly figure can confirm a worshiper’s heartfelt prayer and points to the powerful principle that God answers prayer offered in humility.