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1 Samuel 1:18 meaning

Hannah, having prayed in faith, resumed her daily life with a confident heart, trusting God would answer her plea.

She said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad (v.18). Hannah—who lived during the time of the judges, around 1100 BC—had come to Shiloh, the city where the tabernacle stood, to pray for a son because she was childless (1 Samuel 1:1-17). Shiloh was located in the hill country of Ephraim, centrally in the land of Israel, and served as an important religious center prior to the establishment of a king. After Hannah poured her heart out to God, she was misunderstood at first by Eli the priest, but upon hearing her explanation, Eli blessed her and prayed that God would grant her petition (1 Samuel 1:17). Hannah responded in faith by saying, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” She demonstrated trust that the LORD had heard her plea and would deliver her from her distress.

The passage states, So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. (v.18). Before this prayer, Hannah had been so grieved that she could not eat (1 Samuel 1:7). After bringing her burden to God, her entire countenance changed, revealing the peace that comes from faith in the LORD (Philippians 4:6-7). She had settled in her heart that God was good, would be faithful, and would keep His promises. This serves as a beautiful illustration of how leaving our cares with the LORD can free us from sorrow and allow us to continue forward in faith and hope.

Hannah’s story points ahead to the grace extended to all believers through Jesus Christ. Like Hannah, we can cast our burdens on the LORD, knowing that He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Hannah’s rest in God’s favor brought her a tranquility of spirit that can only come when we trust God fully. She would soon conceive and bear Samuel, who later became a judge and prophet in Israel’s history (1 Samuel 1:20; 3:19-21). Her simple statement, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight,” stands as a testament to the power of humble faith when we entrust our deep-seated needs to the Lord.

She asked God to show her favor, and left her burdens at God’s door.

1 Samuel 1:18