Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
De var i Sjilo ved Herrens tempel. Da sa Elkana til henne: «Hanna, hvorfor gråter du? Hvorfor spiser du ikke? Og hvorfor er du så sorgfull? Du har jo meg, mannen din. Er ikke det viktigere enn om du hadde hatt ti sønner?» Hanna reiste seg opp etter at de hadde spist og drukket. Hun var bitter mens hun ba til Herren og gråt heftig. Presten Eli var til stede. Han satt på en stol ved inngangen til Herrens tempel. Så avla hun et løfte: «Hærskarenes Herre, hvis Du bare vil se til meg, Din tjenerinne. Du ser hvor dårlig det står til med meg. Ikke glem meg, men la meg få en sønn. Da skal jeg gi ham tilbake til Deg, Herre. Han skal tilhøre Deg. Som et tegn på at han skal være Din, skal han la være å klippe håret sitt.
What Does This Mean?
In 1 Samuel 1:8, Elkanah, Hannah's husband, asks her why she is crying, not eating, and why her heart is sad, reassuring her that he is better than ten sons. This verse highlights Elkanah's concern for his wife's emotional well-being.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're feeling really sad and your mom or dad comes to you, asking why you're crying and not eating. They want to comfort you and let you know that they care about you more than anything else. That's what Elkanah is doing for Hannah here.
Historical Background
The Book of 1 Samuel was written by various authors, possibly including the prophet Samuel, Nathan, and Gad. It was written around 930-700 BCE. This passage was likely written for the Israelites, detailing the life of Samuel and highlighting the importance of faith and divine intervention.
Living It Out Today
Today, when a friend or partner is going through a tough time, this verse reminds us to show empathy and support. For example, if your friend is sad because they didn't get a promotion at work, you can remind them that your friendship and support are more valuable than any achievement.
Hannah is sad because she is barren and desires to have a child. In that cultural context, not having a child was often seen as a source of sorrow and even shame.
How does Elkanah show empathy in 1 Samuel 1:8?
Elkanah shows empathy by noticing Hannah's sadness and asking about her feelings, and by reminding her that his love and support are more important than having many children.
What can we learn from Elkanah's response to Hannah?
We can learn the importance of being attentive to our loved ones' emotions and offering comfort and reassurance when they are going through difficult times.
How does 1 Samuel 1:8 relate to modern relationships?
This verse teaches us to prioritize emotional support and companionship over material achievements or societal expectations in our relationships, which is relevant in today's context as well.