King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 1:16 Mean?

1 Samuel 1:16 in the King James Version says “Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hith...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. complaint: or, meditation”

1 Samuel 1:16 · KJV

Context

14

And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.

15

And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. of a sorrowful: Heb. hard of spirit

16

Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. complaint: or, meditation

17

Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

18

And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

Read 1 Samuel 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Hannah's reference to 'daughter of Belial' uses strong language requiring explanation. Belial (beli-ya'al, worthlessness or wickedness) later becomes a name for Satan in intertestamental literature. Hannah essentially asks Eli not to count her among worthless, wicked people. Her explanation attributes her unusual prayer to 'abundance of complaint and grief' rather than wine. The Hebrew words (siach and ka'as) describe both the inner experience of troubled meditation and the outward expression of anguish. Hannah's transparent self-disclosure models honest communication even under unjust criticism.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

'Sons/daughters of Belial' appears throughout the Old Testament to describe thoroughly wicked persons (Deuteronomy 13:13; Judges 19:22; 1 Samuel 2:12). The term's later evolution into a proper name for Satan (2 Corinthians 6:15) shows its progression in Jewish thought.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Hannah's respectful correction of Eli model appropriate responses to spiritual authority?
  2. What role does transparent self-disclosure play in resolving misunderstandings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
אַל1 of 14
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּתֵּן֙2 of 14

“Count”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת3 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲמָ֣תְךָ֔4 of 14

“not thine handmaid”

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

לִפְנֵ֖י5 of 14

“for”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

בַּת6 of 14

“a daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

בְּלִיָּ֑עַל7 of 14

“of Belial”

H1100

without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness

כִּֽי8 of 14
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מֵרֹ֥ב9 of 14

“for out of the abundance”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

שִׂיחִ֛י10 of 14

“of my complaint”

H7879

a contemplation; by implication, an utterance

וְכַעְסִ֖י11 of 14

“and grief”

H3708

vexation

דִּבַּ֥רְתִּי12 of 14

“have I spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

עַד13 of 14
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הֵֽנָּה׃14 of 14
H2008

hither or thither (but used both of place and time)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 1:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 1:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 2:12Job 6:2-3Matthew 12:34-35Job 10:1-21 Samuel 25:25Deuteronomy 13:13

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 Samuel 1 with CommentaryAll 1 Samuel ChaptersComplete 1 Samuel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes