1Sa 1:1
1:1 Now there was a certain man of {a} Ramathaimzophim, of mount
    Ephraim, and his name [was] Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the
    son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an
    Ephrathite:

 The Argument - As God had ordained in De 17:14, that when
    the Israelites entered the land of Canaan, he would appoint
    a king for them: so here in the first book of Samuel the
    state of the people under their first king Saul is declared.
    Not content with the order that God had temporarily
    appointed for the government of his Church, they demanded a
    king, so that they might be as other nations. As well they
    thought they would be better off, not because they could
    serve God better by it, but because they would be under the
    safeguard of him who represented Jesus Christ the true
    deliverer.  Therefore God gave them a tyrant and a hypocrite
    to rule over them, so that they might learn that a king is
    not sufficient to defend them, unless God by his power
    preserves and keeps them.  Therefore he punishes the
    ingratitude of his people, and sends them continual wars
    both at home and abroad. Also, because Saul, whom God had
    given to the honour of a king out of nothing, did not
    acknowledge God's mercy to him, but rather disobeyed the
    word of God and was not zealous of his glory, he was removed
    from his estate by God, and David the true figure of Messiah
    was placed in his stead. His patience, modesty, constancy,
    persecution by open enemies, feigned friends, and deceitful
    flatterers, is left to the Church and to every member of it,
    as a pattern and example of their state and calling.

    (a) There were two Ramatus, so that in this city in mount
        Ephraim were Zophim, that is, the learned men and
        prophets.

1Sa 1:3
1:3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and
    to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in {b} Shiloh.  And the
    two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the
    LORD, [were] there.

    (b) For the ark was there at that time.

1Sa 1:5
1:5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy {c} portion; for he loved
    Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.

    (c) Some read, a portion with a hearty cheer.

1Sa 1:8
1:8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest
    thou?  and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart
    grieved? [am] not I better to thee than ten {d} sons?

    (d) Let this comfort you, that I love you no less than if
        you had many children.

1Sa 1:9
1:9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after
    they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post
    of the {e} temple of the LORD.

    (e) That is of the house where the ark was.

1Sa 1:18
1:18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find {f} grace in thy
     sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her
     countenance was no more [sad].

     (f) That is, pray to the Lord for me.

1Sa 1:19
1:19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped
     before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to
     Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD {g}
     remembered her.

     (g) According to her petition.

1Sa 1:21
1:21 And the man {h} Elkanah, and all his house, went up to
     offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

     (h) This Elkanah was a Levite, 1Ch 6:27, and as some
         write once a year they were accustomed to appear before
         the Lord with their families.

1Sa 1:23
1:23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee
     good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD
     establish his {i} word. So the woman abode, and gave her
     son suck until she weaned him.

     (i) Because her prayer took effect, therefore it was called
         the Lord's promise.

1Sa 1:26
1:26 And she said, Oh my lord, [as] thy {k} soul liveth, my
     lord, I [am] the woman that stood by thee here, praying
     unto the LORD.

     (k) That is, most certainly.

1Sa 1:28
1:28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he
     liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he {l} worshipped
     the LORD there.

     (l) Meaning, Eli gave thanks to God for her.