Hannah answered, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Yahweh.
Another precious thing had come to this woman, and that was, she had learned faith. She had become proficient in believing promises. It is very beautiful to note how at one moment she was in bitterness, but as soon as Eli had said, “Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him,” “the woman went her way and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.” She had not yet obtained the blessing, but she was persuaded of the promise, and embraced it, after that Christly fashion which our Lord taught us when he said, “Believe that ye have the petitions which ye have asked, and ye shall have them,” she wiped her tears, and smoothed the wrinkles from her brow, knowing that she was heard. By faith she held a man-child in her arms, and presented it to the Lord. This is no small virtue to attain. When a sorrowful spirit has learned to believe God, to roll its burden upon him, and bravely to expect succor and help from him, it has learned by its losses how to make its best gains-by its griefs how to unfold its richest joys. Hannah is one of the honored band who through faith “received promises,” therefore, O you who are of a sorrowful spirit, there is no reason why you should not also be of a believing spirit, even as she was.
