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misunderstood at the temple

1 Samuel 1:9-18 (JDV)

1 Samuel 1:9 Then Hannah got up after they ate and drank at Shiloh. The priest Eli was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of Yahveh’s temple.
1 Samuel 1:10 Deeply bitter, Hannah prayed to Yahveh and wept with many tears.
1 Samuel 1:11 Making a vow, she pleaded, “Yahveh of Armies, if you will take notice of your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give your servant a son, I will give him to Yahveh all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut.”
1 Samuel 1:12 While she continued praying in Yahveh’s presence, Eli watched her mouth.
1 Samuel 1:13 Hannah was praying silently, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli thought she was drunk
1 Samuel 1:14 and said to her, “How long are you going to be drunk? Get rid of your wine!”
1 Samuel 1:15 “No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman with hard breath. I haven’t had any wine or beer; I’ve been pouring out my throat before Yahveh.
1 Samuel 1:16 Don’t think of me as a wicked woman; I’ve been praying from the depth of my anguish and resentment.”
1 Samuel 1:17 Eli responded, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the request you’ve made of him.”
1 Samuel 1:18 “May your servant find favor in your eyes,” she replied. Then Hannah went on her way; she ate and no longer looked despondent.

misunderstood at the temple

It didn’t seem like things were going to go well with Hannah at the temple. Even the priest misunderstood her praying, assuming that she was drunk. But instead of running away in tears, she stood up for the truth. She left the temple that day with new courage and resolve. She knew she had finally been heard.

May we have the courage to keep praying until we know an answer has come.