relationship with her husband was not good enough to fill her emotional needs. First Samuel 1 goes further, however, and actually suggests that, from a man’s point of view, a woman with a happy marriage need not be distraught about not having any children. Hannah’s situation made her very unhappy, especially at the time of the annual sacrifice, when she would cry and would not eat. Elkanah’s reaction to Hannah’s unhappiness is worth noting: “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your
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