1:15,16
Hannah wasn’t drunk and explained to Eli what she was actually doing. When someone does misjudge what we are doing we may be tempted to respond harshly, but it is better to quietly explain what we are actually doing. Hannah explained that she was deeply troubled, and had not been drinking wine or beer. She was “pouring out her soul to the Lord”. This is the best thing that we can do when we are deeply troubled, it is what we should do. So she implored Eli not to consider to be a wicked woman. She had been praying out of her “great anguish and grief”.
1:17,18
Eli doesn’t apologise, or at least no apology is recorded here, which isn’t necessarily the same thing. But he does tell her to “go in peace”, and asks the Lord to grant what she has asked of Him. Hannah is now content. She went on her way, ate something and was no longer downcast. I don't think any supposed lack of apology (which is definitely not proven) is of any significance. Hannah is now at peace with God and with Eli.
1:19,20
The whole family arose early the next morning and worshipped the Lord. They then returned home. Elkanah made love to his wife, Hannah, and she conceived. It is made clear that it is the Lord who enabled her to have a child. As with most things, the way things work is that we do our part, but the success is ultimately dependent upon the Lord. She gave birth to a son and she named him Samuel. It is perhaps significant that it is Hannah who names the boy. “Samuel” sounds like the Hebrew for “heard”.
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