Definition: And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard [it].

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 4:20. It's a really important and slightly mysterious moment in the story of Samuel’s wife, Hannah. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: Hannah was grieving the death of her husband, Saul. She was heartbroken and feeling incredibly lost. A group of women, seeing her distress, started to comfort her. They said something like, "Don't worry; you have a son!" But Hannah didn’t respond or acknowledge it. Let’s unpack the details: “About the time of her death…” - This tells us this is happening shortly after Saul’s death. “…the women that stood by her said unto her…” – These are women who had been with Hannah and were supporting her. They were there to comfort her. "...Fear not; for thou hast born a son.” - This is the crucial part. They told her, "You have a son!" It's a positive statement of hope and joy. "But she answered not, neither did she regard [it]” – This is where it gets interesting. Hannah didn’t respond to this. She didn’t acknowledge the words or express any emotion. She simply turned away. What does this tell us about Hannah? This is a really complex and debated part of the story. It suggests several things: She was overwhelmed by grief: Her sadness was so profound that she couldn't even process the news, let alone acknowledge it. She was perhaps anticipating something difficult: The silence could be interpreted as a sign that there might be challenges ahead – perhaps regarding her son’s future or her own life. A moment of intense emotional pain: It shows how deeply she was mourning and struggling with the loss of her husband. Why is this verse significant? This verse is a powerful example of Hannah's strength and resilience. It's one of the few moments where she seems to be completely lost in her sorrow, but it’s also a moment of profound hope – the hope of a new beginning with her son. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this story? Discuss the symbolism behind this verse (e.g., Hannah's grief)?