“Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” —1 Samuel 1: 15 & 16, NIV
Her bitter tears became the bitterest she shed. Her sweat was the most heart-rending and profuse, her face broken, her eyes closed. Nobody noticed that her veil flew off and burned in the process, leaving her hair naked and exposed to unworthy eyes. It was a cry that burst open and forced the high priest to look at her pain. Yet he never understood her pain.
For him, she was a defiling drunk who —for not being an attractive woman— deserved to be burned to death! But she was too delicate and desperate to look drunken, much less feign drunkenness. Her mouth moved and he could slowly read the words, while she used whatever was left of her veil to wipe those tears that couldn't form a puddle under her face. How would a man like him comfort such a woman? Would he bring a piece of cloth from the Holiest Place? Would he send her to the altar of sacrifice, ask her what was wrong, and present an offering towards Him? No; this cannot happen again—she must be drunk!
"Woman", he said, "how long will you stay drunk? Stop drinking that wine and leave this place!"
"But, sir, I am not drunk", she quickly responded, wiping her tears with her hair. "I am pouring my heart to the Lord, and I still have so much more to say."
"Oh", he answered, slightly torn and ashamed.