Midras 1 Samuel 1:3: Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition), Kohelet Rabbah & Aggadat Bereshit

R. Samuel b. Nachmeini in the name of R. Jonathan, said: "Whoever says that the children of Eli sinned errs, because it it said (I Sam. 1, 3.) And at that place were the two sons of Eli, Chaphni and Phineas, priests of the Lord. He agrees with Rab who said that Phineas did not sin. [And since the Scriptures put both Phineas and Chaphni on an equal footing, we understand through this that] just as Phineas did not commit any sin, so also Chaphni did not commit a sin. But what does the passage (I. Sam. 2, 22) signify? Because they prolonged the work of the confinement offerings, the Scriptures censure them in this way. This is the substance of the text. Rab said: "Phineas did not sin, for it is said (Ib. 14, 3.) And Achiyah, the son of Achitub, the brother of Echabod, the son of Phineas, the son of Eli, the priest of the Lord. etc. Is it possible that the Scriptures would describe minutely the genealogy of a man who committed a sin? Behold it is said (Mal. 2, 12.) The Lord will cut off unto the man that doth this, sons and grandsons, out of the tents of Jacob, and him that bringeth near an offering unto the Lord of Hosts [which was thus explained]: 'If he is an Israelite, he shall have none who would be master among the sages, nor a scholar among the disciples; and if he is a priest, he shall have no son, who will bring near an offering.' " Is it not to be concluded from this that Phineas did not sin? But behold, it is written (I Sam. 2, 22.) How they lay with the women. Yish Kaban (he lay) is written (referring to one). But is it not written (Ib. b.) Nay, my son, for it is no good report that I have? R. Nachman b. Isaac said: "Benni (my son) is written." Is it not written, Ye make the Lord's people to transgress? R. Huna the son of R. Joshua said: Maabiram (you make the people transgress) is written. But is it not written (Ib.) Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial? Because Phineas should have protested against Chaphni's action, and he did not do so. Scripture considers it as though committed by himself (Fol. 56a).

“For let him remember the days of his life that they are not many, as it is God who responds with the joy of his heart” (Ecclesiastes 5:19).
“For let him remember the days of his life that they are not many” – this is the generation of Eli.⁷⁶This is a reference to the prophecy that Eli’s descendants would not have long lives, due to the behavior of Eli and the sins of his sons. See I Samuel 2:27–36 (Etz Yosef). “As it is God who responds with the joy of his heart” – this is Elkana, who would guide Israel and take them up to Jerusalem⁷⁷This is a textual error, and should read Shilo instead of Jerusalem (Maharzu). each and every year on a different route. That is why the verse lauds him: “This man ascended from his city from year to year” (I Samuel 1:3).

[2] Another interpretation: "For the Lord had remembered Hannah." (1 Samuel 1:19) May the Lord remember me with favor for You, my God, and deliver me. (Psalms 106:4) Happy is the man who finds a time of favor, as David said, "But I, through the abundance of Your steadfast love, will enter Your house, I will bow down toward Your holy temple in awe of You." (Psalms 5:8) David said to God, "Master of the Universe, whenever I pray before You, make it a time of favor." When Hannah went up with all Israel to the pilgrimage festival, as it is written, "And that man used to go up from his town every year to worship and to offer sacrifices to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh" (1 Samuel 1:3), this was Pesach (Passover), as it is written, "And you shall observe this practice at its set time, year by year." (Exodus 13:10) When Hannah saw all Israel, she said before the Holy One, Blessed be He, "Master of the universe, here is a time that pleases You. Remember me with favor, for You, my God, have given me this opportunity to stand before You [and to bring my offerings]." There were two things she said, and the Holy One, Blessed be He, granted both of them. She said, "Remember me," and it is written, "And the Lord remembered her." (1 Samuel 1:19) She said, "Deliver me," and it is written, "For the Lord had remembered Hannah and she conceived." (1 Samuel 1:19)