1 Samuel 1:3

3. Went up… to worship… in Shiloh Shiloh is situated thirteen miles north of Ramah. At this place the tabernacle was set up after the Israelites had subdued and driven out the inhabitants of the land, (Joshua 18:1,) and here the tribes assembled “to worship and to sacrifice,” according to the commandment of Deuteronomy 12:5-7; Deuteronomy 16:16. Compare also Judges 21:19. So it was the Jerusalem before Jerusalem.

Lord of hosts The commonly used abbreviation of the fuller form LORD God of hosts, (Psalms 89:8; Jeremiah 5:14,) which ought everywhere to be rendered Jehovah God of Hosts, or Jehovah of Hosts. This expression occurs here for the first time, not being found in the earlier books; neither is it found in the books of Job or Ezekiel, nor in the writings of Solomon. It designates Jehovah as Ruler of the whole universe, (Genesis 2:1; Psalms 33:6,) who knows the number of the stars, ( Psalms 147:4,) and guides them in their orbits, (Isaiah 40:26,) and whose army is composed of angels and saints in heaven and on earth. Genesis 32:2; Exodus 7:4; Deuteronomy 33:2. It is significant that this name first occurs at the beginning of those books which treat of the Monarchy of Israel, as if to teach: Though Israel become a kingdom, and have an earthly sovereign, yet by this name JEHOVAH OF HOSTS let them remember that the Most High has “an ever-lasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation; and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth.” Daniel 4:35.

Hophni and Phinehas,… priests of the Lord Eli was high priest, and held peculiar functions, (see on 1 Samuel 1:9;) but he was, probably, too old and infirm to attend to all the duties of his high office. These two sons were therefore associated with him, as the sons of Aaron were associated with their father, in the holy service.