The expression mother of seven
proverbially describes the fulfilled or complete mother (see 1 Samuel 2:5; Ruth 4:15).1 To be a mother of seven, especially seven sons, would have been seen as a great blessing. But instead, this blessing has been replaced by a curse as mothers lose their sons. Her sun went down while it was yet day.
This probably refers to the fact that her sons were killed when most of their lives still lay ahead of them. This left the mother feeble
and she fainted away.
A mother without sons did not have great prospects.2 Mothers were left shamed and disgraced.
A mother loses all standing in the community because she has lost her family.3
9 She who bore seven has grown feeble; she has fainted away; her sun went down while it was yet day; she has been shamed and disgraced. And the rest of them I will give to the sword before their enemies,declares the LORD.”