I Samuel 2
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And Hannah prayed, and said - The Chaldee very properly says, And Hannah prayed in the spirit of prophecy; for indeed the whole of this prayer, or as it may be properly called oracular declaration, is a piece of regular prophecy, every part of it having respect to the future, and perhaps not a little - of it declaratory oil the Messiah's kingdom. Dr. Hales has some very good observations on this prophetic song. "This admirable hymn excels in simplicity of composition, closeness of connection, and uniformity of sentiment; breathing the pious effusions of a devout mind, deeply impressed with a conviction of God's mercies to herself in particular, and of his providential government of the world in general; exalting the poor in spirit or the humble-minded, and abasing the rich and the arrogant; rewarding the righteous, and punishing the wicked. Hannah was also a prophetess of the first class, besides predicting her own fruitfulness, Sa1 2:5, (for she bore six children in all, Sa1 2:21), she foretold not only the more immediate judgments of God upon the Philistines during her son's administration, Sa1 2:10, but his remoter judgments 'upon the ends of the earth,' Sa1 2:10, in the true spirit of the prophecies of Jacob, Balaam, and Moses. Like them, she describes the promised Savior of the world as a King, before there was any king in Israel; and she first applied to him the remarkable epithet Messiah in Hebrew, Christ in Greek, and Anointed in English, which was adopted by David, Nathan, Ethan, Isaiah, Daniel, and the succeeding prophets of the Old Testament; and by the apostles and inspired writers of the New. And the allusion thereto by Zacharias, the father of the Baptist, in his hymn, Luk 1:69, where he calls Christ a 'horn of salvation,' and the beautiful imitation of it…
Open source ↗HANNAH'S SONG IN THANKFULNESS TO GOD. (Sa1 2:1-11) Hannah prayed, and said--Praise and prayer are inseparably conjoined in Scripture (Col 4:2; Ti1 2:1). This beautiful song was her tribute of thanks for the divine goodness in answering her petition. mine horn is exalted in the Lord--Allusion is here made to a peculiarity in the dress of Eastern women about Lebanon, which seems to have obtained anciently among the Israelite women, that of wearing a tin or silver horn on the forehead, on which their veil is suspended. Wives, who have no children, wear it projecting in an oblique direction, while those who become mothers forthwith raise it a few inches higher, inclining towards the perpendicular, and by this slight but observable change in their headdress, make known, wherever they go, the maternal character which they now bear.
Open source ↗And Hannah prayed and said,.... She had prayed before, but that was mental, this vocal; she had prayed and was answered, and had what she prayed for, and now she gives thanks for it; and thanksgiving is one kind of prayer, or a part of it; see Ti1 2:1, wherefore though what follows is a song, it was expressed in prayer; and therefore it is said she prayed, and that by a spirit of prophecy, as the Targum; hence she is by the Jews (h) reckoned one of the seven prophetesses; and indeed in this song she not only relates the gracious experiences of divine goodness she had been favoured with, and celebrates the divine perfections, and treats of the dealings of God with men, both in a way of providence and grace; but prophesies of things that should be done hereafter in Israel, and particularly of the Messiah and of his kingdom. There is a great likeness in this song to the song of the Virgin Mary; compare Sa1 2:1 with Luk 1:46 and Sa1 2:2 with Luk 1:49 and Sa1 2:4 with Luk 1:51, my heart rejoiceth in the Lord: not in her son the Lord had given her, but in the goodness and kindness of the Lord in bestowing him on her, as an answer of prayer; which showed great condescension to her, the notice he took of her, the love he had to her, and his well pleasedness in her, and his acceptance of her prayer through Christ; she rejoiced not in her husband, nor in the wealth and riches they were possessed of, nor in any creature enjoyments, but in the Lord, the giver of all; nor in her religious services and sacrifices, but in the Lord Christ, through whom her duties were acceptable to God, and who was the antitype of the sacrifices offered; and it is in the person, offices, and grace of Christ, that we should alone rejoice: see Phi 4:4 this joy of Hannah's was not worldly, but spiritual;…
Open source ↗Hannah's song of praise. - The prayer in which Hannah poured out the feelings of her heart, after the dedication of her son to the Lord, is a song of praise of a prophetic and Messianic character. After giving utterance in the introduction to the rejoicing and exulting of her soul at the salvation that had reached her (Sa1 2:1), she praises the Lord as the only holy One, the only rock of the righteous, who rules on earth with omniscience and righteousness, brings down the proud and lofty, kills and makes alive, maketh poor and maketh rich (Sa1 2:2-8). She then closes with the confident assurance that He will keep His saints, and cast down the rebellious, and will judge the ends of the earth, and exalt the power of His king (Sa1 2:9, Sa1 2:10). This psalm is the mature fruit of the Spirit of God. The pious woman, who had gone with all the earnest longings of a mother's heart to pray to the Lord God of Israel for a son, that she might consecrate him to the lifelong service of the Lord, "discerned in her own individual experience the general laws of the divine economy, and its signification in relation to the whole history of the kingdom of God" (Auberlen, p. 564). The experience which she, bowed down and oppressed as she was, had had of the gracious government of the omniscient and holy covenant God, was a pledge to her of the gracious way in which the nation itself was led by God, and a sign by which she discerned how God not only delivered at all times the poor and wretched who trusted in Him out of their poverty and distress, and set them up, but would also lift up and glorify His whole nation, which was at that time so deeply bowed down and oppressed by its foes. Acquainted as she was with the destination of Israel to be a kingdom, from the promises which God had give…
Open source ↗We have here Hannah's thanksgiving, dictated, not only by the spirit of prayer, but by the spirit of prophecy. Her petition for the mercy she desired we had before (Sa1 1:11), and here we have her return of praise; in both out of the abundance of a heart deeply affected (in the former with her own wants, and in the latter with God's goodness) her mouth spoke. Observe in general, 1. When she had received mercy from God she owned it, with thankfulness to his praise. Not like the nine lepers, Luk 17:17. Praise is our rent, our tribute. We are unjust if we do not pay it. 2. The mercy she had received was an answer to prayer, and therefore she thought herself especially obliged to give thanks for it. What we win by prayer we may wear with comfort, and must wear with praise. 3. Her thanksgiving is here called a prayer: Hannah prayed; for thanksgiving is an essential part of prayer. In every address to God we must express a grateful regard to him as our benefactor. Nay, and thanksgiving for mercies received shall be accepted as a petition for further mercy. 4. From this particular mercy which she had received from God she takes occasion, with an elevated and enlarged heart, to speak glorious things of God and of his government of the world for the good of his church. Whatever at any time gives rise to our praises in this manner they should be raised. 5. Her prayer was mental. Her voice was not heard; but in her thanksgiving she spoke, that all might hear her. She made her supplication with groanings that could not be uttered, but now her lips were opened to show forth God's praise. 6. This thanksgiving is here left upon record for the encouragement of those of the weaker sex to attend the throne of grace. God will regard their prayers and praises. The virgin Mary's song has gr…
Open source ↗2:1-10 Hannah’s Prayer of Praise celebrates Samuel’s dedication to the Lord’s service by rejoicing in God’s uniqueness (2:1-2), his ability to reverse fortunes (2:3-9), and his ability to strengthen his chosen king (2:10). Like Mary’s Song of Praise (Luke 1:46-55), Hannah’s prayer emphasizes God bringing down the rich and powerful and exalting the poor and the downtrodden (1 Sam 2:7-8; Luke 1:52-53). David’s prayer in 2 Sam 22 is another beautiful proclamation of God’s saving power as it relates to his chosen king (1 Sam 2:10). The rich, unrighteous rulers of the land (Eli, Saul, Herod) will be brought down, while the leaders who fulfill God’s purposes (Samuel, David, Jesus) will be exalted. 2:1 made me strong: Literally has exalted my horn; cp. 2:10. The horn of a powerful animal, such as an ox or bull, was a symbol of strength that was held high in triumph after defeating an enemy (cp. 1 Kgs 22:11).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
חַנָּה (Channâh, H2584) — Channah, an Israelitess פָּלַל (pâlal, H6419) — to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… עָלַץ (ʻâlats, H5970) — to jump for joy, i.e. exult יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קֶרֶן (qeren, H7161) — a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's… רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… רָחַב (râchab, H7337) — to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative) אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, H3444) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
Open source ↗קָדוֹשׁ (qâdôwsh, H6918) — sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בִּלְתִּי (biltîy, H1115) — properly, a failure of, i.e. (used only as a negative particle, usually with a… צוּר (tsûwr, H6697) — properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder;… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) גָּבֹהַּ (gâbôahh, H1364) — elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant עָתָק (ʻâthâq, H6277) — impudent יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) דֵּעָה (dêʻâh, H1844) — knowledge עֲלִילָה (ʻălîylâh, H5949) — an exploit (of God), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an… תָּכַן (tâkan, H8505) — to balance, i.e. measure out (by weight or dimension); figuratively, arrange, equalize,…
Open source ↗קֶשֶׁת (qesheth, H7198) — a bow, forshooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant חַת (chath, H2844) — concretely, crushed; also afraid; abstractly, terror כָּשַׁל (kâshal, H3782) — to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication,… אָזַר (ʼâzar, H247) — to belt חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,…
Open source ↗שָׂבֵעַ (sâbêaʻ, H7649) — satiated (in a pleasant or disagreeable sense) שָׂכַר (sâkar, H7936) — to hire לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) רָעֵב (râʻêb, H7457) — hungry (more or less intensely) חָדַל (châdal, H2308) — properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle עָקָר (ʻâqâr, H6135) — sterile (as if extirpated in the generative organs) יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָמַל (ʼâmal, H535) — to droop; by implication to be sick, to mourn
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… שְׁאוֹל (shᵉʼôwl, H7585) — Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… עָשַׁר (ʻâshar, H6238) — properly, to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich שָׁפֵל (shâphêl, H8213) — to depress or sink (expectation figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive) אַף (ʼaph, H637) — meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) דַּל (dal, H1800) — properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin עָפָר (ʻâphâr, H6083) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) אֶבְיוֹן (ʼebyôwn, H34) — destitute אַשְׁפֹּת (ʼashpôth, H830) — a heap of rubbish or filth יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… נָדִיב (nâdîyb, H5081) — properly, voluntary, i.e. generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a… נָחַל (nâchal, H5157) — to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to… כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ, H3678) — properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied) כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness מָצוּק (mâtsûwq, H4690) — something narrow, i.e. a column or hilltop אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda חָסִיד (châçîyd, H2623) — properly, kind, i.e. (religiously) pious (a saint) רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person דָּמַם (dâmam, H1826) — to be dumb; by implication, to be astonished, to stop; also to perish חֹשֶׁךְ (chôshek, H2822) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death,… כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… גָּבַר (gâbar, H1396) — to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently
Open source ↗רִיב (rîyb, H7378) — properly, to toss, i.e. grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. hold a… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָתַת (châthath, H2865) — properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… רָעַם (râʻam, H7481) — to tumble, i.e. be violently agitated; specifically, to crash (of thunder); figuratively,… דִּין (dîyn, H1777) — a straight course, i.e. sail direct אֶפֶס (ʼepheç, H657) — cessation, i.e. an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עֹז (ʻôz, H5797) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) קֶרֶן (qeren, H7161) — a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's… מָשִׁיחַ (mâshîyach, H4899) — anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the…
Open source ↗אֶלְקָנָה (ʼElqânâh, H511) — Elkanah, the name of several Israelites יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) רָמָה (Râmâh, H7414) — Ramah, the name of four places in Palestine בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… הָיָה (hâyâh, H1961) — to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or… שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… עֵלִי (ʻÊlîy, H5941) — Eli, an Israelite highpriest כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a…
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עֵלִי (ʻÊlîy, H5941) — Eli, an Israelite highpriest בְּלִיַּעַל (bᵉlîyaʻal, H1100) — without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… בָּשַׁל (bâshal, H1310) — properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen מַזְלֵג (mazlêg, H4207) — a fork שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice שֵׁן (shên, H8127) — a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) כִּיּוֹר (kîyôwr, H3595) — properly, something round (as excavated or bored), i.e. a chafing-dish forcoals or a… דּוּד (dûwd, H1731) — a pot (for boiling); also (by resemblance of shape) a basket קַלַּחַת (qallachath, H7037) — a kettle פָּרוּר (pârûwr, H6517) — a skillet (as flat or deep) מַזְלֵג (mazlêg, H4207) — a fork עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שִׁילֹה (Shîylôh, H7887) — Shiloh, a place in Palestine יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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But I have trusted in Your loving devotion; my heart will rejoice in Your salvation.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
But You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; with fine oil I have been anointed.
For You are the glory of their strength, and by Your favor our horn is exalted.
that I may declare all Your praises— that within the gates of Daughter Zion I may rejoice in Your salvation.
May we shout for joy at your victory and raise a banner in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your petitions.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and exult in His salvation.
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.
And Miriam sang back to them: “Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.”