1 Samuel 2:1-11

Hannah's Song of Solomon 2:1-11

And Hannah prayed, and said,

My heart rejoiceth in the Lord,
mine horn is exalted in the Lord;
my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies:

because I rejoice in thy salvation.

2

There is none holy as the Lord:

for there is none besides thee:

neither is there any rock like our God

3

Talk no more so exceeding proudly;

let not arrogancy come out of your mouth:

for the Lord is a God of knowledge,

and by him actions are weighed.

4

The bows of the mighty men are broken,

and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

5

They that were full have hired out themselves for bread;

and they that were hungry ceased:

so that the barren hath borne seven;
and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

6

The Lord killeth, and maketh alive:

he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

7

The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich:

he bringeth low, and lifeth up.

8

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust,

and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill,

to set them among princes,

and to make them inherit the throne of glory:
for the pillars of the earth are the Lord'S,

and he hath set the world upon them.

9

He will keep the feet of his saints,

and the wicked shall be silent in darkness;
for by strength shall no man prevail.

10

The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;

out of heaven shall he thunder upon them:
the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth;
and he shall give strength unto his king,
and exalt the horn of his anointed.

11 And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the Lord before Eli the priest.

1.

What was Hannah's born? 1 Samuel 2:1

Perhaps the figure is taken from the life of animals. An animal with a large horn is thought to be powerful. It is also a mark of full development and beauty. Deer, for example, are prized for their antlers. Other animals use their horns as they fight with others. If this is the meaning Hannah had in mind, she is saying that God has given her a mark of strength and excellence.

2.

Why did Hannah refer to God as a rock? 1 Samuel 2:2

Moses spoke of the Lord as the Rock of his salvation (Deuteronomy 32:15 b). Isaiah chided Israel saying that they had ... forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength (1 Samuel 17:10). The steadfastness of God is like a rock to a soul tossed to and fro in the stormy seas of life. This conception of God has been constant among those who have feared Him in all ages. Moses also challenged the heathen nations saying, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted (Deuteronomy 32:37). The Israelites knew that the Lord was not just one god among many. He was the one true and living God. Hannah thus could say: ... neither is there any rock like our God (1 Samuel 2:2 b). There was no god like Jehovah, the God of Israel. There was no anchor for the soul like the Lord.

3.

Whom was Hannah warning against arrogancy? 1 Samuel 2:3

No doubt Hannah was remembering Peninnah's arrogant speeches against her personally, but her warning is always meaningful and timely for God's people. Too much proud talk is found among the servants of God as they take credit for what is achieved in Christian work. Too much arrogancy is found among those whom God has blessed abundantly. All should remember that they will eventually be judged by God, and God knows their weaknesses.

4.

What is the meaning of the bows of the mighty men being broken? 1 Samuel 2:4

Hannah is simply suggesting that the first are now last. The last are therefore first. Underneath all this is her great joy over being blessed of God. Before she had been reviled by Peninnah because she had no children. Peninnah thought that she was one of the mighty men. Hannah would consider herself as being among them that stumbled. Now Hannah was girded with strength.

5.

Did Hannah have seven children? 1 Samuel 2:5

Personal references seem to abound through this poem of thanksgiving, but we have little evidence of Hannah's having seven children. In verse twenty-one of this chapter, we learn that Hannah did have three sons and two daughters. This would make a total of five children and lead us to believe that she uses the number seven in this reference as an indication that she had received an abundant blessing. The number seven is sometimes used to indicate fullness or completeness. What Hannah says may not only be applied to her own abundant blessing, but it is always true for all those who fully trust the Lord.

6.

What powers did Hannah attribute to God? 1 Samuel 2:6-10

Hannah attributed all power to God. She regarded the Lord as the one who gave life in the first place. She also believed that life ended at His command. Life and death are in His hands. In addition, by His providences man is made poor or rich. He is exalted or abased. Those of low estate are often made to sit in high places. Even the very foundations of the earth were laid by God. The paths of God's saints are directed by God Himself, and no man prevails by his own strength alone. Eventually the voice of the wicked will be silenced, and the Lord's adversaries will be destroyed. Once again Hannah returns to the figure of the horn as she speaks of the way in which God will give strength to His chosen leaders. She attributed the following traits to God:

1.

The power over life and death

2.

The control of wealth

3.

Providences that either bring fame or disgrace

4.

The rendering of fair judgments on rich and poor alike

5.

The direction of the work of His people

6.

The eventual judgment of the wicked

7.

The creation of the physical universe

7.

In what way did Samuel minister before Eli? 1 Samuel 2:11

A lad like Samuel could perform many menial tasks about the Tabernacle. The priests and their Levites had their assigned duties, but others might also be of service. Mention is made in this same chapter of women who assembled at the door of the Tabernacle (1 Samuel 2:22; cf. Exodus 38:8). A part of the ministry might also have been in worship; such as a part of the way God's people minister unto the Lord. Since mention is made of the lamp of God (1 Samuel 3:3), we are left to wonder if this might not have been a part of Samuel's service. He may have tended this lamp, lighting it when it was to be lit; and extinguishing it when it was to be put out.