1 Samuel 2:1-10

1 And Hannah prayed, and said, ^[a] My heart exulteth in Jehovah, my horn is lifted up in ^[b] Jehovah; my mouth is opened wide over mine enemies; for I rejoice in thy salvation.

2 There is none holy as Jehovah, for there is none beside thee, neither is there any rock like our God.

3 Do not multiply your words of pride, let not vain-glory come out of your mouth; For Jehovah is a God of knowledge, ^[c] and by him actions are weighed.

4 The bow of the mighty is broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

5 They that were full have hired themselves out for bread; and the hungry are [so] no more: Even the barren beareth seven, and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

6 Jehovah killeth, and maketh alive; he bringeth down to Sheol, and bringeth up.

7 Jehovah maketh poor, and maketh rich, he bringeth low, also he lifteth up:

8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust; from the dung-hill he lifteth up the needy, To set [him] among nobles; and he maketh them inherit a throne of glory; For the pillars of the earth are Jehovah's, and he hath set the world upon them.

9 He keepeth the feet of his saints, but the wicked are silenced in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

10 They that strive with Jehovah shall be broken to pieces; in the heavens will he thunder upon them. Jehovah will judge the ends of the earth; and he will give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

1 Samuel 2:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 2

In this chapter the song of Hannah is recorded, 1Sa 2:1-10, and an account is given of the return of Elkanah and Hannah to their own home, and of the care she took yearly to provide a coat for Samuel, and of her being blessed with many other children, and of the growth and ministry of Samuel before the Lord, 1Sa 2:11,18-21,26, and of the wickedness of the sons of Eli, 1Sa 2:12-17, and of Eli's too gentle treatment of them when he reproved them for it, 1Sa 2:22-25 and of a sharp message sent him from the Lord on that account, threatening destruction to his house, of which the death of his two sons would be a sign, 1Sa 2:27-36.

Footnotes

• [a]. Vers. 1-10 are poetical in Hebrew.
• [b]. Or 'by.'
• [c]. The Hebrew is plural.
• [d]. See Gen. 37.35.
• [e]. Erets, 'land' or 'country.'
• [f]. Tebel, 'habitable earth:' see Prov. 8.31.
• [g]. Chasid, 'pious,' 'holy:' see Note c, Deut. 33.8; 2Chron. 6.42; Ps. 4.3.
• [h]. Or 'be powerful.'