1 Samuel 2:2-12

2 "No one is as holy as ADONAI, because there is none to compare with you, no rock like our God.

3 "Stop your proud boasting! Don't let arrogance come from your mouth! For ADONAI is a God of knowledge, and he appraises actions.

4 The bows of the mighty are broken, while the feeble are armed with strength.

5 The well-fed hire themselves for bread, while those who were hungry hunger no more. The barren woman has borne seven, while the mother of many wastes away.

6 "ADONAI kills and makes alive; he brings down to the grave, and he brings up.

7 ADONAI makes poor, and he makes rich; he humbles, and he exalts.

8 He raises the poor from the dust, lifts up the needy from the trash pile; he gives them a place with leaders and assigns them seats of honor. "For the earth's pillars belong to ADONAI; on them he has placed the world.

9 He will guard the steps of his faithful, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. For it is not by strength that a person prevails -

10 those who fight ADONAI will be shattered; he will thunder against them in heaven ADONAI will judge the ends of the earth. He will strengthen his king and enhance the power of his anointed."

11 Elkanah went home to Ramah, while the child began ministering to ADONAI under the direction of 'Eli the cohen.

12 'Eli's sons were scoundrels who had no regard for ADONAI.

1 Samuel 2:2-12 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.