1 Samuel 2:2-12

2 "There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no God but you; there is no Rock like our God.

3 "Don't continue bragging, don't speak proud words. The Lord is a God who knows everything, and he judges what people do.

4 "The bows of warriors break, but weak people become strong.

5 Those who once had plenty of food now must work for food, but people who were hungry are hungry no more. The woman who could not have children now has seven, but the woman who had many children now is sad.

6 "The Lord sends death, and he brings to life. He sends people to the grave, and he raises them to life again.

7 The Lord makes some people poor, and others he makes rich. He makes some people humble, and others he makes great.

8 The Lord raises the poor up from the dust, and he lifts the needy from the ashes. He lets the poor sit with princes and receive a throne of honor. "The foundations of the earth belong to the Lord, and the Lord set the world upon them.

9 He protects those who are loyal to him, but evil people will be silenced in darkness. Power is not the key to success.

10 The Lord destroys his enemies; he will thunder in heaven against them. The Lord will judge all the earth. He will give power to his king and make his appointed king strong."

11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy continued to serve the Lord under Eli the priest.

12 Now Eli's sons were evil men; they did not care about the Lord.

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.