1 Samuel 2:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.

NIV: Then Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.

NASB: Then Hannah prayed and said, 'My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord, My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation.

CSB: Hannah prayed: My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is lifted up by the Lord. My mouth boasts over my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.

NLT: Then Hannah prayed: 'My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: And Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation.

The Lord has given to Hannah a great gift. He heard her request for a son and honored her vow to give that son back to the Lord for a lifetime of service in the tabernacle (1 Samuel 1:11). After declaring that she was entrusting Samuel to the Lord for his entire life (1 Samuel 1:28), Hannah offers the prayer that begins this chapter, directing it to God.

In truth, Hannah's prayer is a song, a poem, about the goodness and greatness of the Lord. Did she write it ahead of time or did it come upon her in the moment? We don't know. Hers will become one of the most significant songs of praise to the Lord in all of Scripture, however, as well as having influence on other songs of praise. It was likely an influence on Psalm 113 as well as Mary's song in Luke 1:46–55, which is often called the Magnificat.

The themes in Hannah's song serve as an introduction to 1 and 2 Samuel. It officially opens the books, in a sense, while David's songs bring the set to a close in 2 Samuel 22 and 23.

Hannah begins the song on a personal level. She says that her own heart exults in the Lord and that her "horn" is exalted in Him. The horn, used by animals for defense and in battle as a weapon, was a symbol of strength and dignity in this era. Hannah sees that in giving to her the desire of her heart, the Lord has made her strong.

She adds that her mouth derides her enemies. Some commentators see this line as a jab at Peninnah, her husband's second wife who had tormented Hannah about her infertility (1 Samuel 1:2, 6). Given the context of the rest of the song, though, most commentators believe Hannah to be speaking of the enemies of Israel as her own enemies.

In either case, Hannah rejoices in the salvation of the Lord, both for herself personally and for God's victory over those who would harm Israel.

First Samuel 2:1–11 contains Hannah's poetic prayer of praise to the Lord in response to His gift of a son, Samuel. She offers the prayer after delivering Samuel into Eli's care at the sanctuary in keeping with her vow to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:11, 24–28). The main emphasis of the prayer is that God is holy and sovereign. He can reverse life situations, bringing the rich and powerful down and lifting the poor, hungry, and barren. The one who controls life and death guards those faithful to Him.

After delivering Samuel to the Lord, Hannah offers a poetic prayer of praise. The sons of Eli the priest are evil, depraved men who abuse their power as priests. They coerce worshippers to give them additional meat. They sleep with women who serve at the sanctuary. In contrast, Samuel grows in favor with God and others as he grows up physically. Hannah and Elkanah continue to go to Shiloh yearly; they also have more children. Eli rebukes his sons, but they don't repent. The Lord tells Eli that all his descendants will die young and his two rebellious sons will die on the same day. The Lord will raise up a faithful priest to do His will.

The prior chapter explained how Hannah cried out to God for a son, and that her request was granted. First Samuel 2 begins with Hannah's praise to the Lord in response. Samuel remains in Shiloh where he ministers and matures. By contrast, Eli's sons are wicked and abuse their power as priests. A prophet reveals that God will cause all Eli's descendants to die young and his two sons to die on the same day. The Lord will raise up a faithful priest from another part of the family line. This provides background for Samuel's call from God in chapter 3.

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.