1Sa 2:1 | KingComments | STEP | After the prayer of Hannah as supplication in the previous chapter, we now hear a prayer of her as worship and prophecy. It is not so much about the little Samuel, but about Christ ( ). This is how the prayer must be for each of our children. It is not about their social prosperity, but whether Christ will be seen in them. As mentioned earlier, Hannah’s prayer resembles the hymn of praise of Mary ( ). Both Hannah and Mary are examples of a faithful remnant in their time. Both feel deeply the decayed condition of God’s people. Both understand that no man, but only God, can change this. Both are prophetic songs and a great encouragement at the beginning of a history characterized by dark clouds. It is like the bow of hope in the clouds of the impending judgment. The prayer can be subdivided into four parts: 1. . Hannah sings of the God of salvation as the faithful, omnipotent, omniscient God. She speaks of “our” God ( ). 2. . Hannah speaks of the salvation she experienced and the degradation of the opponent. 3. . The way in which salvation is experienced is that of death and resurrection. 4. . God leads everything according to His purpose, the battle between good and evil is ended forever. Christ rules over the recreated earth. The prayer of Hannah, in which she pours out the feelings of her heart after she has dedicated her son to the LORD, is a hymn of praise with a prophetic and Messianic character. It is a psalm as the ripe fruit of the Spirit of God. Hannah knows the destination of Israel to be a kingdom. She knows about the promises God has made to the fathers. She is filled with the desire for the fulfillment of the promises. In the spirit she sees the King Whom the LORD will give to His people and by Whom He will give His people the dominion over the earth. The great prophetic perspective of this prayer begins with personal expressions of a woman’s soul exercises. She speaks of “my heart”, “my horn”, “my mouth”. From this personal experience she goes during her hymn to the ends of the earth ( ). She prayed her first prayer in silence – only her lips were moving ( ) – to God Who also listens to what is said in secret. Now she opens her mouth wide to tell the wonderful things the LORD has done. She speaks from the abundance of her heart. Her heart rejoices not so much in the gift, Samuel, but in the LORD as the Giver. “My horn” indicates the power on which it rests as the precursor of the horn of the Anointed ( ). The first part of the verse (“hart”) and the third part (“mouth”) belong together. The mouth expresses what lives in the heart ( ). Also, the second part (“horn”) and the fourth part (“salvation”) belong together. The horn is a picture of strength. Her salvation lies in the strength of the LORD.

‏ 1 Samuel 2:1

Introduction

After the prayer of Hannah as supplication in the previous chapter, we now hear a prayer of her as worship and prophecy. It is not so much about the little Samuel, but about Christ (1Sam 2:10). This is how the prayer must be for each of our children. It is not about their social prosperity, but whether Christ will be seen in them.

As mentioned earlier, Hannah’s prayer resembles the hymn of praise of Mary (Lk 1:46-55). Both Hannah and Mary are examples of a faithful remnant in their time. Both feel deeply the decayed condition of God’s people. Both understand that no man, but only God, can change this. Both are prophetic songs and a great encouragement at the beginning of a history characterized by dark clouds. It is like the bow of hope in the clouds of the impending judgment.

The prayer can be subdivided into four parts:

1. 1Sam 2:1-3. Hannah sings of the God of salvation as the faithful, omnipotent, omniscient God. She speaks of “our” God (1Sam 2:2).

2. 1Sam 2:4-5. Hannah speaks of the salvation she experienced and the degradation of the opponent.

3. 1Sam 2:6-8. The way in which salvation is experienced is that of death and resurrection.

4. 1Sam 2:8b-10. God leads everything according to His purpose, the battle between good and evil is ended forever. Christ rules over the recreated earth.

The prayer of Hannah, in which she pours out the feelings of her heart after she has dedicated her son to the LORD, is a hymn of praise with a prophetic and Messianic character. It is a psalm as the ripe fruit of the Spirit of God. Hannah knows the destination of Israel to be a kingdom. She knows about the promises God has made to the fathers. She is filled with the desire for the fulfillment of the promises. In the spirit she sees the King Whom the LORD will give to His people and by Whom He will give His people the dominion over the earth.

Expressions of joy

The great prophetic perspective of this prayer begins with personal expressions of a woman’s soul exercises. She speaks of “my heart”, “my horn”, “my mouth”. From this personal experience she goes during her hymn to the ends of the earth (1Sam 2:10).

She prayed her first prayer in silence – only her lips were moving (1Sam 1:13) – to God Who also listens to what is said in secret. Now she opens her mouth wide to tell the wonderful things the LORD has done. She speaks from the abundance of her heart. Her heart rejoices not so much in the gift, Samuel, but in the LORD as the Giver. “My horn” indicates the power on which it rests as the precursor of the horn of the Anointed (1Sam 2:10).

The first part of the verse (“hart”) and the third part (“mouth”) belong together. The mouth expresses what lives in the heart (Rom 10:10). Also, the second part (“horn”) and the fourth part (“salvation”) belong together. The horn is a picture of strength. Her salvation lies in the strength of the LORD.