1Sa 2:1-3 | 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 2:1-3

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.

No One Can Be Compared With the LORD

After having expressed her own joy at what she has found in the LORD, she continues to speak only of Him. She rises above her own victories and is, as it were, completely seized by Who He is.

The first feature she sings of is His holiness. Holiness is a special feature of the God of Israel. No idol claims it.

Apart from Him there is no God. Only He is the uncreated, eternal God. Everything that is outside of Him comes from Him. He is the origin of it. Nothing outside of Him has an existence apart from Him. “For by Him all things were created, [both] in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Col 1:16).

Apart from Him there is no support, no source of salvation. Every sure and steady help is only present in Him. He is the only rock.

The LORD Is Omniscient

The second feature is His omniscience (Psa 139:1-4). He sees not only the deeds, but also the thoughts and motives: “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Heb 4:13). He tests all words and deeds.

This is a consolation for Hannah and a warning for Peninnah to moderate her tone and pay attention to what she says. Over the head of Peninnah, Hannah speaks to the enemies of Israel and of God. She leaves the judgment to the LORD, Who will do perfect justice where there is still injustice.