1Sa 2:1-10 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Sam 2:1-10: 2:1-10 Hannah’s Prayer of Praise celebrates Samuel’s dedication to the Lord’s service by rejoicing in God’s uniqueness (2:1-2 ), his ability to reverse fortunes (2:3-9 ), and his ability to strengthen his chosen king (2:10 ). Like Mary’s Song of Praise (Luke 1:46-55 ), Hannah’s prayer emphasizes God bringing down the rich and powerful and exalting the poor and the downtrodden (1 Sam 2:7-8 ; Luke 1:52-53 ). David’s prayer in 2 Sam 22 is another beautiful proclamation of God’s saving power as it relates to his chosen king (1 Sam 2:10 ). The rich, unrighteous rulers of the land (Eli, Saul, Herod) will be brought down, while the leaders who fulfill God’s purposes (Samuel, David, Jesus) will be exalted. 2:1 made me strong: Literally has exalted my horn ; cp. 2:10 . The horn of a powerful animal, such as an ox or bull, was a symbol of strength that was held high in triumph after defeating an enemy (cp. 1 Kgs 22:11 ).

Summary for 1Sam 2:1-10: 2:1-10 ^a Hannah’s Prayer of Praise celebrates Samuel’s dedication to the Lord’s service by rejoicing in God’s uniqueness (2:1-2 ^b), his ability to reverse fortunes (2:3-9 ^c), and his ability to strengthen his chosen king (2:10 ^d). Like Mary’s Song of Praise (Luke 1:46-55 ^e), Hannah’s prayer emphasizes God bringing down the rich and powerful and exalting the poor and the downtrodden (1 Sam 2:7-8 ^f; Luke 1:52-53 ^g). David’s prayer in 2 Sam 22 ^h is another beautiful proclamation of God’s saving power as it relates to his chosen king (1 Sam 2:10 ⁱ). The rich, unrighteous rulers of the land (Eli, Saul, Herod) will be brought down, while the leaders who fulfill God’s purposes (Samuel, David, Jesus) will be exalted. 2:1 ^j made me strong: Literally has exalted my horn; cp. 2:10 ^k. The horn of a powerful animal, such as an ox or bull, was a symbol of strength that was held high in triumph after defeating an enemy (cp. 1 Kgs 22:11 ^l).
2:2 ^m no one besides you: David responded similarly after receiving God’s promises concerning his kingship (2 Sam 7:22 ⁿ).

• Rock (cp. 2 Sam 22:2-3 ^o, 32 ^p): God provides stability and security for those who trust in him.
2:3 ^q proud and haughty: Peninnah typified this attitude (see 1:6-7 ^r). Hannah, by contrast, was humbly dependent on God.
Summary for 1Sam 2:4-8: 2:4-8 ^s Hannah celebrated God’s sovereign ability to radically reverse human circumstances.
2:5 ^t those who were starving are now full: Cp. 1:7 ^u, 18 ^v.

• The phrase seven children poetically means that the childless woman would be blessed with a house full of children (cp. 2:21 ^w).
Summary for 1Sam 2:7-8: 2:7-8 ^x Cp. Ps 113:7-9 ^y.
2:8 ^z all the earth is the Lord’s: God, the creator and ruler of all things, is able to change circumstances (2:4-8 ^aa), protect the faithful (2:9 ^ab), judge the wicked, and empower his anointed king (2:10 ^ac).
2:10 ^ad The king was to fulfill the descriptions of 2:4-9 ^ae by using his God-given power to care for the oppressed, the hungry, and the barren (see Ps 72:1-4 ^af, 12-14 ^ag; Prov 31:8-9 ^ah).

• he increases the strength: See study note on 1 Sam 2:1.

• anointed one (Hebrew mashiakh): This climax to Hannah’s prayer is prophetic both of Israel’s anointed kings and of God’s supreme Anointed King—the Messiah, Jesus Christ (see 12:3-5 ^ai; 24:6 ^aj, 10 ^ak; Ps 132:17 ^al; Dan 9:25-26 ^am).