Hannah offers a profound prayer of thanksgiving, exalting God's power to reverse fortunes and judge the earth. Concurrently, Eli's wicked sons, Hophni and Phinehas, abuse their priestly duties, causing people to despise the Lord's offerings. A man of God then prophesies severe judgment upon Eli's house for their iniquity, declaring their priestly line will be cut off, while Samuel continues to grow in favor with God and men.
¶ 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.
They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.
The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;
And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.
Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.
Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.
¶ And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?
And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?
Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.
And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.
And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.
And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.
Study Notes for 1 Samuel 2
Verse 1
The song is a powerful hymn of thanksgiving, immediately establishing major theological themes for the book. 'Mine horn is exalted' is a metaphor for strength, dignity, and victory.
Verse 2
This declaration emphasizes YHWH's absolute uniqueness and holiness (Qadosh). 'Rock' is a common biblical metaphor for God's steadfastness, reliability, and protection.
Verse 3
This addresses the proud antagonist (likely Peninnah, 1:6) but expands into a universal condemnation of human arrogance. God's omniscience ensures that all human actions are justly weighed.
Verse 4
This verse introduces the central theme of reversal: God overturns human power structures, humbling the mighty and strengthening the weak.
Verse 5
The ultimate reversal is seen in fertility: the barren woman (Hannah) is blessed, while the previously fertile woman (the proud or Peninnah) is desolate. 'Seven' often symbolizes fullness or perfection.
Verse 6
These verses emphasize God's absolute sovereignty over life and death, reinforcing the theme that all human existence depends entirely on divine will.
Verse 7
God's sovereignty extends to material status, demonstrating that human wealth and poverty are ultimately subject to divine ordering.
Verse 10
This verse moves beyond Hannah's personal situation to cosmic judgment. The reference to 'his king' and 'his anointed' (Hebrew: *mashiah*) is the first explicit use of this messianic term in Scripture, anticipating the monarchy.
Verse 11
The narrative shifts back to the action, contrasting the spiritual purity of Samuel’s service with the immediate corruption of the priesthood.
Verse 12
Sons of Belial means 'worthless ones' or 'scoundrels.' Their core failure was theological: 'they knew not the LORD,' indicating a fundamental lack of respect for God's covenant and authority.
Verse 13
The priests were already entitled to a portion of the sacrifice (Lev. 7:34). However, Hophni and Phinehas violated custom by demanding their portion before the sacrifice was properly offered.
Verse 15
According to Levitical law, the fat was to be burned first as God’s portion. By demanding raw flesh before this step, the priests treated the divine portion with contempt.
Verse 17
Their sin was particularly egregious because it caused the common people to 'abhor the offering,' thus undermining the entire system of worship and covenant relationship.
Verse 18
Samuel’s simple, faithful ministry is highlighted, standing in sharp contrast to the corruption at Shiloh. The linen ephod signifies his legitimate, albeit youthful, service in the Tabernacle.
Verse 21
This verse confirms the reversal promised in Hannah's song (V. 5). Samuel's continued growth 'before the LORD' emphasizes his spiritual path, unlike Eli's sons.
Verse 22
In addition to sacrilege, Eli's sons committed severe sexual immorality, defiling the Tabernacle entrance. This abuse of their holy office compounded their wickedness.
Verse 25
Eli’s question confirms the gravity of their sin: offenses against God cannot be easily reconciled by human mediation. The note that 'the LORD would slay them' indicates that divine judgment was already fixed due to their hardened hearts and refusal to repent.
Verse 26
This verse provides a final, positive contrast to the fate of Eli's sons (V. 25). Samuel’s spiritual and social favor marks him as God’s chosen successor.
Verse 27
The 'man of God' is an unnamed prophet, signifying that the judgment comes directly from YHWH, bypassing the corrupt priesthood and setting the stage for a new order.
Verse 29
God accuses Eli of 'honouring thy sons above me.' Eli’s passive failure to restrain his sons or remove them from office was a priestly dereliction, prioritizing family welfare over God's honor.
Verse 30
This introduces the principle of conditional covenant: the previous promise of eternal priesthood (to Aaron’s line) is revoked because Eli’s house despised God. Obedience outweighs lineage.
Verse 31
To 'cut off thine arm' is a metaphor for stripping away strength, authority, and prosperity. This judgment ensures the end of Eli's political and religious influence.
Verse 32
The 'enemy in my habitation' likely refers to the Philistine capture of the Ark and the resulting destruction of Shiloh, which would occur during Eli’s lifetime (1 Samuel 4).
Verse 34
This provides a specific, immediate sign validating the prophecy: the simultaneous death of Hophni and Phinehas, which is fulfilled in the battle against the Philistines (4:11).
Verse 35
This promise looks forward to a 'faithful priest'—a reference generally understood to be fulfilled by Zadok (who replaced Abiathar, Eli's descendant, under Solomon), and ultimately pointing toward Christ’s perfect priesthood.
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The Calling of Disciples
19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
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