1 Samuel 2:1-10

Song of Hannah. This poem is quite unsuited to Hannah's circumstances; its theology is too advanced for primitive times (1 Samuel 2:2; 1 Samuel 2:6; 1 Samuel 2:8), and the reference to the king (1 Samuel 2:10) either implies an actual king and indicates the period of the Monarchy, or is Messianic, i.e. connected with the hope of an ideal king, and implies a post-exilic date. The natural occasion of the poem would be a victory which delivered Israel from distress and danger. The ascription to Hannah is due to 1 Samuel 2:5 b, the barren hath borne seven.

The Song praises Yahweh for help given to Israel, whose horn is exalted God has given him power and glory; his mouth is enlarged he can speak big words against his enemies (cf. Psalms 35:21). Yahweh is unique, a firm strong refuge, the Rock of Israel. His impartial justice humiliates the proud and exalts the lowly; He protects His own people and punishes the wicked.

1 Samuel 2:3. by him actions are weighed: better than RVm though actions be not weighed; the difference in the Heb. is very slight.

1 Samuel 2:5. have ceased: i.e. to hunger; better, by a slight alteration of the text, have ceased to labour.

1 Samuel 2:6. maketh alive: perhaps literally referring to resuscitation or resurrection; if so, an indication of late post-exilic date (Isaiah 26:19 *, Daniel 12:2 *); it may, however, mean keepeth alive. grave: rather Sheol (see Isaiah 14:9 *).

1 Samuel 2:10. anointed: Mâ shiaḥ?, Messiah, originally a title of the kings of Israel.

1 Samuel 2:11. Originally the immediate sequel of 1 Samuel 1:28. Read instead of the last sentence of 1 Samuel 1:28 and the first of 1 Samuel 2:11, And she left him there before Yahweh and went to Ramah to her house, partly on the authority of LXX.