June 16, 2025
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Reading along with us in 1 Samuel and Mark? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Samuel 2 (NIV)
Hannah’s Prayer
1 Then Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
in the Lord my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.…..Continue Reading
What a humble prayer Hannah prays here praising God for seeing her situation and overcoming it. He is the defender of the weak and the promoter of the righteous. He is the one that determines what happens to people rather than they themselves. He is our rock and stronghold and we can always turn to Him. Eli’s sons did evil before the Lord and to the people. The Bible specified what portion of a sacrifice was to go to the priests, what would go to the Lord and what would go to the offerer. His sons took advantage of that, and took advantage of their position and took advantage of the people. It is never right for someone in authority or with greater knowledge to use those things to their own benefit and the misuse of people and God. And Eli talked to them about it, but did not do anything to correct it. And so a prophet appears that tells Eli, that he, his sons and his house will bear the implications for his sons’ evil. He will defend His name, His people and His priesthood. He will raise up another person and family that will minister on His behalf. Eli’s family will be cut off and will be cut down in the prime of life because of how they defied the things of the Lord. Eli didn’t do anything about his sons’ unrighteousness, but God will.
Hannah’s beautiful prayer of of praise and thanksgiving as she gives her son to God and not to return to her home. I am sure this was difficult but clearly she trusts God and knows her son is in good hands.
Eli’s sons on the other hand are not living under God’s authority. They are taking advantage of their position for personal benefit. God’s judgement is the obvious result of their behavior after Eli’s kind of lame attempt to get them to repent and change clearly makes no difference to them.
1 Samuel 2
With the behavior of Eli’s sons, I would be wary entrusting my young son to him! Hannah is trusting the Lord, not man and fulfilling her vows to God, even though Eli proves an unfaithful servant. I wonder what should Eli have done? Should his sons have been beaten, stoned to death? It seems like that would be what the law required for their behavior.
Hannah’s prayer was clearly inspired by the Holy Spirit and her words are grounded in truth. She speaks with eloquence, conviction and faith. And her prayer resemble the Psalms. “My heart rejoices, I delight in your deliverance, there is no Rock like our God, the Lord is a God who knows, the wicked will be silenced. He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, those who oppose the Lord will be broken, it is not by strength that one prevails.” These are phrases that speak truth into our lives; let us reflect upon them and praise God throughout the day.
1 Samuel 2