Read 1 Samuel 2:1-10
Here we have the text of Hannah's prayer which was really a song of thanksgiving and praise. We have seen that Hannah was bullied by her rival, Peninnah - Elkanah's other wife who was able to bear children while Hannah was barren. Hannah took the matter to the Lord in earnest prayer and her prayer was answered. This godly woman provides us with a beautiful song of praise and worship in thankfulness for God's intervention in her life.
Hannah acknowledges that the child Samuel was a gift from God but she does not mention the young boy who was serving in the temple. Instead, the song focuses on the giver of the gift and she presents the Lord as sovereign - the king of the nations in control over the affairs of the world. Here are some of the statements she makes to demonstrate how powerful God is. He is portrayed as the one who has authority over the living and the dead. Our lives are in his hands. The word Sheol is the place of the dead.
The Lord kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up. [1 Samuel 2: 6 ESV]
The Lord is in complete control of the operation and function of the earth. Hannah's song speaks about the pillars of the earth and this should not be understood in a literal sense. Hannah is referring to the stability and reliability of the earth. It is not at the mercy of random forces - God has placed the earth on pillars so that it will not be moved or driven off its course. Remember that this is poetry - it is not a scientific description of the laws of physics which keep the earth in orbit around the sun.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's,
and on them he has set the world. [1 Samuel 2:8c ESV]
She emphasises that there is no one like God - He is truly unique (a word which is overused today) and incomparable. Three times in verse 2, she emphasises that there is none like the Lord.
There is none holy like the Lord:
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God. [1 Samuel 2:2 ESV]
The Lord reverses 'fortunes' - he raises those who are cast down and he brings down those who are in a lofty position.
The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low and he exalts.
He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honour. [1 Samuel 2:8 ESV]
This is similar to Luke's Gospel which we studied some time ago in previous Day Shares. One of the key themes in Luke's Gospel was the great reversal taking place in the world, in which the first are becoming last and the last are becoming first, the proud are being brought low and the humble are being exalted. Luke places great emphasis on God’s love for the poor, tax collectors, outcasts, sinners, women, Samaritans, and Gentiles. [See Day Share entitled Luke's Gospel - Key Themes 04/01/2020.] Of course Hannah has had personal experience of the Lord doing just that in her life - she was very low. She was unable to conceive and bear her husband a son and that was considered a disgrace in that society. She was the victim the bullying by the other wife who seemed to be able to have children easily with the same husband as Hannah. But now Hannah has had a son and this has changed everything. Hannah says -
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn. [! Samuel 2: 5b ESV]
She is not saying that she has had seven children - seven is a symbol of perfection in the Bible. In fact, we know that after Samuel was born, Hannah had three sons and two daughters [1 Samuel 2:21] Hannah is using the number seven poetically rather than literally. The number seven is the number of perfection in the Bible and so Hannah is saying that she has the perfect family thanks to God's intervention in her life. The second half of this verse is probably referring to jealous, gloating Peninnah. It is not clear why she is forlorn. Did Peninnah experience the loss of some or all of her children which would seem to be ironic given that she had taunted Hannah with being unable to have children? There is no reference to this in the Bible but the ESV Study Bible takes the word 'forlorn' to mean that she has 'become childless' probably due to illness and death. The Hebrew word is often translated 'to mourn.' Although Hannah does not specifically mention Peninnah, there are references to God as a God of justice. She says that the 'bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength.' [1 Samuel 2: 4 ESV] I want to suggest that she is thinking about Peninnah when she says that the bows of the mighty are broken. This is a metaphor of a powerful warrior but he is suddenly disarmed and is unable to inflict any more wounds. Peninnah has lost her advantage over her. Hannah is speaking of herself in the next part of verse 4 - she is the feeble who has been given strength. The first verse of the song says - "my horn is exalted in the Lord." The horn is the symbol of strength. A bull with its horns raised is powerful and frightening. Hannah has gone from being weak and vulnerable to being strong. She gives God the credit for this transformation.
My heart exults in the Lord;
my horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation. [1 Samuel 2: 1 ESV]
Notice she refers to her enemies - I have no doubt that she is talking about Peninnah in this verse. She also rebukes those who are proud - and that would apply to the other woman - Peninnah.
Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed. [1 Samuel 2: 3 ESV]
Peninnah had been proud and arrogant but God had acted in justice and had vindicated Hannah. The Lord is a God of knowledge - He knows what is happening in his world. He sees the injustice and he always acts in justice. The scales are a symbol of justice. Here is the symbol of the best known courtroom in the United Kingdom known as the Old Bailey
The jury is required to weigh up the evidence and to decide whether the accused is guilty or innocent. The judge has to weigh up a variety of factors before sentencing a person who has been found guilty. There have been many miscarriages of justice in our legal system even though it has a great reputation. God is a God of perfect justice because he knows everything. Nothing is hidden from him.
Maybe you feel that you have been treated unjustly. It's not fair. God is a God of justice. He may choose to settle the matter in this life or it may be left to the future. But we can rely on God to act in justice. As Christians we should not seek to settle scores. We should leave matters in the hands of the Lord. Hannah took her grievance to the Lord in prayer and He answered her prayers. She had to wait a long time - but God did reverse the situation in Hannah's favour.
This is a lovely song of praise and worship from a really godly woman. We need women like Hannah today.
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