1 Samuel 2:1-10
1 Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord;
my strength is exalted in my God.[a]
My mouth derides my enemies
because I rejoice in your victory.
2 There is no Holy One like the Lord,
no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
3 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.
4 The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble gird on strength.
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry are fat with spoil.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
6 The Lord kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low; he also exalts.
8 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 honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
and on them he has set the world.
9 He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked will perish in darkness,
for not by might does one prevail.
10 The Lord! His adversaries will be shattered;
the Most High[b] will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king
and exalt the power of his anointed.”
DEVOTIONAL
This passage records Hannah’s prayer after she gave birth to her son Samuel, whom she dedicated to God by leaving him with the priest Eli at the temple in Shiloh (1 Sam 1). She had prayed earnestly for her first child (1 Sam 1:10-11), and God answered her prayer (1 Sam 1:20). However, Hannah’s prayer in chapter 2 is about much more than giving thanks for God’s blessing of her child. Portions of the prayer allude to her victory over rival wife, Peninnah, who had children by the same husband and had taunted Hannah when Hannah had been barren (1 Sam 1:2, 6). Hannah’s prayer expresses joy in victory (1 Sam 2:1), the humbling of the proud (v. 3), and the miracle of children for the barren (v. 5).
Hannah’s prayer, however, extends far beyond her own circumstance. She gives glory to God for His sovereign power over live and death, and the rich and poor (vv. 6-7). She praises God as one who is attentive to the poor and needy and honors them (v. 8). God’s justice is acknowledged for guarding the faithful and cutting off the wicked (v. 9). The final statement in the prayer is the most striking. The prayer concludes with these words: “He will give strength to his king and exalt the power of his anointed” (v. 10). This is striking because at this point in the story of ancient Israel there is no king. In fact, Hannah’s son, Samuel, will later become the one who anoints the very first king of Israel (1 Sam 10:1).
The final phrase of the prayer honors God for exalting “the power of his anointed.” The Hebrew term which is translated “anointed” is the Hebrew word “mashiach” or “Messiah.” Priests and kings were anointed and therefore called “mashiach.” However, Hannah’s prayer reflects a prophetic word, not only pointing to Israel’s first king, but also alluding to God’s promise of a special Messiah, a descendant of David, who will reign forever (2 Sam 7:12-13, 16). This is the Messiah for whom we eagerly await at Advent. This is the one we celebrate each Christmas as God’s gift to the world: the Messiah whose kingdom is established for eternity! God’s power, concern for the needy, justice, and eternal reign are manifest in the Christ child, our Lord and Savior.
Author: Thomas King
Other Scriptures for today:
- Psalm 146:5-10
- Luke 3:1-18
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