In this part of the series, we will look at the context surrounding our passage, so that we can better see how we should understand it.
In the greater context behind 1 Samuel 2:1-10, is that God was bringing a new way of governance to Israel through Samuel. Samuel was the last of the judges, who were people that God raised up to lead certain tribes against Israel’s enemies. Times were changing and empires started forming. Samuel was born through a miracle (Hannah was barren), showing that God was behind Samuel and was going to use Him to bring about something new in Israel (such as with Jesus’ virgin birth). Initially, according to the rebellion of the people against God as king (1 Sam. 10:19), Samuel anointed Saul as king (chosen from their rebellion). Saul eventually rebelled against God, and David, chosen by God and alluded to as a type of messiah-king in verse ten, took his place. It is from David’s line that Hannah’s prophecy is to be fulfilled in Christ. Christ Himself was to take the kingship back to God, ushering in perfect obedience; obedience that was sorely lacking through much of the times of the judges.
In the immediate context, a man named Elkanah had two wives: Peninnah and Hannah. Peninnah had many children, but Hannah was barren. As in past accounts of men having multiple wives (such as with Abraham and Jacob’s wives), there was bitter rivalry between them. Elkanah favoured Hannah, and gave her double-portions of meat for the temple sacrifice. So, despite having many children, Peninnah was very jealous of Hannah, and often harassed her for having no children. Her humiliation was so terrible that she appeared as drunk to Eli, the high priest at that time, while she prayed. She poured out her heart to the Lord, pleading with God to give her a son, whom she promised to give over to the service of the Lord in His temple. In a way, this whole account typifies the coming of Christ (Samuel is a “type” of Christ, pointing to Christ’s work and person). For instance, Peninnah represents natural offspring and the evil that accompanies that, while the birth of Hannah’s child signifies a divinely miraculous birth that brings hope to Israel—hope that they can be brought back to a right relationship with God.
With the greater and more immediate context, we can now look at the meaning of our passage. The following is an outline of 1 Samuel 2:1-10, which helps to both summarize the whole passage and then each verse. This will help us for when we explore each verse individually, laying out a course for the rest of this series.
Summary
God is sovereign over all things as to bring about His purposes in every dimension of human life, preserving His own and smashing the wicked, even unto the exaltation of the Messiah King.
Outline
I. Hannah is praising the one true God for His salvation and for empowering her to praise Him with a response against her enemies (verses 1-2).
A. God has empowered Hannah with a response of praise to God against her enemies (verse 1).
B. God is described as uniquely God, uniquely holy, and the unique rock of salvation (verse 2).
II. Hannah speaks of God as sovereign judge over all spoken words, controller of all power, distributor of all food, one who blesses with children, and as taker of life (verses 3-5).
A. Israel is exhorted to watch what they say, since God knows all things, making Him the perfect judge of everything spoken (verse 3).
B. God is able to both crush all human strength and strengthen the weak for action (verse 4).
C. God is sovereign over the distribution and sustainability of food and over all life (verse 5).
III. God gives and takes away all life, wealth, honor, and power; declaring those against Him destroyed, those with Him protected, and the Messiah King exalted (verses 6-10).
A. God directly kills and brings to Sheol, and He directly gives life and takes people up (verse 6).
B. God sovereignly takes away and brings low and sovereignly gives wealth and exalts (verse 7).
C. Since God has all power over the whole earth, He also can and does raise and honor the poor and needy according to His good pleasure (verse 8).
D. To God alone is true power, even power to judge evil and preserve His saints (verse 9).
E. God judges the earth (smashing His enemies) and exalts His Messiah King (verse 10).
Next time we will be looking at verses 1-2. This series is about the wonderous character and sovereignty of God. I believe that you will be encouraged and awed as we continue exploring this passage.