Topical Encyclopedia Hannah, a significant figure in the Old Testament, is best known for her devout faith and her heartfelt prayer for a child, which God answered with the birth of Samuel, a pivotal prophet in Israel's history. Her account is primarily found in the first two chapters of the First Book of Samuel. Hannah's hymn of praise, often referred to as "Hannah's Song," is a profound expression of gratitude and theological insight, recorded in 1 Samuel 2:1-10.Context and Background Hannah was one of two wives of Elkanah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim. She was deeply loved by her husband, but she suffered greatly due to her barrenness, which was a source of personal anguish and social reproach. Her rival, Peninnah, Elkanah's other wife, taunted her mercilessly. In her distress, Hannah turned to the LORD in prayer at the tabernacle in Shiloh, vowing that if God granted her a son, she would dedicate him to the LORD's service all the days of his life (1 Samuel 1:11). God heard Hannah's plea, and she bore a son, whom she named Samuel, meaning "heard of God." True to her vow, once Samuel was weaned, she brought him to the tabernacle and entrusted him to the priest Eli, dedicating him to the LORD's service. Hannah's Hymn of Praise Hannah's hymn, found in 1 Samuel 2:1-10, is a poetic and prophetic song that exalts the LORD's sovereignty, justice, and faithfulness. It is a rich theological text that reflects themes of divine reversal, God's holiness, and His ultimate control over the affairs of humanity. 1. Exaltation of the LORD: Hannah begins her song with personal rejoicing and exultation in the LORD's deliverance. "My heart rejoices in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in Your salvation" (1 Samuel 2:1). Here, "horn" symbolizes strength and victory, indicating that her strength is renewed and her status vindicated by God's intervention. 2. God's Holiness and Uniqueness: She declares the holiness and uniqueness of God, emphasizing that there is no one like Him. "There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God" (1 Samuel 2:2). This acknowledgment of God's singularity underscores His unmatched power and reliability. 3. Divine Reversal: A central theme in Hannah's hymn is the reversal of human fortunes by divine intervention. She speaks of the LORD humbling the proud and exalting the humble, filling the hungry and emptying the full. "The LORD brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts" (1 Samuel 2:6-7). This theme foreshadows the later biblical principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). 4. God's Sovereignty and Justice: Hannah extols God's sovereign rule over the earth, asserting His control over life and death, wealth and poverty. She proclaims that He will guard the feet of His faithful ones, while the wicked will be silenced in darkness. "For it is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the LORD will be shattered" (1 Samuel 2:9-10). This reflects a deep trust in God's just governance and His ultimate victory over evil. 5. Messianic Foreshadowing: The hymn concludes with a prophetic note, anticipating the establishment of a king and the anointed one. "He will give strength to His king and exalt the horn of His anointed" (1 Samuel 2:10). This reference to the "anointed" is seen as a foreshadowing of the coming Messiah, who would fulfill God's redemptive purposes for His people. Hannah's hymn of praise is a timeless testament to the power of prayer, the faithfulness of God, and the profound truths of His character and kingdom. Her song not only celebrates personal deliverance but also articulates a vision of God's justice and sovereignty that resonates throughout the biblical narrative. Nave's Topical Index 1 Samuel 2:1-10And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoices in the LORD, my horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over my enemies; because I rejoice in your salvation. Nave's Topical Index Library The Magnificat The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his ... About the Prefigured Change of the Israelitic Kingdom and ... viii Introduction The Key-Note of a Choice Sonnet From the End of the Third Continental Journey, in 1834, to the ... Introduction The Lord of Hosts, the God of Jacob Thanksgiving Versus Complaining Resources Does God answer prayers? | GotQuestions.orgIs public prayer biblical? Is it okay to pray in public? | GotQuestions.org Questions about 1 Samuel | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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