Hannah's prayer and praise
1 Sam 2:1 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
Hannah's prayer, in time of the sorrow of delivering her son, rejoices in the Lord. For many years she suffered, feeling worthless. The constant nagging of the adversary, the other wife, added to her distress. finally the Lord answers her prayer. It was the LORD who brought Samuel. She rejoices in fulfilling her vow to him. Her horn, her strength is exalted in the Lord. Her strength was from the Lord. Her speech is bold, her enemies take notice because she rejoiced in her salvation. Compare this prayer with the prayer of Mary in Luke 1:46-55. Mary echos Hannah's prayer. Hannah at giving a son to the Lord and Mary who shall receive a son from the Lord.
Psa 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psa 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
1 Sam 2:2 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Psa 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Psa 18:3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
1 Sam 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
James 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
James 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
James 4:16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
Perhaps, Hannah is referring to her adversary, who arrogantly accused her, when she needed a friend. Satan is the accuser of the brethren, he is relentless in his quest to tear you down. If you are humbly dwelling in Christ, under the blood, he cannot succeed.
Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
1 Sam 2:4 The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
1 Sam 2:5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
God has a way of turning things upside down.
Mat 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Mat 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
1 Sam 2:6 The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
The Lord has power over life and death.
Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
Luke 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
1 Sam 2:7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
1 Sam 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them.
Prov 18:16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
1 Cor 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1 Cor 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1 Cor 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
1 Sam 2:9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
Psa 18:36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
Psa 18:37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.
Psa 18:38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.
1 Sam 2:10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
There was no king in Israel, so Hannah spoke of her Messiah, Jesus.
1 Sam 2:11 And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.
Samuel would be a servant of God, hearing and following him as a prophet of God. Eli would raise Samuel to know God's word and teach him the things of God. Eli would raise a Spiritual son unto God.
Sons of Belial
1 Sam 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.
These were openly sinning, not even trying to do God's will. The Bible says that all the world belongs to satan and that most serve him. When Jesus was tempted of the devil, the devil offered him all the kingdoms of the world, because he had stolen dominion from man, when Adam sinned.
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
These were in line to be the priest and were already priests, yet they openly sinned before God in the house of God.
1 Sam 2:13 And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;
1 Sam 2:14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh, unto all the Israelites that came thither.
This was not according to God's law.
Exo 29:27 And thou shalt sanctify the breast of the wave offering, and the shoulder of the heave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of the consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons:
Lev 7:31 And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons.
The portion for the priest was the breast and right shoulder. They were using a hook and removing parts that belonged to the family that offered the sacrifice.
1 Sam 2:15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
God was to receive the offering first, the burned fat was to God. The son's had their servants take the meat raw with the fat, probably to sell it on the open market for a profit.
1 Sam 2:16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
The servants of the evil son's were sent, making them look lofty, while the servants did their bidding, even by force.
1 Sam 2:17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
Because of the corruption men hated the offering of the LORD. The world sees the ministries that constantly appeal for money, in much the same way. They abhor the offering. Offerings used by corrupt priests for their enrichment. Woe to these priests.
They had caused others to stumble in their faith. What was to be a holy sacrifice, was profaned. If God cannot be found in the temple? Many would fall away.
Mat 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Contrast the young Samuel and his parents
1 Sam 2:18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
Samuel ministered before the Lord, in white linen. He must have appeared as a little angel. He had on the robe of righteousness. This was a priestly garment.
Exo 39:27 And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,
Exo 39:28 And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen,
1 Sam 2:19 Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
The mother had not forgotten her son. He was still her son, lent to God for life.
Both Eli and Samuel's parents did good for their sons. The will of the son makes the difference. Samuel served God, Eli's children served pleasure and Belial. It is difficult to have to correct a son, we want only to bless. But, if they transgress God's law and we do nothing? We are saying, my son is more important then God. If we love God more then our children we must correct them.
1 Sam 2:20 And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.
1 Sam 2:21 And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
Hannah was blessed with three more son's and two daughters. You cannot outgive the Lord. You give your best and he will always outgive you.
Samuel grew before the LORD. The Lord had chosen Samuel as the next high priest after Eli. Sin may prosper for a season, but God will destroy the works of Belial.
1 Sam 2:22 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
The sons were having sexual relations with the women at the door. The Lord and even the world expects a high moral standard from priests. When this standard is broken, everyone hears about it.
1 Sam 2:23 And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.
1 Sam 2:24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress.
He heard and gave a passive response, but did nothing to remove them from their place of evil. Perhaps we cannot always have children that love the Lord, but we can keep them out of positions of authority in the worship place. They will cause many others to fall if they continue. Eli as high priest should have had them removed. Who knows how many lives were destroyed by their being as priests.
1 Pet 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1 Pet 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly
We do no one a favor by allowing a son to sin openly before God towards another. We are putting him above God when we allow their sin to continue. In affect, we are giving satan freedom to destroy God's work.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
1 Sam 2:25 If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them. Eli, expressed his disappointment, but was a passive father, allowing the son's to continue. All he did was whine about what they were doing wrong, but he never took the necessary actions to correct the problem. He did warn them that God was not pleased; but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall entreat for him?
How blessed we are, who are under grace.
1 John 2:1 answer’s Eli’s question: And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Praise God, there is someone to intercede for us when we sin against the Lord!
They didn't care. They were of the feel good generation. We are in that generation now. If it feels good do it. They did not oppose their father, because as high priest the Lord would slay them. Even the evil son's feared the God under the law, that would punish certain offenses swiftly. They were doing all they could to do their own pleasure and not be destroyed. Like some today, they worship the God of pleasure more than the God who created them. But all offenders will be judged.
Repentance is a gift from God, and if God chooses not to grant the gift, people will never want to repent. God judged Eli’s sons this way: God gave them exactly what they wanted. They did not want to repent, and God did not work repentance in their hearts.
Paul explains this judgment by God, giving people their own way, in Romans.
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Lord, give me your way, help me to learn of you, I seek no other way. Use me, bless me and forgive me my sins through the blood of Jesus.
1 Sam 2:26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.
Again, the Lords Samuel was mentioned, growing and in favour of God and men. The Lord had his arm on Samuel. He was growing up in righteousness, much as the young Jesus grew up before God and man.
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
It is always satan's evil workers, who oppose God's children. Yet, God will establish his purpose through his chosen children. Who are the chosen? Those who willingly serve God out of love and reverence. The house of Eli were priests of God's covenant.
2 Chr 15:12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;
2 Chr 15:13 That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.
God is a God of Justice. He cannot allow sin to go unpunished. If Eli would not stand for righteousness, God would judge them all.
A Prophet sent to Eli
1 Sam 2:27 And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?
A prophet of God comes to Eli speaking God's message; God met with Moses in the burning bush in the desert, giving him a calling. Moses, wanting a spokesman chose Aaron, his brother.
1 Sam 2:28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?
God chose Aaron and his house as the priests of God. Eli was one branch of Aarons house or family tree.
1 Sam 2:29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
If we are God's servants and we continue in disobedience, God will send a messenger. For Eli, it was a prophet. He was not pleasing God with his careless leadership.
Why do you kick at my offerings? Whose were they? the offerings of the people to God, they were God's offerings. The priests stole the choice parts, even the fat for themselves.
Honourest thy sons above me? Eli gave his son's what they wanted or he was too old to do anything to stop them. He put his sons above God in his heart. What ever we put higher then God, we risk God tearing it down.
Eli is reminded that it was God who chose the priests and He delivered the Jews from Egypt. Why then do you kick at my sacrifices? If we kick something, we despise it, they were despising God by taking what belonged to him in open disobedience. Even as Saul kicked against the goads, the way of God, in opposing Jesus, dealing harshly with the Christians. Jesus took it personally.
Acts 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
God, the Father and protector of Israel, the God who delivered his people from bondage, He it was who was offended by his Priests. If we fear what man will think, we better fear what God will do. God has seen the evil of the house of Eli. God is a God of justice.
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
1 Sam 2:30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
God had willed that Aaron's priesthood would have continued in righteousness forever, but it was a conditional promise, here is God's will, but he does not force someone to obey. We have free will to obey him. Here is evidence of man choosing, you can choose for good or for evil. But, they had gone too far, in the time of God's covenant of law, he was under his own law in punishing offenders, "for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed."
1 Sam 2:31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.
The priest was a disobedient old man. He was too old to keep his son's from sinning. Eli's priestly line, would soon be cut off. Not only that, but he would have no descendants who would live to an old age.
Psa 92:9 For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
1 Sam 2:32 And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.
Again he repeats that Eli's descendants will not be blessed with a long life. They despised the sacrifice of the LORD and they worshipped their own pleasures.
Exo 20:5 ...for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
This is the law and the covenant with Israel.
1 Sam 2:33 And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.
The curse is repeated, because they chose iniquity, their future descendents would have a hard life and die at a young age.
Remember we are not under the law of sin and death. In Jesus, all curses are broken. I have heard people who were concerned because they came from evil and abusive parents. There is no hope for me, they say? Sure there is, Jesus changes things.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2 Cor 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
We are not cursed, but become ministers of God, ministers of reconciliation. We are the beloved children of the most high God, because Jesus was sent to reconcile us to God, we are to share the good news, the gospel with others, delivering others from the curses of sin.
1 Sam 2:34 And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.
A prophecy of death to the sons of belial, in one day they shall fall.
1 Sam 2:35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.
The faithful priest, first would be Samuel, then in the future , the eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ. Jesus was not a priest after Aaron, but after Melchisedec.
Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
Heb 5:6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Heb 5:10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Heb 7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
Heb 7:2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
Heb 7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Heb 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
1 Sam 2:36 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.
The descendents of Eli shall live in poverty and be cut off from the priesthood. This may sound too harsh, but it was a just punishment, under the law. God is just and loving. He will punish the disobedient and reward those who love him. If he were not just? Then he would be like Eli, allowing sin to continue. Satan will be judged, and his evil servants, for this I am grateful. Our God is just and wise and all knowing. Holy is our God, We will praise him.
Isa 29:15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
Gary
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