Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Samuel 2
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Samuel 2
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Samuel 2
"And Hannah prayed, and said: My heart exulteth in Jehovah; My horn is exalted in Jehovah; My mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; Because I rejoice in thy salvation." — 1 Samuel 2:1 (ASV)
Hannah's song is a prophetic psalm; it is both poetry and prophecy. It takes its place alongside the songs of Miriam, Deborah, and the Virgin Mary, as well as those of Moses, David, Hezekiah, and other psalmists and prophets whose inspired odes are preserved in the Bible.
The special feature these songs share is that, while they spring from and initially relate to specific incidents in the lives of their authors, they branch out into magnificent descriptions of the Kingdom and glory of Christ and the triumphs of the Church. These original incidents were providentially designed to be types of those greater realities.
Understanding this principle is essential for interpreting Hannah's song. This connection is confirmed by comparing the marginal references throughout the text.
"There is none holy as Jehovah; For there is none besides thee, Neither is there any rock like our God." — 1 Samuel 2:2 (ASV)
Any rock ... - The term "rock" as applied to God is first found in the song of Moses (see the note on Deuteronomy 32:4), where the juxtaposition of "rock" and "salvation" in Deuteronomy 32:15, he lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation, seems to indicate that Hannah was acquainted with the song of Moses.
"They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; And they that were hungry have ceased [to hunger]: Yea, the barren hath borne seven; And she that hath many children languisheth." — 1 Samuel 2:5 (ASV)
See an instance in 1 Samuel 2:36. See, too, in Ezekiel 13:19, another example of hire paid in bread.
Ceased — that is, they were at rest and did no work. The general sense is expressed by the translation of the Latin Version: “they were filled.”
"They that strive with Jehovah shall be broken to pieces; Against them will he thunder in heaven: Jehovah will judge the ends of the earth; And he will give strength unto his king, And exalt the horn of his anointed." — 1 Samuel 2:10 (ASV)
He shall give strength ... - This is a most remarkable passage, containing a clear and distinct prophecy of the Kingdom and glory of the Christ of God. .
"And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto Jehovah before Eli the priest." — 1 Samuel 2:11 (ASV)
The word “minister” is used in three senses in Scripture:
- Of the service or ministration of both priests and Levites rendered to the Lord (Exodus 28:35, 43).
- Of the ministrations of the Levites as rendered to the priests to aid them in divine service (Numbers 3:6).
- Of any service or ministration, especially one rendered to a man of God, such as that of Joshua to Moses (Numbers 11:28).
The application of this term to Samuel, as ministering to the Lord before Eli the priest, accords “most exactly” with Samuel’s condition as a Levite.
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