MPV Commentary

Hannah's Song in Thankfulness to God.

In this beautiful song of praise and thanksgiving, Hannah expresses her gratitude to God for answering her petition (1Sa 2:1). Praise and prayer are closely linked in Scripture (Col 4:2; 1Ti 2:1).

The image of a raised "horn" is used to describe Hannah's exaltation. In ancient Israelite culture, women wore a metal horn on their forehead as part of their headdress. When a woman became a mother, she would raise the horn slightly, indicating her new status.

Those who were once hungry now have enough to eat (1Sa 2:5). The barren woman has given birth to many children (1Sa 2:5). God brings people down from positions of power and raises them up again (1Sa 2:6).

He lifts the poor out of their poverty-stricken existence, raising them from the lowest levels of society (1Sa 2:8). Hannah sees her own transformation as a sign of hope for others. She believes that God will exalt those who are currently in lowly positions to places of honor and dignity.

The Lord will judge all people on earth and exalt His anointed one, or Messiah (1Sa 2:10). This is the first time in Scripture that the word "anointed" is used. Some interpret it as a reference to Christ, who would later be the king of Israel. There are similarities between Hannah's song and Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:46).

The young Samuel was already serving God at a tender age, likely performing simple tasks such as playing music or lighting lamps for Eli the priest (1Sa 2:11).