Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

My heart overflows with joy because I am exalted in the Lord. He is my strength, and I triumph over those who oppose me because I rejoice in his salvation.

There is no one holy like the Lord; he alone is without equal. No other god is like him, nor is there any rock as strong as our God. Let your words be humble before him, for the Lord knows all things and weighs each person's actions.

The mighty men of this world will soon lose their strength, while those who were once weak will find new courage within them. Those who had plenty to eat are now struggling just to get by, while those who were hungry are finally full. The Lord has the power to bring people down or lift them up, making some alive and others dead.

He brings people poverty or wealth, sometimes lifting them up and other times putting them low. He rescues the poor from their humble beginnings and lifts the needy out of their struggles, seating them alongside princes and giving them a share in the throne of glory. The earth's foundations belong to the Lord, who established it upon its own strong base.

The Lord will protect his faithful followers and silence those who oppose him, for no human can overcome him by force. His adversaries will be shattered; he will unleash his mighty power against them from heaven, judging them with his justice and giving strength to his chosen king, exalting the honor of his anointed one.

Meanwhile, Elkanah went home to Ramah, leaving Samuel in Eli's care. The young boy continued to serve the Lord before Eli the priest.

The sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know or respect the Lord. Their custom was that when someone offered a sacrifice, their servant would come while the meat was still sizzling on the cooking pot and grab whatever he could with his three-pronged fork. The priest's servant took all the meat he could hook for himself.

The servant would ask the person sacrificing, "Give me some raw meat to roast; I won't have any boiled flesh from you." If someone said, "Let them burn the fat first and then take as much as they desire," the servant would say, "No, give it to me now. And if not, I'll take it by force."

The young men's sin was great before the Lord because they despised the offerings made to him.

Samuel served the Lord, wearing a simple linen robe like a young boy should. His mother brought him a new robe each year when she came with his father for the annual sacrifice.

Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, saying, "May the Lord grant you children in return for your loan." And they went home. The Lord saw Hannah's plight, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters; Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.

Eli was old and aware of all his sons' wrongdoing against Israel, especially their relationships with women who hung around the tabernacle entrance. He said to them, "Why are you doing these things? I've heard only bad reports about your actions from this entire people."

My sons, I hear nothing but evil about you; you're causing God's people to disobey him. If one person sins against another, a judge will settle the matter, but if someone sins against the Lord, who can intervene on their behalf? Notwithstanding, they refused to listen to their father because the Lord had decided to destroy them.

The young Samuel grew in favor with both God and the people. One day, a man of God came to Eli and said, "This is what the Lord says: Did I clearly appear to your family when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh's rule?

Did I choose one of their sons from all Israel's tribes to be my priest? Wasn't he to offer sacrifices on my altar, burn incense for me, and wear an ephod before me? And didn't I give the house of your father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering, which I commanded in my sanctuary? You honor your sons above me by making yourselves rich with the choicest parts from all Israel's offerings. The Lord God of Israel says: 'I said that your house and your father's would walk before me forever, but now I say it is far from me to honor those who dishonor me.

Those who honor me will be honored; behold, days are coming when I'll cut off your dynasty and your father's household. Not one elderly person in your family will remain. You'll see an enemy within my own house, devouring all the wealth God gives Israel. There won't be any old men left in your house forever.'

And this is a sign to you: on that day, both of your sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will die.

I'll raise up a faithful priest who will carry out my purposes and serve me faithfully, establishing him as a lasting dynasty before my anointed one forever. All those left in your house will come and bow down to him, begging for some silver or bread, saying, 'Put us into one of the priests' positions so we can eat some bread.'"