Study notes

1 Samuel 2

Introducing 1 SamuelWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

1:1–2:11 Section

Hannah couldn’t have children. In this way she was like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and the mother of Samson.

Her husband Elkanah wasn’t upset about this. But Hannah was only one of Elkanah’s wives. Elkanah’s other wife was named Peninnah. Peninnah was unkind to Hannah because Hannah couldn’t have children.

Hannah was very sad and told God all about her troubles. Her prayer showed how close she was to God. Hannah prayed for God to give her a son. She promised that her son would be set apart as a Nazirite.

Eli spoke a blessing over Hannah. When Samuel was old enough, Hannah kept the promise she had made to God. She took Samuel to Shiloh to live with Eli in the Lord’s house. That was another name for the holy tent.

Hannah’s second prayer was a poem of praise to God. She praised God for rescuing and saving needy people. Her prayer was also a prophecy about a king who would be anointed. She praised God for bringing judgement against evil.

Many years later, Jesus’ mother Mary sang a song to praise God for these same things (Luke 1:46–55).

2:1

my horn is exalted: Literally has lifted my horn; see also 1 Samuel 2:10. The horn of a strong animal, like an ox or bull, was a symbol of strength. It was raised in victory after defeating an enemy (see also 1 Kings 22:11).

2:1–10

Hannah’s Prayer of Praise celebrates Samuel's dedication to serving God. It highlights God's:

Uniqueness (1 Samuel 2:1–2)
Power to change fortunes (1 Samuel 2:3–9)
Ability to strengthen his chosen king (1 Samuel 2:10)

Like Mary’s Song of Praise in Luke 1:46–55, Hannah’s prayer emphasizes God bringing down the rich and powerful and lifting up the poor and oppressed (1 Samuel 2:7–8; Luke 1:52–53). David’s prayer in 2 Samuel 22 is another beautiful statement of God’s saving power for his chosen king (1 Samuel 2:10). God will bring down the rich, unrighteous rulers (like Eli, Saul, or Herod). Leaders who follow God's will like Samuel, David or Jesus will be lifted up to a higher position or status.

2:2

no one besides You: David reacted the same way after hearing God's promises about his kingship (2 Samuel 7:22).
Rock (compare 2 Samuel 22:2–3, 32): God offers stability and security to those who trust in him.

2:3

Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogance…: Peninnah showed this attitude (see 1 Samuel 1:6–7). In contrast, Hannah was humbly dependent on God. This means she did not think too highly of herself. Instead, she trusted in God and relied on him for help.

2:4–8

Hannah celebrated God's power to completely change people's situations.

2:5

Those who were hungry now have enough to eat (see 1 Samuel 1:7, 18).
The phrase seven children poetically means that a woman without children would be blessed with a home full of children (see 1 Samuel 2:21).

2:7–8

Compare with Psalm 113:7–9.

2:8

The entire earth belongs to the Lord. God, who created and rules everything, can:

change circumstances (1 Samuel 2:4–8),
protect those who are faithful (1 Samuel 2:9),
judge those who are wicked, and
give strength to his chosen king (1 Samuel 2:10).

2:10

The king was to use his God-given power to help the oppressed, the hungry, and those unable to have children (see Psalm 72:1 4, 12–14; Proverbs 31:8–9).
He will exalt the horn: See study note on 1 Samuel 2:1.
His anointed (Hebrew mashiakh): This part of Hannah’s prayer predicts both Israel’s anointed kings and God’s ultimate Anointed King—the Messiah, Jesus Christ (see 1 Samuel 12:3–5; 24:6, 10; Psalm 132:17; Daniel 9:25–26).

2:12

wicked men (Hebrew sons of Belial): See study note on 1:16.
had no regard for (literally did not know) the LORD: Even though they were priests among God's people, they ignored God and did not follow his will (compare Jeremiah 2:8).

2:12–7:17 Section

Eli’s sons did evil things as priests and Eli didn’t stop them. Samuel acted differently than they did. Samuel wasn’t in the family line of Aaron. But he served God faithfully like priests were supposed to.

The first message that Samuel shared as a prophet was against Eli and his sons. The prophecy came true after a battle between the people of Israel and the Philistines. The Israelites wanted God to protect them and to help them win the battle. They used the ark of the covenant to try and force God to do this. But they weren’t obeying God or trusting him to save them. This was very different from how the ark was used in the battle against Jericho (Joshua 6:1–14).

Eli’s sons were killed in the battle with the Philistines. Eli died when he heard that the Philistines captured the ark of the covenant. The Philistines suffered a plague because they had taken the ark. The plague was God’s judgement against them. It showed them that God was more powerful than their false gods.

When the ark was returned to Israel, Samuel served the Israelites as their leader. He was the last one to lead like the 12 judges had led. He helped the Israelites turn back to God. They stopped worshipping false gods and instead worshipped only God. This showed that they were being faithful to the Mount Sinai covenant. Then God saved them from their enemies. This was one of the covenant blessings.

2:13–17

The priests were meant to take their share of the meat only after it was boiled (see Numbers 6:19). Eli’s sons ignored God's rules (1 Samuel 2:13–14, 17).

2:15

God's law stated that the fat from a sacrificial animal belonged to the Lord. The priests had to burn the fat on the altar before anything else could be done with the animal (Leviticus 3:3–17).

2:18

The phrase Samuel served the Lord refers to the religious duties of Levites and priests (see, for example, Numbers 3:4; 8:19, 24; Deuteronomy 18:7). Samuel, like Eli's sons, was a Levite (see study note on 1 Samuel 1:1). However, unlike Eli's sons, Samuel performed his duties well.
He wore a linen garment similar to what priests wore when serving in the sanctuary (see study note on 1 Samuel 22:18).

2:20

Eli would bless: Blessing was one of the functions of a priest (Numbers 6:23–27; Deuteronomy 10:8; 1 Chronicles 23:13). See study note on 1 Samuel 1:17–18.

2:22

sleeping with the women: Eli’s sons were likely influenced by Canaanite religious practices, which included sex as part of the ceremony.
who served at the entrance: See Exodus 38:8.

2:22–25

Eli's weak efforts to correct his the behavior of his sons (see 1 Samuel 2:29) show he raised them without discipline (1 Samuel 3:13).

2:25

God (or the judges; Hebrew ’elohim): The Hebrew word translated intercede is plural here. When ’elohim means "God" it often takes a singular verb. Some ancient translations interpret ’elohim as “judges” in this context. If so, the judges would mediate for the guilty in a human court. Yet, many Hebrew scholars argue that ’elohim should not be translated as “judges.” If so, how could God intercede for the man who sinned? Eli might have believed that court decisions came directly from God. God might work through his written laws or through other events to either free or find guilty a person accused of doing something wrong. Or Eli might have been talking about the system of animal sacrifices.
The sexual wrongdoing in (1 Samuel 2:22) and excessive eating in (1 Samuel 2:12–17) of Eli’s sons were sins against the Lord. This was because they were corrupting how Israel worshiped God. No one can speak to God on behalf of sinners who completely refuse to follow God's will (see Matthew 12:31).
Eli’s sons ignored their father because the Lord had already started to punish them by making their hearts stubborn (see Exodus 4:21; 7:3; 8:15–32; 10:27; 11:10).

2:26

As children, both Samuel and Jesus had extraordinary qualities (1 Samuel 2:21; see also Luke 2:40, 52). Samuel was one of Jesus' forerunners (someone who came before and prepared the way). Samuel showed what would happen to Jesus through his words, actions, and sometimes through events in his own life that were similar to what would happen in Jesus' life.

2:27

"Man of God" is another name for a prophet (1 Samuel 9:6; 1 Kings 13:1; 2 Kings 1:9).

2:29

Eli did not stop his sons from doing wrong, showing disrespect for God's sacrifices and offerings. Eli gained from their actions, so God blamed him for allowing it.

2:30

that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever: See Exodus 29:9 and Numbers 25:13. God will honor another of Aaron’s descendants (see study note on 1 Samuel 2:35) and reject Eli’s family, removing them from the priesthood (1 Samuel 2:31–35).

2:32–33

reach old age: In the Old Testament, a short life often shows God's disapproval. A long life shows God's blessing (see Genesis 15:15; 1 Kings 3:14; Psalm 91:16).

2:35

a faithful priest: Zadok and his family later took over the priesthood from Eli's family (1 Kings 2:26–27, 35).

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources