“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.”
After that she had obtained a son by prayer, she gave thanks. I have recovered strength and glory by the benefit of the Lord. I can answer them that reprove my barrenness.
“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. arrogancy: Heb. hard”
In that ye condemn my barrenness, ye show your pride against God.
“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.”
Or, many. They sell their labors for necessary food.
“The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.”
Cross references: : Deut. 32:39
“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.”
He prefereth to honor, and putteth down according to his own will, though man’s judgment be contrary. Ps. 113:7 Therefore he may dispose all things according to his will.
“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.”
She grounded her prayer on Jesus Christ which was to come. 1 Sam. 7:10
“And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.”
In all that Eli commanded him.
“Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.”
That is, they neglected his ordinance.
“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.”
Transgressing the order appointed in the Law, Lev. 7:31 , for their belly’s sake.
“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.”
Which was commanded first to have been offered to God.
“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. presently: Heb. as on the day”
Not passing for their own profit, so that God might be served aright. Or, Law.
“Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.”
Seeing the horrible abuse thereof.
“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. loan: or, petition which she asked, etc”
Or, for the thing that she hath lent to the Lord: to wit, Samuel.
“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. assembled: Heb. assembled by troops”
Which was (as the Hebrews write) after their travail, when they came to be purified, read Exod. 38:8 ; Lev. 12:6 .
“Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD'S people to transgress. transgress: or, cry out”
Because they contemn their duty to God, verse 17 .
“If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.”
So that to obey good admonitions is God’s mercy, and to disobey them is his just judgment for sin.
“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?”
Why have you contemned my sacrifices, and as it were trod them under foot?
“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’s promises are only effectual to such as he giveth constancy unto, to fear and obey him.
“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. an enemy: or, the affliction of the tabernacle, for all the wealth which God would have given Israel”
Thy posterity shall see the glory of the chief Priest translated to another, whom they shall envy, 1 Kings 2:27 .
“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. in the flower: Heb. men”
Or, when they come to man’s age.
“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.”
Meaning Zadok, who succeeded Abiathar, and was the figure of Christ.
“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. Put: Heb. Join one of: or, somewhat about the priesthood”
That is, shall be inferior unto him.