New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996

1 Samuel 2

1 Then Hannah prayed. She said, "The Lord has filled my heart with joy. He has made me strong. I can laugh at my enemies. I'm so glad he saved me. Reference

Parallel theme

Psalm 92:10 Psalm 89:17 Psalm 89:24

Prayer

Philippians 4:6

References Lord

Philippians 4:4

Salvation

Psalm 13:5 Psalm 20:5 Psalm 9:14 Psalm 35:9 Psalm 118:14

2 "There isn't anyone holy like the Lord. There isn't anyone except him. There isn't any Rock like our God. Reference

Holy

Exodus 15:11 1 Peter 1:16 Isaiah 57:15 Isaiah 6:3

References God

2 Samuel 22:32 Isaiah 44:6 Psalm 86:8 Psalm 89:8 Isaiah 44:8

References Lord

Jeremiah 10:6

3 "Don't keep talking so proudly. Don't let your mouth say such proud things. The Lord is a God who knows everything. He judges everything people do. Reference

Parallel theme

1 Kings 8:39 Proverbs 24:12 Isaiah 37:23 Psalm 94:4

References God

Hebrews 4:12 Psalm 44:21 Job 31:6

References Lord

Proverbs 8:13 Proverbs 16:2 Psalm 147:5

4 "The bows of great heroes are broken. But those who trip and fall are made strong. Reference

Parallel theme

Psalm 76:3 Psalm 37:15 Psalm 46:9 Philippians 4:13 Hebrews 11:34 Psalm 37:17 2 Corinthians 12:9 Isaiah 10:4 Jeremiah 37:10

5 Those who used to be full have to work for food. But those who used to be hungry aren't hungry anymore. The woman who couldn't have children has seven of them now. But the woman who has had many children is sad now because hers have died. Reference

Parallel theme

Psalm 113:9 Psalm 34:10 Jeremiah 15:9 Luke 1:53 Isaiah 54:1 Luke 16:25 1 Samuel 1:20 1 Samuel 1:6

6 "The Lord causes people to die. He also gives people life. He brings people down to the grave. He also brings people up. Reference

Parallel theme

Deuteronomy 32:39 Isaiah 26:19 2 Kings 5:7 Revelation 1:18 Job 5:18 John 11:25 Psalm 116:3 Matthew 12:40

References Lord

1 Samuel 20:3

7 The Lord makes people poor. He also makes people rich. He brings people down. He also lifts people up. Reference

Parallel theme

Psalm 75:7 Job 5:11 Psalm 102:10

References Lord

Job 1:21 James 4:10 Isaiah 2:12

8 He raises poor people up from the trash pile. He lifts needy people out of the ashes. He lets them sit with princes. He gives them places of honor. "The foundations of the earth belong to the Lord. On them he has set the world. Reference

Glory

Revelation 1:6

Parallel theme

Daniel 2:48 James 2:5 Daniel 6:3 Ecclesiastes 4:14 Revelation 5:10 Revelation 3:21

References Lord

1 Samuel 15:17 Revelation 22:5 2 Samuel 7:8

9 He guards the paths of those who are faithful to him. But evil people will lie silent in their dark graves. "People don't win just because they are strong. Reference

Holy

Psalm 37:28 Psalm 97:10 Deuteronomy 33:3

Parallel theme

Psalm 121:3 1 Peter 1:5 Psalm 94:18 Job 5:24 Zechariah 4:6 Psalm 121:8 Proverbs 16:9

10 Those who oppose the Lord will be totally destroyed. He will thunder against them from heaven. He will judge the earth from one end to the other. "He will give power to his king. He will give honor to his anointed one." Reference

Judgment

Psalm 96:13 Psalm 98:9

Kingdom

Psalm 21:1 Psalm 2:6 Psalm 2:2

Parallel theme

Psalm 2:9 Psalm 89:24

References Lord

Psalm 20:6 Exodus 15:6 1 Samuel 7:10

11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah. But the boy Samuel served the Lord under the direction of the priest Eli. Reference

References Lord

1 Samuel 2:18 1 Samuel 3:1 1 Samuel 1:28

12 Eli's sons were evil men. They didn't know the Lord. Reference

Parallel theme

2 Corinthians 6:15 Romans 1:21 John 16:3 John 8:55 John 17:3

References Lord

Jeremiah 2:8 Judges 2:10

13 When anyone came to offer a sacrifice, here is what the priests would do. While the meat was being boiled, the servant of the priest would come with a large fork in his hand.

14 He would stick it into the pan or pot or small or large kettle. Then the priest would take for himself everything the fork brought up. That's how Eli's sons treated all of the people of Israel who came to Shiloh.

15 Even before the fat was burned, the servant of the priest would come over. He would speak to the man who was offering the sacrifice. He would say, "Give the priest some meat to cook. He won't accept boiled meat from you. All he'll accept is raw meat." Reference

Parallel theme

Romans 16:18 Philippians 3:19

Sacrifice

Leviticus 3:16

16 Sometimes the man would say to him, "Let the fat be burned up first. Then take what you want." But the servant would answer, "No. Hand it over right now. If you don't, I'll take it away from you by force." Reference

Parallel theme

Leviticus 3:16

17 That sin of Eli's sons was very great in the Lord's sight. That's because they were making fun of his offering. Reference

Parallel theme

Genesis 6:11

Sacrifice

Malachi 2:13

Sin

Genesis 13:13

18 But the boy Samuel served the Lord. He wore a sacred linen apron. Reference

Parallel theme

Exodus 28:4 1 Samuel 22:18

References Lord

1 Samuel 3:1 1 Samuel 2:11 2 Samuel 6:14

19 Each year his mother made him a little robe. She took it to him when she went up to Shiloh with her husband. She did it when her husband went to offer the yearly sacrifice. Reference

Sacrifice

1 Samuel 1:3 1 Samuel 1:21

20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife. He would say, "May the Lord give you children by this woman. May they take the place of the boy she prayed for and gave to him." Then they would go home. Reference

Blessing

Luke 2:34

21 The Lord was gracious to Hannah. She became pregnant. Over a period of years she had three more sons and two daughters. During that whole time the boy Samuel grew up serving the Lord. Reference

Parallel theme

Luke 2:40 Luke 1:80 Luke 2:52

References Lord

Genesis 21:1 1 Samuel 2:26 1 Samuel 3:19 Judges 13:24 Luke 1:68

22 Eli was very old. He kept hearing about everything his sons were doing to all of the people of Israel. He also heard how they were having sex with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Reference

Temple

Exodus 38:8

23 So Eli said to his sons, "Why are you doing those things? All of the people are telling me about the evil things you are doing.

24 No, my sons. The report I hear isn't good. And it's spreading among the Lord's people.

25 If a man sins against someone else, God can help that sinner. But if a man sins against the Lord, who can help him?" In spite of what their father Eli said, his sons didn't pay any attention to his warning. That's because the Lord had already decided to put them to death. Reference

Judgment

Psalm 51:4 Deuteronomy 1:17

Parallel theme

Proverbs 15:10 Hebrews 7:25 1 Timothy 2:5 2 Chronicles 25:16

References Lord

Joshua 11:20 Numbers 15:30

Sin

Hebrews 10:26 1 Samuel 3:14

26 The boy Samuel continued to grow stronger. He also became more and more pleasing to the Lord and to people. Reference

Parallel theme

Luke 2:52 Romans 14:18 Luke 2:40 Proverbs 3:3 Luke 1:80

References Lord

Acts 2:47 1 Samuel 2:21

27 A man of God came to Eli. He told him, "The Lord says, 'I made myself clearly known to your relatives who lived long ago. I did it when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh. Reference

References God

Exodus 4:27 Deuteronomy 33:1 1 Kings 13:1 Judges 13:6

28 I chose your father Aaron to be my priest. I chose him out of all of the tribes of Israel. I told him to go up to my altar. I told him to burn incense. I chose him to wear a linen apron when he served me. I also gave his family all of the offerings that are made with fire by the people of Israel. Reference

Creation

Leviticus 2:10 Leviticus 2:3

Parallel theme

Exodus 28:4 Leviticus 6:16

References Israel

Exodus 28:1

Sacrifice

Numbers 18:19

29 " 'Why do all of you laugh at my sacrifices and offerings? I require them to be brought to the house where I live. Why do you honor your sons more than me? Why do you fatten yourselves on the best parts of every offering that is made by my people Israel?' Reference

Parallel theme

Matthew 10:37 Deuteronomy 32:15 Luke 14:26

30 "The Lord is the God of Israel. He announced, 'I promised that your family and the family of Aaron would serve me as priests forever.' "But now the Lord announces, 'I will not let that happen! I will honor those who honor me. But I will turn away from those who look down on me. Reference

Parallel theme

John 12:26 Psalm 91:14 Exodus 29:9 John 5:23 1 Peter 1:7

References God

Psalm 50:23

References Lord

Malachi 1:6 2 Chronicles 15:2 Isaiah 29:13 Psalm 18:20

31 The time is coming when I will cut your life short. I will also cut short the lives of those in your family. No man in your family line will grow old.

32 " 'You will see nothing but trouble in the house where I live. Good things will still happen to Israel. But no man in your family line will ever grow old. Reference

Parallel theme

Zechariah 8:4

References God

1 Samuel 4:11

33 A member of your family will serve me at my altar. But what he does will bring tears to your eyes. Your heart will be sad. And the rest of the men in your family line will die while they are still young.

34 " 'Something is going to happen to your two sons Hophni and Phinehas. When it does, it will show you that what I am saying is true. They will both die on the same day. Reference

Parallel theme

1 Kings 13:3 1 Samuel 4:11 1 Samuel 4:17

35 " 'I will raise up for myself a faithful priest. He will do what my heart and mind want him to do. I will make his family line very secure. They will always serve as priests to my anointed king. Reference

Parallel theme

2 Samuel 7:27 2 Samuel 7:11 1 Kings 11:38 1 Samuel 25:28 Psalm 18:50 1 Kings 2:35

36 Everyone who is left in your family line will come and bow down to him. They will beg him for a piece of silver and a crust of bread. They will say, "Please give me a place to serve among the priests. Then I can have food to eat." ' " Reference

Parallel theme

1 Kings 2:27

Summary of 1 Samuel 2

1 Samuel chapter 2 begins with Hannah's prayer of praise after she has dedicated Samuel to the Lord. She sings of God's holiness, power, justice, and ability to raise the weak (1 Samuel 2:1-10). The chapter then contrasts Hannah's devotion with the wickedness of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas. Samuel continues to grow while serving at the tabernacle. God then sends a man of God to Eli with a severe message regarding the judgment that will befall his house because of the sins of his sons.

After leaving Samuel at Shiloh, Hannah prayed to the Lord. Her prayer was not merely a thanksgiving for having had a son who was dedicated to God, but a proclamation of God's nature.

Hannah rejoices because the Lord has answered her prayer. She says that her heart rejoices in the Lord, and her strength is lifted up. She has the assurance in her words that God has changed her situation.

She says that the Lord is holy and that there is none like Him. Furthermore, she says that no one should speak proudly or arrogantly, because the Lord knows all and weighs the works of men.

Hannah's prayer is one of reversal. God can bring down those who exalt themselves and bring up those who are lowly. He can make the poor rich and the rich poor. He can raise the needy to be among the princes.

These sayings of Hannah are particularly poignant because she has experienced such reversal in her life. She was mocked for not being able to have children, but God made her joyful in her son Samuel.

Hannah recognizes that God has life and death in His hands. He can bring to the grave and call back to life. He can make poor and make rich, bring low and lift up.

The prayer is then applied to something much greater than Hannah's needs. She speaks of God's judgment, His keeping His covenant people safe, and His power upon the earth. She even speaks of the Lord's king and His anointed, a concept that has not yet come to pass.

Following Hannah's prayer, we continue the story of Samuel. The child serves before the Lord under Eli the priest.

Every year when Hannah came up with Elkanah to offer up their yearly sacrifice, she brought Samuel a little coat, and she would give it to him as he served in the tabernacle.

Eli blessed Elkanah and Hannah, asking the Lord to give them another son since the one they had dedicated to the Lord was serving before His altar.

The Lord blessed Hannah, and she had three sons and two daughters. However, Samuel continued to grow before the Lord.

We are then introduced to Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who are presented as sons of Belial. They are wicked men who know not the Lord.

They should have been examples to the people of Israel of those who serve God, but instead, they abused their position.

When the people brought sacrifices to the Lord, Eli's sons would take portions of the meat as their own. Instead of doing the work required of the priests and then getting what was their portion, they demanded that the meat be given to them first. When the offerings were not ready, their servant would come with a three-pronged flesh hook and take whatever he desired from the vessel, the kettle, the pot, or the caldron.

They committed grievous sins with the women who served at the door of the Lord's tabernacle.

The sin of Eli's sons is great before the Lord because they have brought disgrace to the Lord's offerings. They have used their office to satisfy their own lusts.

Samuel, then, is presented as a wonderful contrast to Eli's sons. The child ministers before the Lord, while those who hold positions of honor and power continue to abuse their authority.

Samuel may be just a child, but he grows in the knowledge and presence of God. His simple ministry before God stands in sharp contrast to those who hold prominent positions in the nation.

The chapter then concludes with Eli's confrontation of his sons. He speaks to them regarding the wickedness of their ways and warns them that the Lord's people will transgress as a result.

Eli says that if a man sins against a man, then he should seek judgment before the Lord. If anyone sins against the Lord, then who will be able to intercede for him?

His sons, however, refused to listen to him. The reason for his inability to stop them is because the Lord had wanted to destroy them.

While Samuel continues to grow in stature and grace before the Lord, the people begin to realize that he is growing in popularity as well. A man of God comes to Eli bringing a message from the Lord.

The messenger reminds Eli of the great privilege that had been bestowed upon his family. God had chosen Aaron's descendants to serve amongst the tribes of Israel, making them priests, offering sacrifices, and standing in the presence of His holiness.

Eli's sons, however, have disdained the offerings given to God. They have honored themselves instead of honoring the Lord.

The Lord asks why Eli and his sons have shown greater honor to their own desires than they have to Him. He says that the privilege given to Eli's family would not continue in the same way because they have defied His will.

God will honor those who honor Him, and He will make those who despise Him to be lightly esteemed by others.

The man of God, then, gives Eli a sign that both of his sons would die on the same day. God will raise up a faithful priest who will serve Him in accordance with His heart and mind.

1 Samuel chapter 2 concludes with a warning about the future judgment upon Eli's sons. The honor given to them as priests will not continue because they have abused their position.

One of the most striking contrasts found in 1 Samuel chapter 2 is that of Hannah and Eli's sons. Hannah is blessed with a son and dedicates him to the Lord. Eli's sons receive great privilege from the Lord, but it has been abused for selfish gain.

Samuel is another contrast to Eli's sons. While the corrupt priests abuse the nation, a child grows in favor and grace before God.

The chapter also emphasizes the Lord seeing and responding to the wickedness despite the lack of action on the part of people in positions of power. Eli knows what his sons are doing, but his warnings are not heeded. God, therefore, announces judgment upon them.

Hannah's prayer at the beginning of the chapter is the clue to the events that will transpire. She sings praises to God because He can bring the mighty down and bring the humble up. The rest of the chapter is the fulfillment of her prayer as Samuel, a humble child, grows in stature and favor with the Lord. Meanwhile, Eli's sons have become corrupt.

The chapter emphasizes that positions of authority do not guarantee God's pleasure. The sons of Eli hold the title of priests, but their lives are filled with wickedness. Their position cannot save them from the judgment of God.

Furthermore, the chapter emphasizes that simple service before God can please Him. Samuel is not a leader or ruler in Israel, for he is only a child. He serves before the Lord, and he wears the little coat that Hannah brings to him every year when she comes up with her sacrifice. Yet God will prepare this servant for a great work.

1 Samuel chapter 2 moves the story from the personal prayer of Hannah to the larger issue of the spiritual condition of the nation. Hannah's faithfulness and Samuel's growth are in contrast to the corruption of Eli's sons. The chapter concludes with a warning from God that judgment is coming.

New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996

1 Samuel 2

Summary of 1 Samuel 2

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