Skip to Content

1 Samuel

Changes this passage only. Set your default for every passage.

1 Samuel 2

Commentary · verses 1-10

Verses 1-10: Hannah's prayer.

1And Hannah prayed, and said: My heart exulteth in Jehovah; My horn is exalted in Jehovah; My mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; Because I rejoice in thy salvation.

2There is none holy as Jehovah; For there is none besides thee, Neither is there any rock like our God.

1And 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.

2There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

Commentary · verse 2

Hannah had a great understanding of God.

3Talk no more so exceeding proudly; Let not arrogancy come out of your mouth; For Jehovah is a God of knowledge, And by him actions are weighed.

3Talk 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.

Commentary · verse 3

God is Judge. "Talk" can be seen as an action when it is an effect of pride. God judges our actions according to Justice.

4The bows of the mighty men are broken; And they that stumbled are girded with strength.

5They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; And they that were hungry have ceased to hunger: Yea, the barren hath borne seven; And she that hath many children languisheth.

6Jehovah killeth, and maketh alive: He bringeth down to Sheol, and bringeth up.

7Jehovah maketh poor, and maketh rich: He bringeth low, he also lifteth up.

8He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, He lifteth up the needy from the dunghill, To make them sit with princes, And inherit the throne of glory: For the pillars of the earth are Jehovah’s, And he hath set the world upon them.

4The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

5They 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.

6The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

7The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

8He 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.

Commentary · verse 8

Hannah gave many past examples of God judging in response to Justice. Every verse was stated in past tense. The next verses can be seen as Hannah's request from God for the future stated as a foregone conclusion because of her faith. Notice how each verse used the words will and shall.

9He will keep the feet of his holy ones; But the wicked shall be put to silence in darkness; For by strength shall no man prevail.

10They that strive with Jehovah shall be broken to pieces; Against them will he thunder in heaven: Jehovah will judge the ends of the earth; And he will give strength unto his king, And exalt the horn of his anointed.

9He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

10The 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.

Commentary · verse 10

Again, Hannah had great understanding of God. She included a lot of Doctrine regarding God's Nature and character in her prayer. Hannah prayed and rejoiced after she gave Samuel to God. Hannah was the ninth example of an excellent woman during the time Israel was led by God through Judges.

11And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto Jehovah before Eli the priest.

11And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.

Commentary · verse 11

Samuel served God in Eli's presence. In Hebrews 11:32, Samuel was identified as an example of faith.

12Now the sons of Eli were base men; they knew not Jehovah.

12Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.

Commentary · verse 12

Eli's sons did not know God. They were called "base men." However, the KJV stated that they were "sons of Belial." "Belial" came from the Hebrew word bĕliya`al which meant "worthless, good for nothing, unprofitable, base fellow." The men of Belial, who were in Gibeah, were also the group of people who "abused" the concubine to the death in Judges 20.

13And the custom of the priests with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was boiling, with a flesh-hook of three teeth in his hand; 14and he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the flesh-hook brought up the priest took therewith. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.

15Yea, 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 boiled flesh of thee, but raw.

16And if the man said unto him, They will surely burn the fat first, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would say, Nay, but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.

17And the sin of the young men was very great before Jehovah; for the men despised the offering of Jehovah.

13And the priests’ custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;

14And 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.

15Also 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.

16And 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.

17Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

Commentary · verses 13-17

Eli's sons despised the offerings of God, also referred to as "abhorring" the offerings of God. If Eli's sons caused the people to despise the offering of the Lord, then this was a sin against God and the nation. It was bad enough what they did themselves but the greater issue was that they caused the Israelites to stumble.

18But Samuel ministered before Jehovah, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.

19Moreover his mother made him a little robe, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

18But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.

19Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

Commentary · verses 18-19

Samuel's mother would come to see him every year.

20And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, Jehovah give thee seed of this woman for the petition which was asked of Jehovah. And they went unto their own home.

21And Jehovah visited Hannah, and she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before Jehovah.

20And 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.

21And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.

Commentary · verses 20-21

Hannah had three more sons and two daughters because God opened her womb. Hannah's reward for dedicating Samuel to God was five more children.

22Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did unto all Israel, and how that they lay with the women that did service at the door of the tent of meeting.

23And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings from all this people.

24Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make Jehovah’s people to transgress.

22Now 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.

23And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.

24Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD’s people to transgress.

Commentary · verses 22-24

Eli asked his sons why they did such evil things. Eli's sons essentially made these Israelite women into prostitutes, which was against God's Law (Deuteronomy 23:17). Eli's sons caused God's people to transgress. This verse confirmed the sons had sinned against God and the nation.

25If one man sin against another, God shall judge him; but if a man sin against Jehovah, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding, they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because Jehovah was minded to slay them.

26And the child Samuel grew on, and increased in favor both with Jehovah, and also with men.

25If 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.

26And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.

Commentary · verses 25-26

Eli confronted his sons and his sons ignored him. Was this all Eli was required to do towards his sons? Meanwhile, Samuel grew in favor with God and with men.

27And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Did I reveal myself unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh’s house?

28and did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up unto mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire?

29Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation, and honorest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

27And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh’s house?

28And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

29Wherefore 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?

Commentary · verses 27-29

A "man of God" (angel?) asked Eli why he honored his sons more than God. It seemed Eli was enabling his sons' behavior. Apparently, God wanted more than a confrontation from Eli towards his sons.

30Therefore Jehovah, the God of Israel, saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now Jehovah saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

30Wherefore 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.

Commentary · verse 30

God recognized His promise to Eli, however, God could not be unjust. God's Nature is Right and Just. God is unable to do anything that is wrong or unjust. There were two ways to look at this verse:

  1. God changed His Nature and contradicted Himself. God did this when He lied about a promise He made because He knew the future and actually knew it was something He was not going to do.
  • or -
  1. God is Right and Just. God made a promise that was guided by Right and Just. At the time the promise was made, it was Right and Just to keep. However, at this time, it would be unjust to continue to keep this promise based on the free will choices made by Eli and his sons.

Which option do you believe is right?

The second option was right, which was why God concluded this verse with a statement that referenced Justice. Also, it was impossible for God to lie: Titus 1:2 and Hebrews 6:18.

31Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father’s house, that there shall not be an old man in thy house.

32And thou shalt behold the affliction of my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel; and there shall not be an old man in thy house for ever.

33And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thy heart; and all the increase of thy house shall die in the flower of their age.

34And this shall be the sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they shall die both of them.

31Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father’s house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.

32And 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.

33And 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.

34And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.

Commentary · verses 31-34

God declared what was His Just response to Eli's and his sons' choices. Both of Eli's sons would die on the same day. This was not only Just, but a sign to Eli and Israel that God's Words were being accomplished. This did not mean Eli did not continue to correct his sons. God gave Eli a big picture explanation of what would happen and how Eli would know when it happened.

35And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in my heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

36And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thy house shall come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests’ offices, that I may eat a morsel of bread.

35And 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.

36And 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.

Up and down arrows move between verses, Enter selects one, Shift with an arrow takes in a run. Tab then reaches Save, Add Note and Copy.