Hannah's Prayer

This prayer is much more than simply a thank you.  Whether through her own insight or the inspiration of the Spirit it is clear Hannah sees more in the birth of Samuel that simply the production of a son.

1Sam 2:1-10

(1)   And Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.

Hannah’s heart “exults” or jumps for joy “in the Lord.”  Her “strength” (horn) is exalted?  Yes, she is raised from her disgrace and consternation.  She “derides” (speaks broadly against) those who were hostile to her.

Wow – I see here an appropriate reaction to being redeemed.  Hannah has been lifted up, restored.  Those who were hostile to her are thwarted by God and Hannah is not hesitant to point out their error and God’s redemption.

(2)   "There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.

In her jubilation Hannah makes the point that this is God’s doing and that He is all that he says He is.  Note that though we might expect her to praise God’s ability and goodness it is His holiness, singularity and steadfastness that she praises.  In light of what follows in scripture in the life of Israel these are the characteristics that are forgotten – which Samuel will remind the people of.

(3)   Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.  (4)  The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength.  (5)  Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.  (6)  The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.  (7)  The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts.  (8)  He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on them he has set the world.  (9)  "He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.  (10)  The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the power of his anointed."

What has this to do with God’s answer to her prayer?  Little and much.  Though the provision of a son to Hannah is, in the scope of everything, a little thing it is to be much more.  Hannah speaks of a world set on its head or about to be.  What is the status quo is not to remain so for long.  What the people see as the way things are and ought to be is going to be radically challenged.

The coming of Samuel, though a great blessing to Hannah is an even greater blessing to, “His faithful ones.”  The rebellious and rejecting, the unfaithful will not hear from God concerning their ways.  He will cut them off in darkness.  He is the Lord Almighty.

Do not limit these words to the Canaanites or Philistines.  Certainly they were enemies of Israel and enemies to God but among them were numbered Israelites as well.  They were the un-remnant, those who did what was right in their own eyes.  They too would be the recipients of God’s judgment.  If we accept that the true Israel is comprised of a mere remnant then the rest of Israel (the un-remnant) were as much enemies of God as the surrounding pagans.

As we can see in the earlier books and will see in the later the scriptures are not about the individuals or the people groups.  Ok, they are but they are not just about them.  We make a great error when we narrow our perception of what’s going on in scripture to just the immediate.  The immediate does indeed hold wisdom and instruction for us.  But there is nothing in scripture that does not apply directly to God’s redemptive plan.  The trees make the forest but it’s the forest that we must keep in mind.  The whole is the sum of its parts and we cannot allow the whole to fade in our attention.

Hannah’s prayer is much more than a grateful mom’s thank you.  It is much more than just a God is Great prayer.  It is also a, “here’s what’s coming.”  To call it a prayer in which prophecy is to be found is not at all off the mark.  God, through Hannah is warning everyone of exactly what is the result of her answered prayer.  It is not just the addition of one more apprentice to the shrine at Shiloh it is the beginning of a time of judgment.  It is the beginning of God making it plain that what everyone thinks is right isn’t.

Her final line is glorious:

“He will give strength to his king and exalt the power of his anointed."

Though surely this can apply to Saul (for a time) and David we all know it refers to the King of King, God’s anointed Redeemer, the Christ or if you prefer, the Messiah.

This line hangs there giving hope and a promise to its contemporary readers and confirmation to those in Christ.

Father, how much greater are Your plans and workings than my eyes can take in or my mind receive.  Indeed things are not as they appear from our perspective but we know You are working Your plan and that we only see, know and understand in part.  Thank you for making that so clear to us in the stories You have preserved for us.  Please secure that truth in our minds and hearts that we might have a constant comfort.