1 Samuel 2 summary meaning ai explained commentary

1 Samuel 2 meaning explained in AI Summary

Hannah's Prayer and the Wickedness of Eli's Sons:

Hannah's Song of Thanksgiving (vv. 1-10): Overjoyed at Samuel's birth, Hannah sings a beautiful prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God. Her song celebrates God's power, justice, and faithfulness, contrasting His exaltation of the humble with His humbling of the proud.
Eli's Wicked Sons (vv. 12-17): In stark contrast to Hannah's piety, Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are corrupt priests. They abuse their position by taking the best portions of the sacrifices for themselves and engaging in sexual immorality with women who serve at the tabernacle.
Eli's Weak Reprimand (vv. 18-26): Eli hears about his sons' wickedness but only offers a weak rebuke. He fails to discipline them effectively, prioritizing their status over God's honor.
Prophecy Against Eli's House (vv. 27-36): A "man of God" arrives and delivers a harsh prophecy against Eli's family. Because Eli failed to restrain his sons' wickedness, God will judge his house, removing their priestly lineage and bringing calamity upon them.
Samuel's Ministry Begins (vv. 35-36): Amidst the prophecy of judgment, Samuel grows up serving the Lord under Eli's guidance. The chapter ends with a glimmer of hope as Samuel's faithfulness is contrasted with the corruption of Eli's sons.

Key Themes:

God's Sovereignty and Justice: Hannah's song highlights God's power to lift up the lowly and bring down the proud. This theme is echoed in the judgment against Eli's house, demonstrating that God holds leaders accountable for their actions and those under their authority.
Faithfulness vs. Corruption: The chapter contrasts Hannah and Samuel's faithfulness with the wickedness of Eli's sons. This highlights the importance of personal piety and obedience to God, regardless of one's position or lineage.
Consequences of Sin: Eli's failure to discipline his sons has devastating consequences for his family and their future. This serves as a warning about the dangers of tolerating sin and the importance of upholding God's standards.

Overall, 1 Samuel Chapter 2 sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow. It introduces key characters, establishes important themes, and foreshadows the coming judgment on Eli's house and the rise of Samuel as a faithful leader in Israel.

1 Samuel 2 bible study ai commentary

This chapter presents the theme of divine reversal. God humbles the proud and powerful while exalting the humble and righteous. This principle is first declared poetically in Hannah’s song and then demonstrated narratively through the contrast between the failing, corrupt house of Eli the High Priest and the rising, faithful service of the boy Samuel. The chapter prophesies the end of one priestly line and the establishment of another, ultimately pointing to a future Anointed King and Priest.

1 Samuel 2 Context

The setting is the era of the Judges, a period of political and spiritual anarchy in Israel, encapsulated by the phrase "everyone did what was right in their own eyes" (Judg 21:25). The central sanctuary, housing the Ark of the Covenant, was at Shiloh. Eli, the High Priest, represented the established religious authority. However, this chapter reveals a deep corruption at the very heart of Israel’s worship, setting the stage for a divine intervention and a shift in leadership from the priestly line of Eli to the prophetic and judicial leadership of Samuel.

1 Samuel 2:1-10

And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. “There is none holy like the LORD; for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. 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. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. 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. The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he also exalts. 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. “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. 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 horn of his anointed.”

In-depth-analysis

The Song of Hannah: This poetic prayer is a theological cornerstone of the book. It establishes the theme of divine reversal, where God overturns human fortunes and expectations.
v. 1, Horn (Hebrew: qeren): A symbol of strength, power, and honor. Hannah's status, once low due to barrenness, is now high. Her strength is "in the LORD," not in herself.
v. 2, Rock (tsur): God is a refuge and source of stability, a common metaphor for Yahweh's unchanging character.
v. 3-8, The Great Reversal: A series of antithetical statements declaring God's sovereign control over all aspects of life: strength and weakness, wealth and poverty, life and death. The arrogant are humbled, the feeble strengthened; the full go hungry, the hungry are fed; the barren is fruitful, the fruitful is forlorn.
v. 6, Sheol: The Hebrew conception of the grave or the realm of the dead. God's sovereignty extends even over life and death.
v. 8, Pillars of the earth: A poetic depiction of God's role as the creator and sustainer of the world, underpinning His right to govern it.
v. 9, Faithful ones (hasidim): A term for those in a loyal covenant relationship with God. God protects His own.
v. 10, King...Anointed (melek...mashiach): This is a climactic and highly significant prophecy.
- At this time, Israel had no king. Hannah’s prayer looks forward to the establishment of the monarchy.
- "Anointed" (mashiach) is the origin of the word "Messiah." This is one of the earliest explicit references to a future, divinely-empowered royal figure who will execute God's judgment and rule. It points first to David, but ultimately to Christ.

Bible references

Luke 1:46-55: 'My soul magnifies the Lord...He has scattered the proud...he has filled the hungry with good things...' (Mary's Magnificat directly echoes the themes, structure, and language of Hannah's song).
Luke 1:69: 'And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David...' (Zechariah's prophecy uses the same "horn" imagery for the Messiah).
Psalm 113:7-8: 'He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes...' (A near-direct quote of verse 8, showing this was a central theme in Israelite worship).
Matthew 28:18: 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.' (The ultimate fulfillment of God judging the ends of the earth through His Anointed).

Cross references

Psa 18:2 (God as rock), Psa 75:7 (God puts down one, exalts another), Deut 32:39 (I kill, I make alive), Job 5:11 (sets on high those who are lowly), Phil 2:8-9 (Christ humbled, then exalted), 1 Cor 1:27-29 (God chose the weak), James 4:6 (God opposes the proud), Psa 2:2 (kings conspire against the LORD and his Anointed).

Polemics: Hannah’s song serves as a powerful polemic against the Ancient Near Eastern deities, particularly the Canaanite gods like Baal, who were seen as capricious nature gods tied to cycles of fertility. Hannah portrays Yahweh as the sovereign Lord of history, justice, and social order, who actively intervenes to uphold the cause of the humble and righteous, independent of natural forces.

1 Samuel 2:11-17

Then Elkanah went home to Ramah. And the boy was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli the priest. Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the LORD. The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, and he would thrust it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give meat for the priest to roast, for he will not accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.” And if the man said to him, “Let them burn the fat first, and then take as much as you wish,” he would say, “No, you must give it now, and if not, I will take it by force.” Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD, for the men treated the offering of the LORD with contempt.

In-depth-analysis

Contrast: The narrative immediately shifts from Hannah's lofty prayer and Samuel's proper service (v. 11) to the deep corruption of Eli's house.
v. 12, Worthless men: The Hebrew is beney beliyya'al, "sons of worthlessness." This is a moral and spiritual indictment, not just a description of incompetence.
Did not know the LORD: This is not about a lack of intellectual information. In Hebrew thought, "to know" (yada) implies an intimate, relational, and obedient knowledge. They were official priests but had no personal relationship with the God they served.
v. 13-16, The Sin: Their corruption was twofold and a direct violation of God's law.
1. The Portion: They used a fork to take a random, greedy portion, violating the specific portions allotted to priests by the Law (Lev 7:28-34; Deut 18:3).
2. The Fat: More egregiously, they took the meat before the fat was burned on the altar. The fat was considered the best part and was reserved exclusively for God as a pleasing aroma (Lev 3:16, "All fat is the LORD’s."). By taking it, they were robbing God directly.
v. 17, Contempt for the LORD's offering: This is the summary of their sin. They despised the very system of worship they were supposed to administer. Their actions demonstrated a profound lack of fear and reverence for God.

Bible references

Leviticus 3:16: '...All the fat is the LORD's.' (The specific law Eli's sons broke, showing they were robbing God).
Malachi 1:6-8: '“O priests, who despise my name.” ...But you say, “How have we despised your name?” By offering polluted food upon my altar.' (A later prophet condemns priests for the same attitude of contempt).
Romans 1:21: 'For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him...' (Describes the universal human condition that was manifest in Hophni and Phinehas).

Cross references

Lev 7:31-34 (priest's portion defined), Num 18:8-12 (offerings for priests), Jer 22:17 (eyes and heart on dishonest gain), Ezek 34:2-3 (shepherds feeding themselves).

1 Samuel 2:18-21

Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy clothed with a linen ephod. And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the LORD give you children by this woman for the loan that she has lent to the LORD.” So then they would go back home. Indeed the LORD visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the LORD.

In-depth-analysis

The Second Contrast: This section is placed deliberately to highlight the stark difference between Samuel's purity and the corruption of Hophni and Phinehas.
v. 18, Linen ephod: While the High Priest wore an elaborate ephod, a simple linen ephod could be worn by other priests or those in sacred service (like David in 2 Sam 6:14). It marks Samuel out for special, priestly service from a young age.
v. 20-21, Reversal Fulfilled: Hannah, who sang about the barren bearing seven (v. 5), is blessed with five more children. God fulfills the principles of her song in her own life. Her one "loan" to the Lord is repaid multiple times over.
Grew in the presence of the LORD: This phrase bookends the section (see v. 26), emphasizing that Samuel's development was spiritual and God-centered, in direct opposition to the sons of Eli who "did not know the LORD."

Bible references

Luke 2:52: 'And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.' (The growth of Samuel is often seen as a type or foreshadowing of the growth of Jesus).
Proverbs 22:6: 'Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.' (Hannah's dedication of Samuel is a prime example of this principle).
2 Samuel 6:14: 'And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might.' (Shows the ephod was not exclusive to the high priest).

Cross references

Ex 28:4 (ephod as priestly garment), Psa 84:10 (value of serving God), Lk 2:40 (child Jesus grew strong).

1 Samuel 2:22-26

Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death. Now the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man.

In-depth-analysis

Escalation of Sin: The sons' sin moves from sacrilege against offerings to sexual immorality at the sanctuary itself. They were profaning holy ground and exploiting female worshippers. The women "serving" (tsava) at the entrance (see Ex 38:8) had a designated role.
Eli’s Failure: His rebuke is passive and weak. "Why do you do such things?" is a feeble question, not a strong act of judgment befitting a High Priest and judge. He fails to remove them from their priestly office, thus prioritizing his sons over God's honor.
v. 25, Divine Sovereignty: "it was the will of the LORD to put them to death." This is a profound theological statement. It does not negate their own culpability. Rather, it shows that their hearts were so hardened that they had passed a point of no return, and God was now using their rebellion to enact His sovereign plan of judgment.
v. 26, The Final Contrast: The chapter section concludes by again juxtaposing the degenerate priestly line with the rising star of Samuel, who grows physically, spiritually, and in reputation. This verse is an almost verbatim parallel to the description of the young Jesus in Luke 2:52.

Bible references

Exodus 38:8: 'He made the basin of bronze...from the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered at the entrance of the tent of meeting.' (Establishes the precedent for women serving at the sanctuary).
Romans 9:17-18: 'For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up...” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.' (Explains the principle of divine hardening for the purpose of judgment).
Deuteronomy 21:18-21: The law for a stubborn and rebellious son required decisive action from the parents and community, leading to execution. Eli fails to enact this principle.

Cross references

Josh 22:22 (sinning against the Lord), Rom 1:32 (those who practice such things deserve to die), Isa 6:10 (make the heart of this people dull), Prov 3:4 (find favor in sight of God and man).

1 Samuel 2:27-36

And there came a man of God to Eli and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Did I not reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt, slaves to the house of Pharaoh? Did I not choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel. Why then do you scorn my sacrifice and my offering that I commanded for my dwelling, and honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?’ Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.’ Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. Then in distress you will look with envious eye on all the prosperity that shall be bestowed on Israel, and there shall not be an old man in your house forever. The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep his eyes out to grieve his heart, and all the descendants of your house shall die by the sword of men. And this that shall come upon your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you: both of them shall die on the same day. And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever. And everyone who is left in your house shall come to bow down to him for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread and shall say, “Please put me in one of the priests' places, that I may eat a morsel of bread.”’”

In-depth-analysis

Man of God: An anonymous prophet delivers the oracle, emphasizing that the message comes from God, not a human source.
The Charge (v. 29): The core accusation against Eli is explicitly stated: "you honor your sons more than me." He was complicit in their sin by failing to stop them and by benefiting from it.
Broken Promise (v. 30): God revokes the unconditional promise of a perpetual priesthood for Eli's line (a descendant of Aaron through Ithamar). This is conditioned by a new principle: "those who honor me I will honor." Covenants, while divinely initiated, require human faithfulness.
The Judgment (v. 31-34):
1. Loss of strength and premature death for his descendants.
2. His line will witness Israel's prosperity from a position of distress.
3. A remnant will survive only to experience grief.
4. A sign: Hophni and Phinehas will die on the same day.
The Promise (v. 35): This is the second great prophecy of the chapter. God promises to raise up "a faithful priest" who will have a "sure house" (a lasting dynasty).
- Immediate Fulfillment: Samuel, who acts as a priest, and later Zadok, who officially replaces Eli's line under Solomon.
- Ultimate Fulfillment: Jesus Christ, the perfect and eternal High Priest (Hebrews 7).
Before my anointed forever: The work of the faithful priest is intrinsically linked to God's anointed king (mashiach). The priesthood and kingship are to work in harmony.
The Final Humiliation (v. 36): Eli's once-proud descendants will be reduced to begging for a meager living from the new priestly line, a complete fulfillment of the chapter's reversal theme.

Bible references

1 Kings 2:27: 'So Solomon expelled Abiathar from being priest to the LORD, to fulfill the word of the LORD that he had spoken concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.' (The direct, historical fulfillment of the prophecy against Eli's house).
Hebrews 7:23-25: 'The former priests were many in number...but he holds his priesthood permanently...He is able to save to the uttermost...' (Jesus as the ultimate "faithful priest" with a "sure house" and an eternal ministry).
Exodus 29:9: '...and the priesthood shall be theirs by a statute forever.' (The original promise of a perpetual priesthood to Aaron's line, now being amended due to unfaithfulness).
1 Samuel 4:11: 'The ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.' (The fulfillment of the prophetic sign).

Cross references

Num 25:11-13 (Phinehas's zeal secures a covenant of priesthood), Jer 23:1-2 (against bad shepherds), Ezek 44:10-16 (distinctions between priestly lines based on faithfulness), Heb 5:4 (one does not take honor for himself).

1 Samuel 2 Chapter analysis

Structural Parallelism: The chapter is brilliantly structured as a diptych. Hannah’s Song (vv. 1-10) is a theological poem about divine reversal. The following narrative (vv. 11-36) is the historical prose that demonstrates this exact principle: the fall of the arrogant and corrupt (Eli's house) and the rise of the humble and faithful (Hannah and Samuel).
From Barrenness to Life, From Life to the Grave: The chapter begins with Hannah, once barren, rejoicing over new life. It ends with a prophecy of death and the cutting off of Eli's fruitful lineage. This forms a powerful chiastic (crossing) structure for the entire chapter.
The Anointed King and the Faithful Priest: The chapter introduces two messianic figures who will define Israel's future and find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The "anointed" king (mashiach) in verse 10 and the "faithful priest" in verse 35 are destined to work in harmony under God's authority. This sets the theological trajectory for the rest of the Old Testament.

1 Samuel 2 summary

Hannah delivers a prophetic song celebrating God's power to reverse human fortunes, exalting the humble and judging the proud. This theme is then lived out as the narrative contrasts the faithful boy Samuel with the corrupt and sacrilegious sons of the High Priest, Eli. Eli's weak leadership and his sons' contempt for God's offerings lead to a divine prophecy: Eli's priestly house will be cut off. In its place, God promises to raise a faithful priest who will serve His anointed king, pointing immediately to Samuel and ultimately to Christ.

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1 Samuel chapter 2 kjv

¹ 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.
² There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
³ 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.
⁴ The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
⁵ 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.
⁶ The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
⁷ The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
⁸ 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.
⁹ He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
¹⁰ 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.
¹¹ And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.
¹² Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.
¹³ And the priest's 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;
¹⁴ 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.
¹⁵ 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.
¹⁶ 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.
¹⁷ Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
¹⁸ But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
¹⁹ Moreover 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.
²⁰ 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.
²¹ And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
²² 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.
²³ And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.
²⁴ Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD's people to transgress.
²⁵ If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.
²⁶ And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with the LORD, and also with men.
²⁷ And 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?
²⁸ And 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?
²⁹ Wherefore 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?
³⁰ 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 honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
³¹ Behold, 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.
³² 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.
³³ 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.
³⁴ And 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.
³⁵ 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.
³⁶ 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.

1 Samuel chapter 2 nkjv

¹ And Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation.
² "No one is holy like the LORD, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.
³ "Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the LORD is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed.
⁴ "The bows of the mighty men are broken, And those who stumbled are girded with strength.
⁵ Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, And the hungry have ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven, And she who has many children has become feeble.
⁶ "The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up.
⁷ The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up.
⁸ He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory. "For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, And He has set the world upon them.
⁹ He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. "For by strength no man shall prevail.
¹⁰ The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. "He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed."
¹¹ Then Elkanah went to his house at Ramah. But the child ministered to the LORD before Eli the priest.
¹² Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the LORD.
¹³ And the priests' custom with the people was that when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged fleshhook in his hand while the meat was boiling.
¹⁴ Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; and the priest would take for himself all that the fleshhook brought up. So they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there.
¹⁵ Also, before they burned the fat, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who sacrificed, "Give meat for roasting to the priest, for he will not take boiled meat from you, but raw."
¹⁶ And if the man said to him, "They should really burn the fat first; then you may take as much as your heart desires," he would then answer him, "No, but you must give it now; and if not, I will take it by force."
¹⁷ Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
¹⁸ But Samuel ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod.
¹⁹ Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
²⁰ And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, "The LORD give you descendants from this woman for the loan that was given to the LORD." Then they would go to their own home.
²¹ And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
²² Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
²³ So he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people.
²⁴ No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the LORD's people transgress.
²⁵ If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?" Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the LORD desired to kill them.
²⁶ And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the LORD and men.
²⁷ Then a man of God came to Eli and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: 'Did I not clearly reveal Myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?
²⁸ Did I not choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest, to offer upon My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod before Me? And did I not give to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire?
²⁹ Why do you kick at My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling place, and honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people?'
³⁰ Therefore the LORD God of Israel says: 'I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.' But now the LORD says: 'Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.
³¹ Behold, the days are coming that I will cut off your arm and the arm of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your house.
³² And you will see an enemy in My dwelling place, despite all the good which God does for Israel. And there shall not be an old man in your house forever.
³³ But any of your men whom I do not cut off from My altar shall consume your eyes and grieve your heart. And all the descendants of your house shall die in the flower of their age.
³⁴ Now this shall be a sign to you that will come upon your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they shall die, both of them.
³⁵ Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever.
³⁶ And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and say, "Please, put me in one of the priestly positions, that I may eat a piece of bread." ' "

1 Samuel chapter 2 niv

¹ Then Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.
² "There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
³ "Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.
⁴ "The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
⁵ Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.
⁶ "The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up.
⁷ The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.
⁸ He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. "For the foundations of the earth are the LORD's; on them he has set the world.
⁹ He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness. "It is not by strength that one prevails;
¹⁰ those who oppose the LORD will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth. "He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed."
¹¹ Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the LORD under Eli the priest.
¹² Eli's sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the LORD.
¹³ Now it was the practice of the priests that, whenever any of the people offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand while the meat was being boiled
¹⁴ and would plunge the fork into the pan or kettle or caldron or pot. Whatever the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh.
¹⁵ But even before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the person who was sacrificing, "Give the priest some meat to roast; he won't accept boiled meat from you, but only raw."
¹⁶ If the person said to him, "Let the fat be burned first, and then take whatever you want," the servant would answer, "No, hand it over now; if you don't, I'll take it by force."
¹⁷ This sin of the young men was very great in the LORD's sight, for they were treating the LORD's offering with contempt.
¹⁸ But Samuel was ministering before the LORD?a boy wearing a linen ephod.
¹⁹ Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.
²⁰ Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, "May the LORD give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the LORD." Then they would go home.
²¹ And the LORD was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.
²² Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
²³ So he said to them, "Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours.
²⁴ No, my sons; the report I hear spreading among the LORD's people is not good.
²⁵ If one person sins against another, God may mediate for the offender; but if anyone sins against the LORD, who will intercede for them?" His sons, however, did not listen to their father's rebuke, for it was the LORD's will to put them to death.
²⁶ And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with people.
²⁷ Now a man of God came to Eli and said to him, "This is what the LORD says: 'Did I not clearly reveal myself to your ancestor's family when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh?
²⁸ I chose your ancestor out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in my presence. I also gave your ancestor's family all the food offerings presented by the Israelites.
²⁹ Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?'
³⁰ "Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.' But now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.
³¹ The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your priestly house, so that no one in it will reach old age,
³² and you will see distress in my dwelling. Although good will be done to Israel, no one in your family line will ever reach old age.
³³ Every one of you that I do not cut off from serving at my altar I will spare only to destroy your sight and sap your strength, and all your descendants will die in the prime of life.
³⁴ "?'And what happens to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be a sign to you?they will both die on the same day.
³⁵ I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his priestly house, and they will minister before my anointed one always.
³⁶ Then everyone left in your family line will come and bow down before him for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread and plead, "Appoint me to some priestly office so I can have food to eat."?'?"

1 Samuel chapter 2 esv

¹ And Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.
² "There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.
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 horn of his anointed."
¹¹ Then Elkanah went home to Ramah. And the boy was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli the priest.
¹² Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the LORD.
¹³ The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand,
¹⁴ and he would thrust it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there.
¹⁵ Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, "Give meat for the priest to roast, for he will not accept boiled meat from you but only raw."
¹⁶ And if the man said to him, "Let them burn the fat first, and then take as much as you wish," he would say, "No, you must give it now, and if not, I will take it by force."
¹⁷ Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD, for the men treated the offering of the LORD with contempt.
¹⁸ Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy clothed with a linen ephod.
¹⁹ And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
²⁰ Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, "May the LORD give you children by this woman for the petition she asked of the LORD." So then they would return to their home.
²¹ Indeed the LORD visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the LORD.
²² Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
²³ And he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people.
²⁴ No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad.
²⁵ If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death.
²⁶ Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man.
²⁷ And there came a man of God to Eli and said to him, "Thus says the LORD, 'Did I indeed reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt subject to the house of Pharaoh?
²⁸ Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel.
²⁹ Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded for my dwelling, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?'
³⁰ Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,' but now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
³¹ Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your house.
³² Then in distress you will look with envious eye on all the prosperity that shall be bestowed on Israel, and there shall not be an old man in your house forever.
³³ The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep his eyes out to grieve his heart, and all the descendants of your house shall die by the sword of men.
³⁴ And this that shall come upon your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you: both of them shall die on the same day.
³⁵ And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever.
³⁶ And everyone who is left in your house shall come to implore him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread and shall say, "Please put me in one of the priests' places, that I may eat a morsel of bread."'"

1 Samuel chapter 2 nlt

¹ Then Hannah prayed: "My heart rejoices in the LORD!
The LORD has made me strong.
Now I have an answer for my enemies;
I rejoice because you rescued me.
² No one is holy like the LORD!
There is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
³ "Stop acting so proud and haughty!
Don't speak with such arrogance!
For the LORD is a God who knows what you have done;
he will judge your actions.
⁴ The bow of the mighty is now broken,
and those who stumbled are now strong.
⁵ Those who were well fed are now starving,
and those who were starving are now full.
The childless woman now has seven children,
and the woman with many children wastes away.
⁶ The LORD gives both death and life;
he brings some down to the grave but raises others up.
⁷ The LORD makes some poor and others rich;
he brings some down and lifts others up.
⁸ He lifts the poor from the dust
and the needy from the garbage dump.
He sets them among princes,
placing them in seats of honor.
For all the earth is the LORD's,
and he has set the world in order.
⁹ "He will protect his faithful ones,
but the wicked will disappear in darkness.
No one will succeed by strength alone.
¹⁰ Those who fight against the LORD will be shattered.
He thunders against them from heaven;
the LORD judges throughout the earth.
He gives power to his king;
he increases the strength of his anointed one."
¹¹ Then Elkanah returned home to Ramah without Samuel. And the boy served the LORD by assisting Eli the priest.
¹² Now the sons of Eli were scoundrels who had no respect for the LORD
¹³ or for their duties as priests. Whenever anyone offered a sacrifice, Eli's sons would send over a servant with a three-pronged fork. While the meat of the sacrificed animal was still boiling,
¹⁴ the servant would stick the fork into the pot and demand that whatever it brought up be given to Eli's sons. All the Israelites who came to worship at Shiloh were treated this way.
¹⁵ Sometimes the servant would come even before the animal's fat had been burned on the altar. He would demand raw meat before it had been boiled so that it could be used for roasting.
¹⁶ The man offering the sacrifice might reply, "Take as much as you want, but the fat must be burned first." Then the servant would demand, "No, give it to me now, or I'll take it by force."
¹⁷ So the sin of these young men was very serious in the LORD's sight, for they treated the LORD's offerings with contempt.
¹⁸ But Samuel, though he was only a boy, served the LORD. He wore a linen garment like that of a priest.
¹⁹ Each year his mother made a small coat for him and brought it to him when she came with her husband for the sacrifice.
²⁰ Before they returned home, Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, "May the LORD give you other children to take the place of this one she gave to the LORD. "
²¹ And the LORD blessed Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.
²² Now Eli was very old, but he was aware of what his sons were doing to the people of Israel. He knew, for instance, that his sons were seducing the young women who assisted at the entrance of the Tabernacle.
²³ Eli said to them, "I have been hearing reports from all the people about the wicked things you are doing. Why do you keep sinning?
²⁴ You must stop, my sons! The reports I hear among the LORD's people are not good.
²⁵ If someone sins against another person, God can mediate for the guilty party. But if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede?" But Eli's sons wouldn't listen to their father, for the LORD was already planning to put them to death.
²⁶ Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew taller and grew in favor with the LORD and with the people.
²⁷ One day a man of God came to Eli and gave him this message from the LORD: "I revealed myself to your ancestors when they were Pharaoh's slaves in Egypt.
²⁸ I chose your ancestor Aaron from among all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer sacrifices on my altar, to burn incense, and to wear the priestly vest as he served me. And I assigned the sacrificial offerings to you priests.
²⁹ So why do you scorn my sacrifices and offerings? Why do you give your sons more honor than you give me ? for you and they have become fat from the best offerings of my people Israel!
³⁰ "Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I promised that your branch of the tribe of Levi would always be my priests. But I will honor those who honor me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me.
³¹ The time is coming when I will put an end to your family, so it will no longer serve as my priests. All the members of your family will die before their time. None will reach old age.
³² You will watch with envy as I pour out prosperity on the people of Israel. But no members of your family will ever live out their days.
³³ The few not cut off from serving at my altar will survive, but only so their eyes can go blind and their hearts break, and their children will die a violent death.
³⁴ And to prove that what I have said will come true, I will cause your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, to die on the same day!
³⁵ "Then I will raise up a faithful priest who will serve me and do what I desire. I will establish his family, and they will be priests to my anointed kings forever.
³⁶ Then all of your surviving family will bow before him, begging for money and food. 'Please,' they will say, 'give us jobs among the priests so we will have enough to eat.'"