Read: 1 Samuel 2:1-11
Hannah's song: Rejoicing in what God has done in her life, Hannah offers her son for God's service, and now she offers a prayer. It is a prayer of praise, worship and thanksgiving. The prayer is a psalm, which has parallelism and symbolism. Many of the themes of this song are found in the Magnificat of Mary (Luke 1:46-56).
The song both starts and ends with the declaration that the Lord exalts. The verb translated as "exalt" appears also in verse 7, 8 and 10 and expresses the theme of the song. The song puts the birth and the life of Samuel in the context of the all powerful saving acts of God. It starts with Hannah's emotions, but it is not about gloating over Peninnah. Hannah glorifies the Lord for His guidance in human affairs. Hannah alternates between the themes of the Lord's holy sovereignty and the reversal of human fortunes.
Hannah's prophetic word of faith that 'she who was barren has borne seven children' is remarkable. Hannah herself bore only six children including Samuel, but 'seven' is a poetic number for perfection. Hannah affirms that the Lord is sovereign over life, for He created and owns the world. The song concludes with a plea to the Lord to raise the King of Israel to a position of power and prominence worthy of the great God, who appointed him.
Respond: Let us offer the praise and worship to our God, Who is worthy to receive it.
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