1 Samuel 2:20 NIV

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 2:18-21

2. Hannah’s godly influence on Samuel and its effect 2:18-21In the previous paragraphs two statements about the main characters described them and framed the paragraph: they did not regard the Lord, and they despised the Lord’s offerings (1 Samuel 2:12; 1 Samuel 2:17). Likewise in this one the writer described Samuel as "before the Lord" at the beginning and at the end (1 Samuel 2:18; 1 Samuel 2:21). Even though he was very young and his service was probably menial at this time (cf. 1 Samuel... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 2:1-36

Hannah’s Song of Thanksgiving. The Sin of Eli’s Sons1-10. The Song of Hannah.This beautiful poem has been well called the ’Magnificat of the Old Testament.’ The song of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:46-55) is clearly modelled on it very closely. In each case there is the rejoicing over the exaltation of the poor and despised and the humiliation of the rich. But there is a world of difference between Mary’s quiet and restrained gratitude and calm confidence in God’s mercy, on the one hand, and the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 2:11-36

(11-36) The Service of the boy Samuel in the Sanctuary—The Dissolute Life of the Sons of Eli—The Doom of the House of Ithamar. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 2:20-21

(20, 21) And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife. . . . And the Lord visited Hannah.—The blessing of Eli, a blessing which soon bore its fruit in the house of the pious couple,—his training of Samuel, and unswerving kindness to the boy (see following chapter),—his sorrow at his priestly sons’ wickedness,—his passionate love for his country, all indicate that the influence of the weak but loving high priest was ever exerted to keep the faith of the people pure, and the life of Israel white before... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Samuel 2:1-36

The Unrecognized Voices of God 1 Samuel 2:7 We turn to the revelation in Christ for comfort, only to realize how long the silence has been since God spoke to men in Him. What we long for is to hear God for ourselves, to hear Him speak today. I. God speaks to men today. Unless God speaks now we cannot really believe that He ever spoke to men. It is absurd to imagine that a revelation was made to men through long centuries and closed in the year, say, a.d. 70, and no voice from the great Unseen... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:11-36

CHAPTER IV.ELI’S HOUSE.1 Samuel 2:11-36.THE notices of little Samuel, that alternate in this passage with the sad accounts of Eli and his house, are like the green spots that vary the dull stretches of sand in a desert; or like the little bits of blue sky that charm your eye when the firmament is darkened by a storm. First we are told how, after Elkanah and Hannah departed, the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli the priest (1 Samuel 2:11); then comes an ugly picture of the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Samuel 2:11-36

3. The Failure of Eli and His Sons CHAPTER 2:12-36 1. The wicked sons of Eli (1 Samuel 2:12-17 ) 2. Samuel before Jehovah and Hannah blessed (1 Samuel 2:18-21 ) 3. The empty warning of Eli (1 Samuel 2:22-26 ) 4. Judgment announced (1 Samuel 2:27-36 ) The corruption of the sons of aged Eli is next exposed. They were sons of Belial; they knew not Jehovah, and yet they ministered in the outward things of the sanctuary. It could result only in the worst corruption. They handled holy... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 2:1-36

The rejoicing prayer of Hannah is now uttered AFTER she has given up her child. The prayer of Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus, reminds us of this one, though hers was spoken before he child was born. Samuel, the first of the prophets, is surely typical of Christ, and Hannah's prayer implies the intervention of the Messiah in man's affairs, as verse 10 shows. The language is therefore that which the godly remnant of Israel will use following the suffering of the tribulation when the "the Sun... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:12-36

ELI AND HIS SONS After leaving their son with Eli in Shiloh, Elkanah and his wife returned home (1 Samuel 2:11 ). Then follows an account of how “Samuel ministered before the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:18-19 ), and how he grew in favor with God and man (1 Samuel 2:26 ). In the meantime other blessings had come to Hannah (1 Samuel 2:20-21 ), a confirmation of the divine principle, “Them that honor Me, I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30 ). But what ministry could a child have wrought in the sanctuary? It is... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Samuel 2:1-36

The Sons of Eli 1Sa 2:17 ELI was high-priest of the Jews when the ark of the Lord was in Shiloh. His two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. Their office was holy, but their character was corrupt. They touched sacred things with unworthy hands. "The sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord." Their administration of the priestly office was characterised by the most rapacious selfishness. Hence we read "the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord."... read more