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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:1-10

We have here Hannah's thanksgiving, dictated, not only by the spirit of prayer, but by the spirit of prophecy. Her petition for the mercy she desired we had before (1 Sam. 1:11), and here we have her return of praise; in both out of the abundance of a heart deeply affected (in the former with her own wants, and in the latter with God's goodness) her mouth spoke. Observe in general, 1. When she had received mercy from God she owned it, with thankfulness to his praise. Not like the nine lepers,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:6

The Lord killeth, and maketh alive ,.... Which is true of different persons; some he takes away by death, and others he preserves and continues in life; and of the same persons, whom God removes by death, and restores them to life again, of which there are instances both in the Old and New Testament; and be they which they will, both are of God, he is the great Disposer of life and death. Death is of him; it is by his appointment; it is sent by his order; and when it has a commission from... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 2:6

The Lord killeth - God is the arbiter of life and death; he only can give life, and he only has a right to take it away. He bringeth down to the grave - The Hebrew word שאול sheol , which we translate grave, seems to have the same meaning in the Old Testament with ἁδης , hades in the New, which is the word generally used by the Septuagint for the other. It means the grave, the state of the dead, and the invisible place, or place of separate spirits. Sometimes we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:1-10

Salvation. The facts implied and indicated in the song are— 1 . Hannah's deliverance from grief and realisation of desire are perfected. 2 . God is recognised as the author of the great salvation. 3 . Under Divine inspiration Hannah sees in her own personal experience a type of various triumphs which God achieves for his people. 4 . She is conscious of an overwhelming joy in her own deliverance, and in the prevision of future triumphs of the Church. 5 . A clear and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:1-10

The prayer song of Hannah. In her prayer of asking Hannah was intent not merely on having a child, but on giving to the service of God a priest, and to the government of Israel a judge, very different from the sons of Eli—a Nazarite, a second and a better Samson. No wonder, then, that when she brought her son to the sanctuary, her prayer of thanksgiving took a large scope, and revealed even a prophetic fervour. What religious poetess has made such an impression as Hannah with one ode?... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 2:6-7

1 Samuel 2:6-7. The Lord killeth and maketh alive The power of life and death is in the hands of God; whom he pleaseth he takes out of the world, and whom he pleaseth, he preserves in it; raising men even from the brink of the grave, when they are ready to drop into it. The Lord maketh poor, &c. Here she acknowledges the power of God, in frequently changing the conditions of men, reducing the rich to extreme poverty, and exalting the poor to great riches. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:1-11

1:1-7:17 ISRAEL UNDER ELI AND UNDER SAMUELBirth of Samuel (1:1-2:11)Elkanah was a Levite who lived in the tribal territory of Ephraim (1:1; 1 Chronicles 6:33-38). Each year he took his family to the town of Shiloh to offer sacrifices to the Lord. (Since the time of Joshua, Shiloh had been the central place of worship in Israel; Joshua 18:1,Joshua 18:10; Judges 18:31.) According to the regulations for certain sacrifices, the offerer, after offering his sacrifice, received back some of the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 2:6

6. he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up—that is, He reduces to the lowest state of degradation and misery, and restores to prosperity and happiness. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 2:1-10

2. Hannah’s Song of Solomon 2:1-10Some commentators have seen Hannah’s prayer as a non-essential song of praise included in the text for sentimental reasons. But this magnificent prayer provides the key to interpreting the rest of 1 and 2 Samuel. In this prayer, which contains no petition, Hannah articulated her belief that God rewards trust with blessing. He turns barrenness into fertility, not just in her case but universally. Mary, the mother of Jesus, incorporated some of Hannah’s song in... read more

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