1 Samuel 2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 2

In this chapter we have, I. Hannah's song of thanksgiving to God for his favour to her in giving her Samuel, 1 Sam. 2:1-10. II. Their return to their family, with Eli's blessing, 1 Sam. 2:11, 20. The increase of their family, 1 Sam. 2:21. Samuel's growth and improvement (1 Sam. 2:11, 18, 21, 26), and the care Hannah took to clothe him, 1 Sam. 2:19. III. The great wickedness of Eli's sons, 1 Sam. 2:12-17, 22. IV. The over-mild reproof that Eli gave them for it, 1 Sam. 2:23-25. V. The justly... read more

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:11-26

In these verses we have the good character and posture of Elkanah's family, and the bad character and posture of Eli's family. The account of these two is observably interwoven throughout this whole paragraph, as if the historian intended to set the one over against the other, that they might set off one another. The devotion and good order of Elkanah's family aggravated the iniquity of Eli's house; while the wickedness of Eli's sons made Samuel's early piety appear the more bright and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:27-36

Eli reproved his sons too gently, and did not threaten them as he should, and therefore God sent a prophet to him to reprove him sharply, and to threaten him, because, by his indulgence of them, he had strengthened their hands in their wickedness. If good men be wanting in their duty, and by their carelessness and remissness contribute any thing to the sin of sinners, they must expect both to hear of it and to smart for it. Eli's family was now nearer to God than all the families of the earth,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 2 In this chapter the song of Hannah is recorded, 1 Samuel 2:1 , and an account is given of the return of Elkanah and Hannah to their own home, and of the care she took yearly to provide a coat for Samuel, and of her being blessed with many other children, and of the growth and ministry of Samuel before the Lord, 1 Samuel 2:11 , and of the wickedness of the sons of Eli, 1 Samuel 2:12 , and of Eli's too gentle treatment of them when he reproved them for... read more

John Gill

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

And Hannah prayed and said ,.... She had prayed before, but that was mental, this vocal; she had prayed and was answered, and had what she prayed for, and now she gives thanks for it; and thanksgiving is one kind of prayer, or a part of it; see 1 Timothy 2:1 , wherefore though what follows is a song, it was expressed in prayer; and therefore it is said she prayed, and that by a spirit of prophecy, as the Targum; hence she is by the Jews F8 T. Megillah, fol. 14. 1. reckoned one of the... read more

John Gill

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

There is none holy as the Lord ,.... From the consideration of what the Lord had done for her, which had filled her heart and mouth with joy and praise, she is led to celebrate the perfections of God, and begins with his holiness, in which he is glorious, and which appears in all his ways and works; he is essentially, originally, independently, perfectly, and immutably holy, as others are not. Angels are holy, but not of themselves; their holiness is from the Lord; nor is it perfect in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:3

Talk no more so exceeding proudly ,.... At such an high rate, in such an overbearing manner, as if above everyone; this may have respect to Peninnah, and all that joined with her to provoke Hannah to anger, and make her fret, insulting and triumphing over her, because she had not children, as they had; but now their mouths would be stopped, and their talk over, and not give themselves the haughty airs they had done, at least there would be no occasion for them: let not arrogancy come out... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:4

The bows of the mighty men are broken ,.... Hannah, from relating gracious experiences, and celebrating, the divine perfections of holiness, omniscience, and sovereignty, passes on to take notice of the dealings of God with men in providence and grace; bows are here put for all military arms, which men of might and war make use of, and which God can easily break in pieces, and so make war to cease in the earth, and hinder warlike men from doing what they design and attempt; they are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:5

They that are full have hired out themselves for bread ,.... Such as have been full of the good things of this life have been stripped of all, and reduced to such circumstances as to be obliged to hire themselves out to persons to labour under them for their bread. Hannah has either respect to some instances she had known, or prophesies of what would be hereafter, and was fulfilled in the Israelites, when in the hands of the Egyptians and Assyrians, Lamentations 4:6 and may be exemplified... read more

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