1 Sam. 2 Hannah’s song, 1 Sam. 2:1–10. Samuel ministers before the Lord, 1 Sam. 2:11. Eli’s sons are wicked, 1 Sam. 2:12–17. Hannah beareth more children, 1 Sam. 2:20–21. Eli reproves his sons, but mildly 1 Sam. 2:22–25. God by a proverb foretelleth the destruction of Eli’s house, 1 Sam. 2:27–36.

Hannah prayed, i.e. praised God; which is a part of prayer, Col. 4:2, 1 Tim. 2:1; so it is a synecdochical expression. My heart rejoiceth, or, leapeth for joy; for the words note not only inward joy, but also the outward demonstrations of it.

There is none holy as the Lord; none so perfectly, exchangeably, and constantly holy, as God hath showed himself to be in this act of grace to me, whereby he hath both checked the proud and mighty, and pleaded the cause of his afflicted servant that trusted in him, and also fulfilled his promise in…

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; thou Peninnah, boast no more of thy numerous offspring, and speak no more insolently and scornfully of me, as thou hast done.

This notes either, 1. The strength of which they boasted. See Ps. 44:6, Ps. 46:9. Or, 2. Their malicious or mischievous designs. See Ps. 7:12, Ps. 11:2, Ps. 37:14. Or, 3. Their virulent tongues, which are compared to bows that shoot their arrows, even bitter words; as it is said Ps. 64:3, Jer. 9:3.

Have hired themselves out for bread, through extreme necessity, into which they are fallen from their greatest plenty. It is the same thing which is expressed both in divers metaphors in the foregoing and following verses, and properly in the latter branch of this verse. Ceased, i.e.

Killeth, and maketh alive; either, 1. Diverse persons; he killeth one, and maketh another alive. Or, 2. The same person whom he first killeth, or bringeth very nigh unto death, he afterwards raiseth to life. Me, who was almost overwhelmed and consumed with grief, he hath revived.

Out of the dust, i.e. out of their low and miserable condition, as this phrase is used, 1 Kings 16:2, Ps. 113:7, Job 16:15, Ps. 22:15. From the dunghill; from the most sordid place and mean estate. Compare 1 Kings 16:2, Job 36:11, Ps. 7:5. Dunghill; which the poor are said to embrace, Lam. 4:5.

The feet, i.e. the steps or paths, their counsels and actions, he will keep, i.e. both uphold, that they may not fall, at least, into mischief or utter ruin; and direct and preserve from wandering, and from those fatal mistakes and errors that wicked men daily run into.

The adversaries of the Lord; and of his people; especially the Philistines, who at this time were the chief oppressors of Israel. Shall be broken to pieces these and the following words are prophetical of what God was about to do: they who are now our lords, shall be subdued. Out of heaven, i.e.

In some way agreeable to his tender years, as in singing, or playing upon instruments of music, as they used then to do in God’s service; or lighting the lamps, or some other way. For I suppose Samuel was not brought to the tabernacle in such tender years as some think; of which See Poole “1 Sam.

To wit, practically, i.e. they did not acknowledge honour, regard, love, or serve God; for so words of knowledge are commonly used in Scripture: see Rom. 1:28, 1 Cor. 15:34, Titus 1:16

Offered, i.e. presented it to the Lord, to be offered by the priest. While the flesh was in seething; for as the Lord’s part of the peace-offerings was burnt upon the altar, so the priest’s and offerer’s parts were to be sodden.

All that the flesh-hook brought up the priest took for himself; not contented with the breast and shoulder which were allotted them by God, Ex. 29:27–28, Lev. 7:31, they took also part of the offerer’s share; and besides, they snatched their part before it was heaved and waved, contrary to Lev.

The fat, and the other parts to be burnt with it. See Lev. 3:3–4, Lev. 3:9, Lev. 7:31. So this was an additional injury; for lest the fork should mistake and injure them, they took such parts as they best liked whilst it was raw, when it might be better discerned.

Take as much as thy soul desireth; we are content to relinquish our parts to thee, only let not God be wronged of his due.

The sin of the young men was very great; because they violently took away both man’s and God’s dues, and this before their time, and that with manifest contempt of God and men; and all this merely for the gratifying of their sensual appetite. Before the Lord, i.e.

Ministered, i.e. performed his ministration carefully and faithfully, not corrupting nor abusing it, as Eli’s sons did. Before the Lord; in God’s tabernacle; or as in God’s presence, sincerely and regardarly, with God’s approbation. Compare Gen. 17:1, 2 Chron. 26:4.

A little coat, suitable to his age and stature, to be worn ordinarily; for coats were their usual garments. See Gen. 3:21, Gen. 37:3, 2 Sam. 15:32, Song 5:3, Dan. 3:21, Luke 3:11, Luke 9:3.

As their superior, and God’s high priest, Eli blessed them in God’s name, and they received his blessing by faith, which made it effectual, 1 Sam. 2:21. Seed, i.e. a child, or rather children, as the event showed. For the loan which is lent to the Lord, or, for the petition, i.e.

Visited, to wit, in mercy, and with his blessing, as that word is used, Gen. 21:1, Ex. 13:19, Jer. 15:15; not in anger, as it is taken Ex. 32:34, Lev. 26:16. Grew; not only in age and stature, but especially in wisdom and goodness, as Luke 1:15.

He was very old; and therefore unfit either to manage his office himself, or to make a diligent inspection into the carriage of his sons in holy administrations; which gave them opportunity for their wickedness.

Such things, as those above mentioned, 1 Sam. 2:13, 1 Sam. 2:22. Eli’s sin in this matter was not only that he reproved them too gently, and generally, and sparingly; but especially that he contented himself with a verbal rebuke and did not restrain them, as is said 1 Sam.

Words too mild for such diabolical actions. Ye make the Lord’s people to transgress; either, 1. The women that by your instigation were drawn to folly. Or, 2. Others who are easily brought to follow your pernicious example. Or, 3.

If one man sin against another, by doing any injury. The judge shall judge him; the magistrate shall by his sentence end the difference, and both parties shall acquiesce in his determination, and so the breach shall be made up.

He grew better in bad times, which is remembered to his commendation.

A man of God, i.e. a prophet or preacher sent from God. See 1 Tim. 6:11, 2 Tim. 3:17, 2 Pet. 1:21. Who this was is not revealed by God, and therefore it is vain to inquire, and impossible to determine.

Did I choose him, to wit, Aaron thy father? whereby he shows what he meant by his father’s house. An ephod; that golden ephod which was peculiar to the high priest. All the offerings made by fire, i.e. all the priest’s part of the offerings. He only had the office, and he had the whole benefit.

Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice; using them irreverently, contemptuously, and profanely; both by abusing them to your own luxury, and by causing the people to abhor and neglect them? He chargeth Eli with his sons’ faults.

I said indeed. Quest. Where or when did God say this? Answ. Either, 1. When he made that promise for the perpetuation of the priesthood in Aaron’s family, Ex. 28:43, Ex. 29:9. Object.

I will cut off thine arm, i.e. I will take away thy strength, which is oft signified by the arm, as Job 22:8, Ps. 37:17, or all that in which thou placest thy confidence and security; either, 1. The ark, which is called God’s strength, Ps.

So the sense is, Thou shalt see, not in thy person, but in thy posterity, (it being most frequent in Scripture to attribute that to parents which properly belongs to their posterity only; as Gen. 17:8, Gen. 27:29, Gen. 27:40) an enemy, i.e.

The man of thine, i.e. those of thy posterity. From mine altar, i.e. from attendance upon mine altar; whom I shall not destroy, but suffer to live, and wait at the altar.

This shall be a sign unto thee, to wit, of the certain truth of those sad predictions; and it was fulfilled, 1 Sam. 4:11.

A faithful priest, to wit, of another line, as is necessarily implied by one total removal of that office from Eli’s line, before threatened. The person designed is Zadok, one eminent for his faithfulness to God and to the king, who, when Abiathar, the last of Eli’s line, was deposed by Solomon,…

Crouch to him, in way of humble supplication. See 1 Kings 2:26; A morsel of bread; whereas before they were so nice and delicate, that my liberal allowance could not satisfy them, but they must have their meat raw and fat, &c., above, 1 Sam.