I SAMUEL Lesson # 3
I Samuel 2:1-11
Hannah's Song of Praises
I. Greetings:
II. Introduction;
Note: For those of you who are new, we want you to know that we have been studying about a young woman named Hannah. We have been reading about her choice to give up the center of her earthly joy: namely her son, Samuel.
Note: If new people are present, have someone in the room recount the story: the need of Hannah, her prayer/vow, and her decision to give the child to the temple in accordance with her vow.
Note: It is at the temple where she has delivered the "light of her life" that she prays I Samuel 2:1-10.
III. Hannah's Song Praises: I Samuel 2:1-11.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 2:1-2.
Q In I Samuel 2:1 what three things does she claim she is doing?
An = Her heart is exalting, her horn is exalted, and she is confidently confronting her enemies. Actually, "horn" opens the song (2:1) and closes it (2:10). It opens with her "raised horn" and concludes with that of the messiah! Brueggemann, pp.16-17
Q How can someone be so "up" and confident when they have given up a key asset to their happiness?
An = Let them give their answers and then explain the reason for her "joy" and "confidence" is given in the last line of verse 2. "There is joy in God's salvation".
Q What does "joy in God's salvation mean?"
>>>> Re-read I Samuel 2:2.
Q What does this verse mean?
An = It is a description of God's attributes. It is a hymn. For that is what a hymn is, a celebration of the glories attributes and character of God.
Q Why is she praising God?
An = It is not because life is easy or God has given gifts, but because God is to be praised. She has given to God in a committed way. Therefore she has come into submission and so joy and praise are the natural result: a foretaste of heaven. Once you have tasted of what she now knows you will understand her song.
Q What does she praise God about?
An = He is holy, incomparable, and an incomparable rock.
Q Why is God incomparable?
An = It is only the God of Israel that has all power to act and the willingness to do so. He can change or reverse anything and He wills to do so. All power serving the weak, or as Hannah says, He is not friendly to arrogance but rather such qualities that one must sing of them.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 2:3.
Q Why should one not be arrogant?
An = God is intelligent: He knows all (and you are not going to impress Him with your puny knowledge). He perceives the worth of our actions: He weighs our actions.
Q How does Hannah perceive God? Does she like God?
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 2:4-8.
Q What theme do all these verses have in common?
An = The theme of reversal:
4: reversal of strength.
5a: reversal of hunger.
5b: reversal of reproduction.
6: reversal of life.
7a: reversal of wealth.
7b: reversal of position.
Note: Verse 8 is not a stress on reversal but a stress on "raising".
Q Who is raised?
An = The poor and the needy.
Q Why is this part of Hannah's song?
An = poor and needy must refer to more than monetary issues. She was poor psychologically, positional, etc.
Q Is this true today?
Note: The reason God can both raise the needy and reverse the fortunes of human being is found in I Samuel 8b. He controls the very basis (foundation) of life itself. It is quite within His purview to change anything. As Brueggemann says, "The hope of the poor and weak is rooted in the foundational power of the creator". ... "The poem thus links the majesty of Yahweh's sovereignty over creation with the hope of the marginal". p. 19.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 2:9-11.
Q What is the key agenda or key idea of 2:9?
An = God is concerned with morality. This is a basic biblical truth: ultimate power and justice are wed in God.
Q According to I Samuel 2:10 is it wise to fight against God?
Q How does one contend with, or oppose God?
An = 1) One could do this by not helping to raise the needy or lowly both spiritually and physically. 2) To be immoral or wicked. Brueggemann (p. 20) adds the thought that the "wicked are those who rely on their own strength--people like Penninnah or the Philistines. Against the judging, ruling power of Yahweh, arrogant human strength cannot prevail."
Q How do you understand 2:10b?
An = It stresses God actions of judgment and then helping His chosen leaders. He will strengthen and exalt them. He will help those who lead and bless His people. So God is described in 2:2-10a and then the fact that He will help leadership, those who are His anointed. Brueggemann reminds us that "The poem, moreover, articulates the criteria by which subsequent kings are to be evaluated (p. 20). It begins with her "horn" being exalted and ends going beyond her horizon to that of the "king" and perhaps the messiah (p.20). Our experience of salvation helps us see the larger and greater picture. Our personal salvation is not just for us alone but we are part of the greater issue that will result in the blessings of others. Our horn must eventually point to the horn of the king.
III. Hannah's N.T. Counterpart. Luke 1:46-55.
Q What New Testament mother also sung a song very similar to this one?
An = Mary, the mother of Jesus.
>>>> Have someone read Luke 1:46-55.
Q What themes are similar?
An = 1) joy. 2) God's care for exalting the lowly, 3) against arrogance, 4) the theme of reversal.
Q To what does Luke 1:54-55 correspond to in I Samuel 2:1-10? What verses do these two verses match to since all the others seem to parallel some aspect of I Samuel 2:1-10?
An = I believe it is the exalting, strengthening of leaders in 2:10. Remember the reason for helping leaders is not for their egos but for the blessing of the "people" of God. She begins with her good fortune and ends with the blessing of the larger community. All biblical blessing does this. People grow spiritually when they realize that God wishes not only to save them but to make them part of His great service to the world.
Q Did these two women have a high view of God?
Q How did they arrive at such a viewpoint?
An = Commitment (keeping vows) and risk. Hannah risked her happiness in the form of her having children and Mary risked in the form of marriage and her respectability.
Q Can we have such joy and knowledge of God without risk?
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