The end of Hannah's prayer

 1 Samuel 2:6-10

Yesterday, we looked at the first part of Hannah’s prayer and today we will explore the latter part of the prayer.  There is much you and I can learn from Hannah, she is a remarkable lady, a woman who fears God and has a deep desire to seek Him.  She begins with adoration to the Lord, and she acknowledges God, that only He is her strength, it is God who gives victory over her enemies.

Then we see her prayer go to a confession of God’s character, and her proclaiming “There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.”  She is reminded to be careful of the words that come from her mouth, for only God has perfect knowledge, and He will weigh our actions.

Beginning in verses 6-8, “The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.  The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, and he exalts.  He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor.  For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and on them, he has set the world.”

She reminds God that she understands that He gives and takes away.  And once more she is sharing with the Lord that He alone makes some rich and others poor and He makes kings, and He makes slaves, and He exalts, and also He brings the exalted ones down.  In the same way, He also makes the poor rich and places them in the chambers of princes.  She shared with the LORD, Father I understand You are in total charge of all that is, or will be.

Verses 9-10, “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.  The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them, he will thunder in heaven.  The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

She also is reminding herself in this prayer that those who live as “Lord of the ring,” the captain of their own life will become enemies of God, who will not share His role or place of authority with anyone.  I do find it of interest that in Hannah’s prayer she brings in the King and the horn of his anointed.  As of yet, Israel’s only king is God, but her son would be the one who anointed Israel’s first King Saul and then David.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice