Hannah's song

Good morning brothers and sisters,
Today's passage echoes Mary's song of praise that we read yesterday, but comes from the Old Testament. Hannah was one of two women married to Elkanah. Hannah wasn't able to have children, but the other wife, Penninah was. Penninah made fun of Hannah for not having children and Hannah became distraught. One year when the family went to God's sanctuary in Shiloh to offer sacrifices, Hannah went to the sanctuary to pray for a son. She was so devoted and upset in her prayer that Eli, the priest thought she was drunk. She promised that if she had a son he would be devoted to the Lord. Sure enough, Hannah conceived and sings this song of praise to God when she dedicates him to God's service at the sanctuary. The son grew up to be the famous prophet Samuel who anointed both Saul and David as the first kings of Israel. Like Mary's song, Hannah's is a powerful statement about God's tendency to turn things upside down.

God bless,
Sam

1 Samuel 2:1-10

Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory. ²“There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. ³Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. ⁴The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. ⁵Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.

⁶The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. ⁷The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts. ⁸He 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. ⁹“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might does one prevail. ¹⁰The Lord! His adversaries shall be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed.”