Commentary on "Hannah: Learning to Be Someone"

LESLIE MARTIN

 

Day 5: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - Singing His Praises

 

I Samuel 2:1-10 could be titled, “Hannah’s Magnificat.” Hannah was overjoyed at the great grace and goodness of God and burst into an inspired psalm of praise:

“My heart exults in the Lord;

My horn is exalted in the Lord,

My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies,

Because I rejoice in Thy salvation.” I Samuel 2:1

Throughout this Psalm, she gives honor and glory to God, alone and credits Him with every good thing. She reminds and rebukes the wicked boasters with the truth that God is holy (vs. 2), and because He is holy, He will judge and destroy the rebellious and ungodly. God is always in control, and He is holy and never acts in an arbitrary or unrighteous way. “What God allows, God ‘does’.” (Background Characters in the Old Testament, p. 26) is a gross misunderstanding of God’s sovereignty, because it implies that God is responsible for and participates in evil. God cannot do anything unrighteous because it is completely contrary to His nature. “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5 ESV It is impossible for God to tempt anyone to sin. “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God;’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.” James 1:13 NASU Hannah’s psalm expresses God amazing grace and His righteous judgment of the wicked; these are not in contradiction. God’s love and grace requires that He execute His righteous judgment against wickedness. " He keeps the feet of His godly ones, but the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; for not by might shall a man prevail. Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered; against them He will thunder in the heavens, the LORD will judge the ends of the earth; and He will give strength to His king, and will exalt the horn of His anointed." 1 Sam 2:9-10 NASU

 

Summary

1. Hannah praises God for His faithfulness and gives honor and glory to Him.
2. She credits Him alone with providing every good thing.
3. She reminds the wicked boaster that God is holy and will judge and destroy the rebellious and ungodly.
4. God is completely sovereign and righteous, and He cannot do anything unrighteous.
5. God’s grace and His righteous judgment of the wicked are not opposed. His love and grace requires that He execute righteous judgment against wickedness.

 

GO TO DAY 6

 

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