1 Samuel 2:1 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

1 SAMUEL CHAPTER 2 Hannah's song, 1 Samuel 2:1-10. Samuel ministers before the Lord, 1 Samuel 2:11. Eli's sons are wicked, 1 Samuel 2:12-17. Hannah beareth more children, 1 Samuel 2:20,21. Eli reproves his sons, but mildly 1 Samuel 2:22-25. God by a proverb foretelleth the destruction of Eli's house, 1 Samuel 2:27-36. Hannah prayed, i.e. praised God; which is a part of prayer, Colossians 4:2 1 Timothy 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. In the Lord, as the author and the master of my joy, that he hath heard my prayer, and accepted my son for his service. Mine horn is exalted; my strength and glory (which are oft signified by a horn, as Psalms 89:17,24 Psalms 92:10) are advanced and manifested to my vindication, and the confusion of mine enemies. My mouth is enlarged, i.e. opened wide, to pour forth abundant praises to God, and to give a full answer to all the reproaches of mine adversaries; whereas before it was shut through grief and confusion. Over mine enemies, i.e. more than theirs, or so as to get the victory over them, as she saith afterwards. Here she manifests her great prudence, and piety, and modesty, that she doth not name Peninnah, but only her enemies in the general. Because I rejoice in thy salvation; because the matter of my joy is no trivial or worldly thing, but that strange and glorious salvation or deliverance which thou hast given me from my own oppressing care and grief, and from the insolencies and reproaches of mine enemies, in giving me a son, and such a son as this, who shall be serviceable to God, and to his people, in helping them against their enemies, which she presaged, as may be guessed from 1 Samuel 2:10.