The big picture
1 Samuel 2 opens in verse 1 with “And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD , mine horn is exalted in…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 18 with “But Samuel ministered before the LORD , being a child, girded with a linen ephod.”, and closes in verse 36 with “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, house, sons, Israel, priest. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
1 Samuel · King James Version · 361 Samuel 2:1-8
1–8: Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD , mine horn is…
1 Samuel 2:1–8 opens with “And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD , mine horn is exalted in the LORD …” and reaches “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Hannah’s song contrasted with the corrupt behavior of Eli’s sons and the faithful service of young Samuel, with particular weight carried by LORD, bringeth, maketh.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD , mine horn is exalted in the LORD : my mouth is enlarged…” Naming Hannah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and…” Naming Talk keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Samuel 2:1-8
King James Version1And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD , mine horn is exalted in the LORD : my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
2There is none holy as the LORD : for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
3Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
4The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
5They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
6The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
7The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
8He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s , and he hath set the world upon them.
1 Samuel 2:9-16
9–16: He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in…
1 Samuel 2:9–16 opens with “He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength…” and reaches “And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Hannah’s song contrasted with the corrupt behavior of Eli’s sons and the faithful service of young Samuel, with particular weight carried by LORD, flesh, priest.
Context that brings the passage to life
“He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.” Naming Eli and Elkanah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And the priests’ custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
1 Samuel 2:9-16
King James Version9He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
10The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
11And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.
12Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD .
13And the priests’ custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;
14And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.
15Also before they burnt the fat, the priest’s servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
16And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
1 Samuel 2:17-24
17–24: Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD : for…
1 Samuel 2:17–24 opens with “Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD : for men abhorred the…” and reaches “Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD’s people to transgress.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Hannah’s song contrasted with the corrupt behavior of Eli’s sons and the faithful service of young Samuel, with particular weight carried by LORD, sons, child.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD : for men abhorred the offering of the LORD .” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband…” Naming Moreover keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Samuel 2:17-24
King James Version17Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD : for men abhorred the offering of the LORD .
18But Samuel ministered before the LORD , being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
19Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
20And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD . And they went unto their own home.
21And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD .
22Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
23And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.
24Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD’s people to transgress.
1 Samuel 2:25-32
25–32: If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man…
1 Samuel 2:25–32 opens with “If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD …” and reaches “And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Hannah’s song contrasted with the corrupt behavior of Eli’s sons and the faithful service of young Samuel, with particular weight carried by house, LORD, Israel.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 4 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD , who shall intreat for…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
“And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD , Did I plainly appear unto the house of…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
“Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
1 Samuel 2:25-32
King James Version25If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD , who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.
26And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD , and also with men.
27And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD , Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh’s house?
28And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?
29Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
30Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
31Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father’s house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.
32And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.
1 Samuel 2:33-36
33–36: The man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to…
1 Samuel 2:33–36 opens with “And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes…” and reaches “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Hannah’s song contrasted with the corrupt behavior of Eli’s sons and the faithful service of young Samuel, with particular weight carried by house, bread, heart.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
1 Samuel 2:33-36
King James Version33And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.
34And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.
35And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.
36And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests’ offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
1 Samuel 2:1 begins with “And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD , mine horn is exalted in the LORD : my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice…”
Where the chapter turns
1 Samuel 2:18 forms a natural hinge: “But Samuel ministered before the LORD , being a child, girded with a linen ephod.”
The final note
1 Samuel 2:36 leaves the reader with “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, house, sons, Israel, priest, child help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Which gifts come before the prohibition?
Life, the garden, food and meaningful work. The command occurs inside generosity.
How does chapter 2 deepen chapter 1?
It concentrates on dependence, partnership and responsibility within the shared human calling.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.