Establish the need: Is there any Messianic prophecy in this song?
Purpose: We will consider reasons why we consider Hannah’s Song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 is Messianic Prophecy.
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- Hannah’s Song is prophetic
- Hannah’s Song is Messianic prophecy since she was informed by Old Testament Theology
- The mention of the Messiah seem to refer to Someone greater than a local King of Israel
Hannah’s Song is prophetic
That is, there are things in this song in the beginning of 1-2 Samuel here that predicts future events that would later happen in book of 1-2 Samuel.
Prediction of a broken bow: “The bows of the mighty are broken to pieces,” (v.4a) [1]
- This line predicts that mighty men will have their bows broken.
- Fulfilled with the death of Saul and his son Jonathan in 2 Samuel 1:18-19: “Then David sang this song of mourning over Saul and his son Jonathan, 18 and he told them to teach the sons of Judah the mourning song of the bow; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar.”
Prediction of a woman with many kids mourning: “Even the infertile woman gives birth to seven, But she who has many children languishes.” (v.5b) [2]
- Woman with many children is said to be mourning.
- This happened to Saul’s household with Rizpah and Merab losing seven son as punishment for Saul’s treatment of the Gibeonites: “9 Then he handed them over to the Gibeonites, and they [f]hanged them on the mountain before the Lord, so that the seven of them fell together; and they were put to death in the first days of harvest at the beginning of barley harvest. 10 And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until it rained on them from the sky; and she [h]allowed neither the birds of the sky to rest on them by day nor the wild animals by night. 11 When it was reported to David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done, 12 then David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them on the day the Philistines struck and killed Saul in Gilboa.” (2 Samuel 21:9-12)
Prediction of the Lord thundering: “Those who contend with the Lord will be terrified; Against them He will thunder in the heavens,” (v.10) [3]
- Lord thundered against Philistine army in 1 Samuel 7:10.
- Lord sent thunder and rain as punishment for evil request in 1 Samuel 12:16-18.
Hannah’s Song is Messianic prophecy since she was informed by Old Testament Theology
- It seems Hannah was familiar with Old Testament teachings from the details of her song:
- For example Hannah describes God as the Rock: “There is no one holy like the Lord, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.” (2)
- This description seems to come from Deuteronomy 32:4, 15, 31.[4]
- So when 1 Samuel 2:10 refer to the Messiah (Messiah is Hebrew for Anointed) and put it in synonymous parallel with “King” Hannah is echoing the truth found in earlier Scripture that there be a Messianic King: Genesis 49:10, Numbers 24:17-19.
The mention of the Messiah seem to refer to Someone greater than a local King of Israel
The line in verse 10: “And He will give strength to His king, And will exalt the horn of His anointed.”
- Before this verse only priests were called anointed.[5]
- Now here we see the King is called Anointed.
The line earlier states: “The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;” (v.10)= It is in this context that there’s the reference to God strengthening the Messianic King. So it does not seem to be talking about merely a local King of Israel given the context of God’s cosmic rule.
There’s also a chiasm in the song to consider.[6]
- Horn exalted (1-2)
- Silence and destruction of God’s enemies (3-4)
- Reversals (v.5)
- Resurrection (6)
- Reversals (v.7-8)
- Reversals (v.5)
- Silence and destruction of God’s enemies (9-10a)
- Silence and destruction of God’s enemies (3-4)
- Horn exalted (10b)
Given the climax of this Song ends with the Messiah (v.10) and also the structure’s central focus is on Resurrection from the dead it is incredible to think of this dual topic together: A Messiah who God will resurrect!
[1] James F. Coakley, “1 Samuel 2:1-10, 35: Hannah’s Song of the Messianic King” in The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Publishers, 2018), 363.
[2] James F. Coakley, “1 Samuel 2:1-10, 35: Hannah’s Song of the Messianic King” in The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Publishers, 2018), 363-64.
[3] James F. Coakley, “1 Samuel 2:1-10, 35: Hannah’s Song of the Messianic King” in The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Publishers, 2018), 364.
[4] James F. Coakley, “1 Samuel 2:1-10, 35: Hannah’s Song of the Messianic King” in The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Publishers, 2018), 365.
[5] James F. Coakley, “1 Samuel 2:1-10, 35: Hannah’s Song of the Messianic King” in The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Publishers, 2018), 370.
[6] Modified from https://www.chiasmusxchange.com/2015/05/06/1-samuel-21-10/
The Domain for Truth 
Thanks for the insight! Very helpful.
Despite her promise, it still seems impossibly hard to devote a young son to God by leaving him at the temple. Additionally, it is hard to fathom the meditations that went into the creation of this song. While it had divine inspiration, it likewise came through a human agent who added her signature.
Obviously, I did not comment on any of what you did. That was not meant to diminish your commentary. Rather, your commentary is so strong, it did not seem that I could add anything. However, the other stuff — totally outside of the subject of the post — came to mind.
You are right about how hard it is the human dimension for Hannah as the background for this Song; thanks for writing that, it is needed to balance what’s posted here. I appreciated it brother, your thoughts are always welcome on here!
That’s a lesson obeying God even when it is difficult
I never seen the centrality of the resurrection in this song before this
Never did too until this studying for this lesson
Thanks for this good outline on the Messianic prophetical nature of Hannah’s Song. Good stuff. I’ve read a few articles pointing out the parallels between Hannah’s Song and Mary’s Magnificat and the fact that Hannah and Mary gave birth through divine intervention.
Yes the parallel with Mary and Hannah is striking and amazing! Wished I included that discussion but we were already running late with this outline when I taught last night!!! Glad you know the awe of Scripture. Sometimes I think if more Catholics read their Bible they be more at awe with Biblical Christianity than Romanism’ pomp and ceremony…
RE: if more Catholics read their Bible they be more at awe with Biblical Christianity than Romanism’ pomp and ceremony…
That describes my experience to a T.
Reblogged this on clydeherrin.
Amazing how the words of this song fell into place prophetically like pieces in a puzzle. One wonders how much the Spirit revealed to Hannah of the words He inspired. But I imagine she took them at face value, overcome with joy, and her words later written down are echoed by the mouth of Mary, our Savior’s mother, a thousand years later!
Amen! Its so amazing that in the start of the narratives of kings God uses a formerly barren women to remind us of the Coming Messiah as one to look forward to! And there be a lot of disappointments with human kings…but The Messiah King, we can trust amen???!
Amen. Our Brother, the King of kings and Lord of lords!! It’s good to rejoice in our Hope of glory.
Amen brotha
There is a lot of detail in Hannah’s prayer that I missed. Thank you for presenting it. I missed the prophecies and the chiasm structure. The Biblical Chiasm Exchange that you mentioned looks like an interesting site.
Yes that does look like an interesting site! I don’t know if I see all the chiasms they have on there from the text of Scripture but there are certainly Chiasms I never noticed before that’s in the text of the Word of God! Have a blessed Thursday Frank!
Well said. Took my breath away.
Priase God! Such an amazing prophecy in the middle of narratives about Kings!
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Pastor Jim, this discussion opened my own eyes to the blessings found in these verses. God’s peace!
Thanks BSB for reading this! And also thanks for your comments!
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The Hannah and Mary dimension is fascinating to me. Ruth is well known yet Hannah is overlooked. So thankful for you sharing this messianic prophecy.
Thanks for reading this sister! Speaking of Ruth, I was going back and forth today about whether I should cover how Ruth contributes Messianically; I decided I’m going to cover that tonight. Thanks for your cards!!!!! And the email!!!!!!! Sorry was busy trying to study up on Ruth!!!!
So, glad you will be doing Ruth!!!! I am not sure if I will make it tonight! I will be praying for you!!!