2:1 My heart exults in Yahweh This poem may have served as a model for Mary’s song (Luke 1:46–55). They share many similarities in content, and the circumstances under which they were composed are also similar.

strength A symbol of power and strength.

your salvation Refers to God’s gift of a son.

2:5 she will bear seven Symbolizes a large family. Hannah eventually had six children (1 Sam 2:21).

2:10 He will give strength to his king Possibly a prophetic anticipation of the monarchy.

his anointed one The Hebrew word used here, mashiach, often translated as messiah, refers to a king in this instance; Israelites anointed their kings with oil (see 10:1; 16:13; Psa 2:2 and note). Over time, this same Hebrew term would come to refer to a coming anointed one of God—called the Christ in Greek (see note on Mark 1:1).

2:11 the boy Refers to Samuel.

Eli the priest The narrative shifts from focusing on Elkanah, who was a good father, to Eli, who was a poor father (indicated by his worthless sons in 1 Sam 2:12).

2:12 the sons of Eli The narrative first mentions these sons in 1:3 without indicating their true character.

worthless scoundrels The Hebrew text here calls Eli’s sons benei beliyya’al, which is literally rendered as “sons of Belial.” A similar term is used in the nt to refer to the antithesis of Christ (see note on 1:16; note on 2 Cor 6:15).

they did not know Yahweh Contrasts Samuel’s behavior. Even though young Samuel did not yet know God (see 1 Sam 3:7), the narrative hints that he is righteous. He is worthy to take over the priesthood once God destroys Eli’s line.

2:14 priest would take for himself Priests were allowed to take specific parts of sacrifices for themselves (see Lev 7:28–34; 10:12–15; Num 18:17–19). Here, Eli’s sons take more than what is allotted to them by the Law.

2:15 they offered up the fat as a burnt offering A grossly sacrilegious act; they also served themselves before serving God. See Lev 3:3–5; 7:22–25, 31.

2:16 I will take it by force Eli’s sons use violence to carry out their lawlessness.

2:17 treated the offering of Yahweh with contempt They had no regard for the sacred office or its function (compare Judg 17:6; 19:1).

2:18 Samuel was serving before Yahweh Unlike Hophni and Phinehas, who were stealing and being gluttonous with Yahweh’s portion.

2:21 with Yahweh The Hebrew phrase used here also appears in Exodus to describe Moses’ experience (Exod 34:28). The narrative occasionally stylizes Samuel after Moses.

2:22 they were having sexual relations with the women who were serving The sons either rape the women or treat them as temple prostitutes.

2:25 who can intercede for him? Eli presents an argument to his wayward sons, but he does nothing to stop their sinful activities. Eli had the authority to remove his sons and legitimize the worship, but he did not. His ineffectual attempt at rebuke is a further mark against him as a father and priest. See 3:13 and note.

kill them The result of their grievous sin and abuses against the people, their office, the sacrifices, and God Himself.

2:26 continued to grow in stature and in favor The narrative again contrasts Samuel with Eli’s sons. See vv. 17–18.

2:27 a man of God An unnamed prophet.

your ancestor Refers to Levi, ancestor of the priestly tribe.

2:29 making yourselves fat from the best of See v. 15 and note.

2:31 I will cut off your strength The Hebrew text used here refers to cutting off Eli’s arm, which was a common symbol of strength.

so that no one in your house will live to old age Indicates that the members of Eli’s house will die young.

2:33 all the members of your household will die This prophecy comes to fulfillment in Abiathar (22:18–23; 1 Kgs 2:26–27).

will die as men Eli’s sons are killed in 1 Sam 4:11; other descendants are killed in 22:18–19.

2:35 I will raise up for myself a reliable priest This could be speaking of Samuel as the fulfillment of that promise, but Samuel’s sons did not continue in his faithful ways. Alternatively, the narrative might be referring to Zadok, the high priest in the time of David. He first appears in 2 Sam 8:17.

I will build for him a lasting house God’s judgment against Eli and his house allows God to reestablish the priestly line of Aaron’s son Eleazar. In Num 25:10–13, God had promised Eleazar the priesthood. This promise eventually is fulfilled in Zadok (1 Kgs 2:35).

before my anointed one Refers to the king (see note on 1 Sam 2:10).