Text -- 1 Samuel 2:1-2 (NET)

Hannah Exalts the Lord in Prayer

2:1 Hannah prayed, “My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted high because of the Lord. I loudly denounce my enemies, for I am happy that you delivered me. 2:2 No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one other than you! There is no rock like our God!

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: 1Sa 2:1

¹ tn Heb “prayed and said.” This is somewhat redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified in the translation.

² sn Horns of animals have always functioned as both offensive and defensive weapons for them. As a figure of speech the horn is therefore often used in the Bible as a symbol of human strength (see also in v. 10). The allusion in v. 1 to the horn being lifted high suggests a picture of an animal elevating its head in a display of strength or virility.

³ tn Heb “my mouth opens wide against.”

⁴ tn Heb “for I rejoice in your deliverance.”

NET Notes: 1Sa 2:2

¹ sn In this context God’s holiness refers primarily to his sovereignty and incomparability. He is unique and distinct from all other so-called gods.

² tn The LXX has “and there is none righteous like our God.” The Hebrew term translated “rock” refers to a rocky cliff where one can seek refuge from enemies. Here the metaphor depicts God as a protector of his people. Cf. TEV “no protector like our God”; CEV “We’re safer with you than on a high mountain.”