What does 1 Samuel 2:7 mean?
How much of life do people spend planning, scheming, and despairing about money and wealth? While our choices help us to avoid poverty or build wealth (Proverbs 10:4–5; 12:11; 13:11; 14:23; 21:5 24:33–34), ultimate control over how much money we have at any given moment is limited (Luke 12:13–21; James 4:13–16). The one who controls life and death (1 Samuel 2:6) can certainly reverse financial situations any time He chooses (Matthew 6:25–34; Philippians 4:11–13).Hannah declares that it is God who makes one poor or rich during the limited span of human lives on earth. Also, because money is so often connected to social standing in the community, Hannah adds that it is the Lord who brings some low in the community and exalts others to positions of higher status.
Just as we respond to the reality of God's sovereignty over life and death with humility and dependence on the Lord, so, too, should we respond to the reality of His sovereignty over economic and social realities (Luke 12:22–34; Philippians 4:4–8; 1 Peter 5:6–7).
First Samuel 2:1–11 contains Hannah's poetic prayer of praise to the Lord in response to His gift of a son, Samuel. She offers the prayer after delivering Samuel into Eli's care at the sanctuary in keeping with her vow to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:11, 24–28). The main emphasis of the prayer is that God is holy and sovereign. He can reverse life situations, bringing the rich and powerful down and lifting the poor, hungry, and barren. The one who controls life and death guards those faithful to Him.
After delivering Samuel to the Lord, Hannah offers a poetic prayer of praise. The sons of Eli the priest are evil, depraved men who abuse their power as priests. They coerce worshippers to give them additional meat. They sleep with women who serve at the sanctuary. In contrast, Samuel grows in favor with God and others as he grows up physically. Hannah and Elkanah continue to go to Shiloh yearly; they also have more children. Eli rebukes his sons, but they don't repent. The Lord tells Eli that all his descendants will die young and his two rebellious sons will die on the same day. The Lord will raise up a faithful priest to do His will.
