The Songs of Sisters

1 Samuel 1:21 -2:11

Scripture reader will read 1 Samuel 1:21-28

Intro:

Open with the implications of belief …

Every year, Elkanah took his family to Shiloh to worship and offer sacrifices—a routine, a tradition. But this year was different. This time, Hannah had a son—the very child she had wept for, begged for, and promised to give back to the Lord.

Yet, instead of joining her family in Shiloh, Hannah stayed behind, not to avoid worship but to prepare for something greater. She told her husband, “I will go when the boy is weaned, and then I will present him to the Lord, and he will stay there forever.” Imagine the weight of that decision. After years of waiting and longing—now she had to let go.

When the time came, she didn’t hesitate. She traveled to Shiloh with Samuel and a generous offering, because this was not a moment of loss but of worship. She found Eli, the priest who once mistook her prayers for drunkenness, and declared, “I am the woman who stood here praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me what I asked. So now I give him to the Lord.”

And in that moment—after surrendering the very gift she had longed for—Hannah didn’t weep. She worshiped. What follows in 1 Samuel 2 is one of the most powerful prayers in Scripture, a song of praise from a woman who had learned that God is faithful, that He exalts the humble, and that His plans are always greater than our own.

In Hannah’s prayer, we see God’s faithfulness to those before us and His promises for those yet to come.

Hannah begins her prayer, with an acknowledgment of:

An Incomparable God - 1 Samuel 2:1-2

1 Samuel 2:1–2 ESV

And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. “There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.

If you read 1 Samuel 1 and 2 straight through, it’s easy to find the change in Hannah’s posture a bit, jarring. Just a few verses ago she was a puddle of grief on the floor of the tabernacle, and now, there is almost a “veracity” to her words.

Last week we read in chapter 1 that Elkanah asks his wife “why is your heart sad” and she answers, “I am a woman troubled in spirit.” The word used in that text for sad could also be translated as “bad,” her heart is a dark place, void of hope. So what has changed? How has the condition of her heart been transformed?

She declares how when she declares My heart exults in the Lord

The source of her hope has changed. She came to the tabernacle seeking a son, but what she left with was far greater, a hope in the living God.

And she says that in Him, her horn is exalted!

The imagery here is that of a magnificent animal lifting its mighty horn in strength and victory.

I spent most of my childhood in southern Wyoming, where the soundtracks of Chris LeDoux filled the air and the culture of the rodeo was deeply ingrained. In every rodeo, the pinnacle event is bull riding—an ultimate display of man’s desire to conquer a force of nature far stronger than himself. The bull, with its immense power and wild spirit, so far surpasses the rider in strength that merely staying atop for 8 seconds is considered victory. Just 8 seconds. And yet, few men accomplish it—some even lose their lives chasing that moment of triumph. (If this doesn’t resonate with you, it’s clear you’ve never listened to a Chris LeDoux song!)

With this deep-seated respect for the raw power of these animals ingrained in me as a boot-wearing, buckle-proud kid, you might think that when 18-year-old me had the chance to sign up for the Wild Cow Milking Contest at the Wheaton Rodeo, I would’ve made a wiser choice. But you’d be wrong.

For those unfamiliar, a Wild Cow Milking Contest is exactly as chaotic and crazy as it sounds. The event pits two morons—a “mugger” and a “milker”—against a 1,000-pound, very unhappy cow. The mugger’s task is to wrangle this wild creature by the head or horns and hold her still. The milker then has to dive in, dodge flying hooves, and squeeze out whatever drop of milk they can manage. The first team to produce a drop wins.

By some miracle, I won $100 that first night. So naturally, I swaggered back in my wranglers the next night—only to be dragged clear across Barry County by a cow far more stubborn than I was strong.

Here’s why I share this. At 18, I was all bulk and little brains, and I walked into that arena without an ounce of fear—until I saw the horns.

I can still picture that cow, thrashing in the chute next to me, her horns rattling the metal so fiercely I thought she’d tear the whole place down. In that moment, those horns represented a power I knew was beyond anything I could ever muster.

The cattle we know today, like the one that humbled me in Wheaton, descend from the aurochs, a now-extinct species of wild cattle that roamed Europe, Asia, and North Africa. These were massive beasts, and their strength was most vividly displayed in their horns—symbols of might and majesty. Hannah, was very familiar having grown up around these animals, and with this picture of strength in mind, she declares that in the Lord, her horn is now exalted.

Her strength—her victory—is not her own, but lifted high by the Lord’s power. A strength that humbles, and far exceeds her own, is now her source of hope!

It is in this power, that she says My mouth derides my enemies

Again, Hannah’s words are not meek or timid, but ferocious. In this term she continues building upon the animal imagery as she literally says “my mouth is wide against my enemies.” Like an animal ready to devour it’s pray, so Hannah’s God will devour those who have abused her.

Peninah’s hatred, and the chorus of the world that echoed her taunts through condemnation, are now silenced by the Sovereign power of God Almighty who has heard her cries and come to the rescue of His lowly servant, and beloved daughter.

And so we ask, how does she know this? By what power is her horn raised, with what confidence can she declare her enemies defeated?

In the last line of verse 1 she reveals the answer: because I rejoice in your salvation!

In this instance it’s easy to read her words and to think she is speaking merely of the Lord answering her prayer for a child, and in part she is, but there is far more to these words than that.

As Christians, we often think of our salvation as something that “happened” and we ignore the power of what is happening still!

In Hannah’s words we see that she is not only acknowledging God’s faithfulness in the present, but her words of praise echo the words of those prayed long before.

In Exodus 15, after God rescued His people at the Red Sea, Moses declares that the Lord has become my salvation.

And then, scripture says in:

Exodus 15:20–21 ESV

Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”

First, I have to acknowledge, as hard as it is for me to say, it seems God has fully endorsed the position of the “Pro-Tamborine” we just can’t get around it, so if you’re amongst the tambourine proud, quote this verse when you meet with Dustin and Connor…I would content this verse likely bolsters the position for the cowbell as well.

Miriam, and the women of God, they grabbed their tambourines and began to dance and sing a prayer of praise because God hade rescued His people from the land of Egypt, and from those who pursued them to the Red Sea, and like their praise continues 350 years later through their Gospel sister Hannah.

Hannah’s language closely mirrors that of Miriam, as she had undoubtedly heard the story of the faithful, tambourine-wielding sisters. Her recognition of God as her salvation is more than personal-it’s an acknowledgment that the same God who rescued His people then is still at work now and will continue His saving work through the son He has granted her.

Both Miriam’s Song (Exodus 15:20-21) and Hannah’s Prayer (1 Samuel 2:4, 10) proclaim this same truth: God overthrows the mighty and lifts up the lowly. Their words are filled with the imagery of battle, declaring that victory belongs to the Lord.

Just as Miriam sang of God’s triumph after the Red Sea, Hannah rejoices in His ongoing work of salvation. She stands in the long line of those who recognize that God is on the move, delivering, redeeming, and fulfilling His promises.

For He is:

A Transforming God - 1 Samuel 2:3-8

1 Samuel 2:3–8 ESV

Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world.

Hannah puts descriptive words to the humble position of her heart. Her boast of salvation is not a boast in her own doing, but it’s a complete rejection of pride in self.

Her praise is for the One she identifies as a God of Knowledge:

The prideful boast in what they know and perceive, they take steps based on what they can see and can conquer in their own might and wisdom. But Hannah, her confidence is not in what she can see, but in the One who sees all things and calls those humble enough to trust Him alone.

God transforms because God knows! We often deceive ourselves, convincing ourselves that we are stronger, wiser, or more in control than we really are. But there is no hiding from the One who formed us, who knew us before we were born.

In Him, there are no secrets.

We may put on a front with one another, masking our fears and insecurities, but we cannot deceive the God who sees all. He knows our hearts, our weaknesses, and our true dependence on Him—even when we refuse to admit it.

Through His eyes, nothing is uncertain. There are no mysteries about the future, no surprises in how things will unfold. What seems unpredictable or out of control to us is fully known to Him.

In 1 Samuel 2:4-8, Hannah sings of God’s power to humble the proud and lift up the lowly, and in this song, she exposes the false sources of pride that can deceive us. She highlights several areas where we are tempted to boast, only to remind us that God alone holds ultimate authority. As I read each of these, I am going to ask you a question, and I would ask you to be attentive to the Spirit as I ask it, perhaps write it down to meditate on later (I will also include them in the Memo this week).

1. Military Strength & Power – Trusting in Our Own Might

“The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength.” (1 Samuel 2:4)

In human history, nations have often boasted in their military strength, thinking that power and weaponry make them secure. But Hannah’s song reminds us that God does not measure strength the way we do. The bows of the mighty are broken, while the weak are strengthened by His power.

False pride comes when we believe our security is in what we can control—our might, our armies, our strategies. But time and again, Scripture shows that God brings down those who trust in their own power. Think of Miriam’s song sung in response to mighty Pharaoh and his chariots being swallowed by the sea. Goliath falling to a shepherd boy, or the Assyrians defeated without Israel lifting a sword. True strength is found not in our own power, but in reliance on the Lord. Paul therefore says “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10).

I ask you, on a daily basis, do you depend more on God’s strength or you own

To asses this, answer the question, how dependent are you on prayer each day?

2. Material Wealth & Prosperity – Believing We Are Self-Sufficient

“Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.” (1 Samuel 2:5)

There’s a kind of pride that comes with having more than enough. Wealth can deceive us into thinking we are self-made, that we are the source of our own security. But Hannah’s prayer warns us—God can flip the script at any moment. Those who were full may find themselves in need, and the hungry may be satisfied in Him. (I’ve seen this, NWA vs Newton County)

Jesus echoes this in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:3). The danger of pride in prosperity is that it blinds us to our dependence on God.

The rich fool in Jesus’ parable stored up treasures for himself, assuming his wealth guaranteed his future, but God said, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you.” (Luke 12:20). Wealth is not wrong, but trusting in it is.

Friend, do you see your money as a gift from God, or as your security?

To assess this, consider your willingness to tithe? When you’re asked to contribute regularly and faithfully to God’s church, what defenses rise up in your heart, and what do those reveal about where you believe your provision comes from?

3. Fertility & Family Status – Measuring Ourselves by Earthly Honor

“The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.” (1 Samuel 2:5)

In Hannah’s time, having children was a source of honor and status, and being barren was seen as a curse. Yet God reversed Hannah’s situation—she who was despised was lifted up, while those who boasted in their many children were humbled.

False pride comes when we define ourselves by worldly measures of success, whether it be family, reputation, or legacy. But God is the one who gives and takes away. He reminds us that our worth is not in what we produce, but in who we are in Him.

Jesus himself was born to a poor, seemingly insignificant woman, yet through Him, God changed the course of history. Our pride should never rest in earthly status, but in the God who works through the humble.

My question is this, If God has given you children, do you view them as His?

To asses this, are your children a reason to be more engaged in the life of the church, or is your family regularly an excuse to be less engaged?

If you don’t have children, but desire to, does your desire distance you from God, or like Hannah, does it lead you to His feet in worship? Can you worship in the waiting trusting that ultimately, He is enough?

4. Life & Death Itself – Thinking We Are in Control

“The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.” (1 Samuel 2:6)

Perhaps the greatest illusion of all mankind is the belief that we control our own destiny. We make plans, chase health and longevity, and assume we will see tomorrow. But Hannah’s song reminds us—life and death are in the hands of God alone.

The pride of self-sufficiency is dangerous, because the pursuit of having our “own life” actually keeps us from the blessing of “life to the fullest.” James warns us, “You do not know what tomorrow will bring… Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’” (James 4:14-15).

Only God has the power to give life and to take it away. And in Jesus, we see the ultimate reversal—He was brought down to the grave, but God raised Him up, securing eternal life for all who trust in Him.

Friend, do you live as though your life is in your own hands, or do you trust that your days are in God’s hands?

To assess this, consider how you respond to uncertainty about the future. When faced with illness, aging, or the unknown, do you find yourself anxious and grasping for control, or do you rest in God’s sovereignty over life and death? What do your fears reveal about where you place your trust?

5. Social & Economic Status – Assuming Success Is Our Doing

“The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts.” (1 Samuel 2:7)

The world operates by a simple principle: The successful deserve their success, and the poor must have failed somewhere along the way. But God’s kingdom works differently. He humbles the proud and lifts up the lowly.

Pride in wealth and social standing assumes we are the authors of our own success. But Scripture reminds us—every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). It is He who gives and takes away, not our own effort.

Jesus told the rich young ruler to give up his wealth and follow Him, and the man walked away sad. Why? Because his identity was in his riches, not in God. The danger of wealth is not in having it, but in letting it define us.

Church, do you measure your worth by your success, or by your identity in Christ?

To assess this, consider how you react when your position or status is challenged. Do you feel threatened when others surpass you, or do you rejoice in God’s ability to give and take away? What emotions rise up when you compare yourself to others, and what do they reveal about where you find your value?

6. Position of Authority & Influence – Forgetting Who Gave Us Our Seat

“He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor.” (1 Samuel 2:8)

The world chases influence, power, and position, but Hannah’s song reminds us that these things are not earned—they are given by God. Those who sit in seats of honor today may be brought low tomorrow, while those in the dust may be lifted up.

Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Matt. 20:26). The greatest in God’s kingdom are not those who seek power, but those who humble themselves.

Nebuchadnezzar learned this lesson the hard way. He boasted in his own kingdom, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power?” (Dan. 4:30). And in that moment, God humbled him.

Pride in position leads to downfall, but humility before God leads to true honor. The question is not, “How high can I rise?” but rather, “How well do I serve?”

Friend, do you see your leadership as a calling to serve, or as a position to be recognized?

To assess this, consider how you handle leadership opportunities. When given authority, do you use it to serve and lift others up, or do you seek recognition and control? What happens in your heart when you are overlooked or replaced, and what does that reveal about your understanding of God’s role in raising up and bringing down leaders?

Closing

As we close this morning with these reflective questions on our mind, I leave you not with discouragement over your shortcomings, but with good news that perfection has not only been modeled for us, but gifted to us through:

The Victorious God - 1 Samuel 2:9-10

1 Samuel 2:9–10 ESV

“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

We’ve seen that Hannah’s song seem to continue the praise of Miriam, and now, we conclude with the prayer of a young teenager that would continue this prayer of Hannah’s.

In Luke 1, the prayer that Mary prayer that she prays in the presence of her aunt Elizabeth, is so perfect and beautifully written that some have doubted that the words were spoken on the spot, thinking they were surely pre-written, in part because she seems at time to directly quote Hannah.

But, I believe this view is in error, failing to grasp the gravity of what was happening Mary’s womb. Consider Gabriel’s words to Mary in Luke 1:35

Luke 1:35 ESV

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God

Mary prays with words the Holy Spirit spoke to her, and thus, her prayer directly corresponds to Hannah’s because through her miraculous birth, God’s great reversal would be complete:

Hannah: “My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord.” (1 Sam. 2:1)

Mary: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46–47)

Hannah: “The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts.” (1 Sam. 2:7)

Mary: “He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate.” (Luke 1:52)

In these final verse of Hannah’s prayer, she becomes a prophetess. Her heart of praise for the son she had been given, transitions to announcement of the Son to come, as she says:

1 Samuel 2:9–10 ESV

he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

In these closing words, Hannah proclaims The Great Reversal of the Gospel!

Her song is intended to teach us to the way God works—He humbles the proud and lifts up the lowly. And nowhere do we see this more clearly than in Jesus Christ, the one Samuel would point to. He, though equal with God, made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant (Phil. 2:6-8).

He was brought low so that we might be raised up.

So, I ask you, where is our pride today? In your strength? Your wealth? Your status?

Or is it in the God who holds all things in His hands?

The call of Scripture is clear: James 4:10

James 4:10 ESV

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

The way up in God’s kingdom is always down friend. Let us be a people who boast not in ourselves, but in Christ alone. Join me in praying to that end.

Communion - The great reversal, the outcast, the denier, given a seat at King’s table