1 Samuel 2:1

Hannah Exalts the Lord in Prayer

2:1 Hannah prayed, 1 

“My heart rejoices in the Lord;

my horn 2  is exalted high because of the Lord.

I loudly denounce 3  my enemies,

for I am happy that you delivered me. 4 

1 Samuel 24:21

24:21 So now swear to me in the Lord’s name 5  that you will not kill 6  my descendants after me or destroy my name from the house of my father.”

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.”

5 tn Heb “by the Lord.”

6 tn Heb “cut off.”