Faith, Favor, and the Future King: Lessons From Hannah’s Song

By Gabi Bemis

“Then Hannah prayed and said: ‘My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away. The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The Lordsends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness. It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.’ Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the Lord under Eli the priest.”—1 Samuel 2:1–11 (NIV)

In a moment of utter joy, what are the first words to leave your mouth? Perhaps it’s a shout or a cry of excitement. For Hannah, her heart was so overjoyed that she burst into a song of praise and thanksgiving. In her prayer, we see a profound expression of gratitude and three significant truths that bear relevance for us today.

God’s Character Is Magnified

Hannah’s joy was rooted in God Himself. Reflecting on this passage, Matthew Henry writes, “Hannah's heart rejoiced, not in Samuel, but in the Lord. She looks beyond the gift and praises the giver.” While Hannah had received her miracle, her heart was captivated by the God who heard her cries—the Rock she clung to in her distress, the Sovereign Lord who opened her womb, and the Almighty who is strong enough to carry the weary and afflicted.

Her song reflects a deep understanding of God’s greatness and splendor. She declares, “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2). Her words invite us to fix our eyes not on the gifts we receive but on the giver of every good and perfect gift.

The Economy of God’s Kingdom

In her prayer, Hannah glimpses the upside-down reality of God’s kingdom—a theme later seen in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. She attests to the reversal of fortunes that occurs when God’s kingdom breaks into our world: the proud are humbled, the hungry are fed, the barren bear children, and the lowly are exalted. Hannah’s life was a living testimony to this. In her need and barrenness, God met her with His extravagant grace and changed her story.

Her song highlights that it’s not human strength or effort but humble dependence on God that ushers in His favor. God delights in lifting the broken and meeting the needs of those who recognize their need for Him.

The Ultimate Promise Fulfilled

Hannah’s song not only reflects the events in her own life but also foreshadows God’s ultimate plan of redemption. She sings of a king who will be strengthened and an anointed one whose horn will be exalted: “He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed” (1 Samuel 2:10).

The term "horn" (Hebrew: qeren) held deep symbolic meaning. An animal’s horn, such as that of an ox, was a symbol of strength and power. Horns were also used as instruments in the anointing of priests (and future kings). Hannah’s reference to the “horn of His anointed” foreshadows the coming Messiah—Jesus Christ.

Hannah’s story ultimately points us to Jesus. He’s the eternal King, the humble servant who took on human flesh, the Rock on whom we can build our lives, and the anointed One who came to redeem not only Hannah but the entire world.

When we encounter Jesus—the gift and the giver—we, like Hannah, are compelled to worship. Our hearts cannot help but burst into songs of praise for the One who sees us in our distress, redeems our brokenness, and transforms our lives by His grace. May we, like Hannah, rejoice in the ultimate gift and giver Himself: Jesus.

Pause: Where have you experienced God’s redemption in your life? Where are you in need of His redemption still?

Practice: Listen to the song “Defender” by Rita Springer and ask yourself where you see Hannah’s connections to that song and the connections in your own life.

Pray: Father, I praise You for You’re my redeemer. You alone have the power to save and restore. Thank You Father for rescuing me, restoring me, and bringing me into relationship with You once again. I love You, Lord. May others look at my life and see evidence of Your power and love. Use my life as a testimony to others of what You can do. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.