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1 Samuel 2
New Catholic Bible
1 Samuel 2
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 2
1 [a]Then Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart rejoices in the Lord,
my horn is lifted high in the Lord.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I rejoice in my salvation.
2 There is no holy one like the Lord,
there is none beside you,
nor is there a rock like our God.
3 [b]Do not talk so proudly
nor let arrogance come forth from your mouth,
for the Lord is a knowing God,
and by him actions are weighed.
4 The bows of the mighty are broken,
the feeble are clothed in strength.
5 The well-fed hire themselves out for bread,
and the hungry cease to hunger.
The barren has borne seven times,
while she who has many children grows faint.
6 The Lord kills and brings to life.
He brings down to Sheol, and lifts up.
7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich,
he humbles and he also exalts.
8 He raises the poor from the dust,
and from the refuse he lifts up the beggar,
To seat them among princes,
that they might inherit a throne of glory.
For the Lord’s are the pillars of the earth,
and he has set the world upon them.
9 He will guard the feet of his saints,
but the wicked will be cut off in the darkness,
for by strength none shall prevail.
10 Those who oppose the Lord will be shattered,
he will thunder against them from the heavens,
the Lord will judge the ends of the earth,
He will give strength to his king,
and exalt the horn of his anointed one.”
11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the child ministered before the Lord under Eli the priest.
12 The Sons of Eli.[c][d]Now Eli’s sons were sons of Belial, they had no regard for the Lord. 13 This is how the priests would deal with the people when anyone came to offer a sacrifice: the priest’s servant would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand. 14 He would stick it in the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot. Everything that he would bring up with the fork was for the priest. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came up to Shiloh. 15 Even before the fat was burned, the priest’s servant would come up to a man and say, “Give the priest some meat to roast. He will not take any boiled meat from you, only raw meat.” 16 If the man said to him, “Let the fat be burned first, then you can take what you want,” he would answer him, “No! Give it to me now, or I will take it by force.” 17 The young men’s sin was very serious before the Lord, for they were treating the Lord’s offering with contempt.
18 Hannah’s Family Grows. Samuel was ministering to the Lord, a boy wearing a linen ephod.[e] 19 His mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him each year when she came up with her husband to offer their yearly sacrifice. 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife saying, “May the Lord grant you children from this woman in place of the one you have dedicated to the Lord.” They then went home. 21 The Lord was gracious to Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Young Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.
22 Eli’s Warning Ignored. Now Eli was very old, and he heard about all the things that his sons were doing to the whole of Israel, how they lay with the woman who gathered at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 He said to them, “Why do you do these things? I have been hearing about your evil deeds from everyone. 24 No, my sons! It is an evil report that I hear among the Lord’s people. 25 If one man sins against another, then a judge will judge him. If a man sins against God, who will intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father’s rebuke, for the Lord wanted to put them to death.[f]
26 Meanwhile young Samuel grew in stature and favor with the Lord and with men.
27 The Punishment of Eli’s Sons.[g]Now a man of God came to Eli and said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Did I not clearly reveal myself to your father’s house when they were in Egypt, in Pharaoh’s house? 28 Did I not choose him from out of all of the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod before me? Did I not give your father’s house all of the burnt offerings of the Israelites? 29 Why do you scorn my sacrifice and my offering that I have prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choicest of the offerings of my people Israel?
30 “ ‘Therefore,’ says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Even though I declared that you and your father’s house would minister before me forever, now, far be it from me,’ says the Lord. ‘I will honor those who honor me, and those who despise me will be despised. 31 Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that not a single old man remains in your house. 32 You will see the distress of my dwelling in spite of all that I have given Israel. In your house there will never again be an old man. 33 Everyone of you whom I do not cut off from my altar will be spared so that you can cry out your eyes and grieve your heart. All the descendants of your house will die in the prime of their life.
34 “ ‘This will be a sign for you of what will come upon your two sons, upon Hophni and Phinehas. They will both die on the same day. 35 But I will raise up for myself a faithful priest who will do what is my in heart and my mind. I will firmly establish his house, and he will walk before my anointed forever. 36 Whoever is left in your house will bow down to him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread. He will say, “Please place me in one of the priest’s offices so that I might have a piece of bread to eat.” ’ ”
Footnotes
- 1 Samuel 2:1 This canticle was composed later on, but it suits the event described so well that Mary’s Magnificat is largely inspired by it (Lk 1:46ff).
- 1 Samuel 2:3 Hannah had no need to remonstrate with those (i.e., Peninnah) who had shown her disrespect because she knew God as the supreme judge and trusted in his divine justice.
- 1 Samuel 2:12 The lengthy episode about the prophet explains why, in the time of Solomon, the high priesthood was transferred from Abiathar, a descendant of Eli, to Zadok (1 Ki 2:27-35). It also justifies the removal of various local sanctuaries from Levite control after the centralization of worship in Jerusalem (2 Ki 23:9) toward the end of the seventh century.
- 1 Samuel 2:12 Under the law, Eli’s sons, who were priests, had many advantages. They were, however, filled with greed and took more than their due, thereby undermining their position. Eli’s failure to take action caused hardship for others and in the end destroyed his and his sons’ relationship with God.
- 1 Samuel 2:18 Ephod: a priestly garment that little Samuel was already wearing, although his was not made of the same precious material as the priests’.
- 1 Samuel 2:25 The Lord . . . put them to death: because of their deception, sinfulness, and arrogance against God and the people they served, the Lord would no longer protect Eli’s sons, and this led to their death.
- 1 Samuel 2:27 The high priesthood, which, after Aaron, had belonged to his son Eleazar (Num 20:25-28), had been transferred to the line of the latter’s younger brother, Ithamar (1 Chr 24:3), at a time and in a way not recorded in the Bible. The present prophecy will soon begin to be fulfilled in the killing of Ahimelech and the other priests of Nob (1 Sam 22:11-18, 20), although Abiathar, Ahimelech’s son, will be saved on that occasion, only to be removed by Solomon.
撒母耳记上 2
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
撒母耳记上 2
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
哈娜的祷告
2 哈娜祷告说：
“我的心因耶和华而欢喜，
我的力量因耶和华而倍增，
我的口向敌人夸耀，
我因耶和华的拯救而快乐。
2 “耶和华圣洁无比，
独一无二，
没有磐石像我们的上帝。
3 不要再骄横傲慢、口出狂言，
因为耶和华鉴察万事，
祂会按着人的行为施行审判。
4 勇士的弓被折断，
软弱的变为刚强。
5 素来丰衣足食的为糊口而当雇工，
本来食不果腹的却不再挨饿。
不育的妇人现在生了七个孩子，
儿女成群的妇人却子女尽失。
6 耶和华掌管生死，
祂使人进入坟墓，也使人起死回生。
7 贫穷富足在于祂，
卑微高贵也在于祂。
8 祂从灰尘中提拔穷苦的人，
从粪堆里擢升贫贱的人，
使他们与王子同坐，
得享尊荣。
大地的根基属于耶和华，
祂在上面建立了世界。
9 祂保护祂的圣民，
使恶人在黑暗中灭亡，
因为得胜不是靠人的勇力。
10 跟耶和华对抗的人必被击溃，
祂必从天上用雷击打他。
祂必审判天下，
赐力量给祂所立的君王，
使祂所膏立的人大有权柄。”
11 以利加拿返回了拉玛，小撒母耳却留在了示罗，在祭司以利的带领下事奉耶和华。
以利的恶子
12 以利的两个儿子为人邪恶，不敬畏耶和华， 13 对民众不守自己做祭司的职分。每当民众来献祭，还在煮祭肉的时候，他们的仆人便拿着三齿叉来， 14 从罐里、鼎里、釜里或锅里插肉，把插上来的祭肉据为己有。他们这样对待所有到示罗来的以色列人。 15 甚至在焚烧脂肪之前，祭司的仆人就来对献祭的人说：“把肉给祭司烤吧！他不要煮过的，只要生的。” 16 如果献祭的人答道：“要先焚烧脂肪，之后你可以随便拿。”仆人便会说：“不，你现在就给我，不然我就要抢了。” 17 在耶和华的眼中，这两个青年罪恶深重，因为他们轻视献给耶和华的祭物。
18 那时年少的撒母耳穿着细麻布的以弗得，在耶和华面前事奉。 19 他母亲每年都为他缝一件小外衣，在她和丈夫来献年祭时带给他。 20 以利祝福以利加拿和他妻子，对他说：“愿耶和华让你妻子再给你生儿育女，代替她求来并献给耶和华的孩子。”他们就回家去了。 21 耶和华眷顾哈娜，她又生了三个儿子和两个女儿。年少的撒母耳在耶和华面前渐渐长大。
22 以利年事已高，他听说两个儿子对待以色列人的恶行，以及他们与在会幕门口供职的妇女行淫的事后， 23 就对他们说：“你们为什么做这样的事？我从百姓口中听说了有关你们的恶行。 24 我儿啊，不可这样，我听到在耶和华的子民中流传着你们的坏名声。 25 人若得罪了别人，有上帝为他们调解。但人若得罪了耶和华，谁能为他调解呢？”然而，他们不肯听从父亲的话，因为耶和华决意要杀他们。
26 小撒母耳渐渐长大，深受耶和华和民众的喜爱。
预言以利家的遭祸
27 有一个上帝的仆人来见以利，对他说：“耶和华说，‘你的祖先在埃及被法老奴役的时候，我向他们显现。 28 我在以色列各支派中选出你的先祖做我的祭司，在我的祭坛上献祭烧香，穿着以弗得事奉我。我把以色列人献的火祭都赐给你先祖家。 29 你们为什么蔑视献给我的祭物和供品？你为什么把你的儿子看得比我还重要，拿我以色列子民所献的上好祭物来养肥自己？’
30 “所以，以色列的上帝耶和华宣告说，‘我曾经应许让你们家族永远做我的祭司。’但现在耶和华宣布，‘这绝不可能了。尊重我的，我必尊重他；藐视我的，必遭藐视。 31 看啊，时候将到，我要终结你和你家族的力量，你们家族必没有一个老人。 32 你必以羡慕的眼光看着我赐福以色列人，你家中却永远没有一个老人。 33 我不会把你家中的人从我坛前灭绝，但留下来的人必使你哭瞎双眼、伤心欲绝。你的子孙必中年夭亡。 34 你的两个儿子何弗尼和非尼哈必死在同一天，这就是我言出必行的记号。 35 我要为自己立一位忠心的祭司，他必照我的心意行事。我要赐福给他的后代，他必永远服侍我膏立的王。 36 那时，你家存留下来的人要在他面前下拜，乞讨银子和饼，并恳求说，请给我一个祭司的职位以便糊口！’”
1 Samuel 2
New International Version
1 Samuel 2
New International Version
Hannah’s Prayer
2 Then Hannah prayed and said:(A)
“My heart rejoices(B) in the Lord;
in the Lord my horn[a](C) is lifted high.
My mouth boasts(D) over my enemies,(E)
for I delight in your deliverance.
2 “There is no one holy(F) like(G) the Lord;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock(H) like our God.
3 “Do not keep talking so proudly
or let your mouth speak such arrogance,(I)
for the Lord is a God who knows,(J)
and by him deeds(K) are weighed.(L)
4 “The bows of the warriors are broken,(M)
but those who stumbled are armed with strength.(N)
5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
but those who were hungry(O) are hungry no more.
She who was barren(P) has borne seven children,
but she who has had many sons pines away.
6 “The Lord brings death and makes alive;(Q)
he brings down to the grave and raises up.(R)
7 The Lord sends poverty and wealth;(S)
he humbles and he exalts.(T)
8 He raises(U) the poor(V) from the dust(W)
and lifts the needy(X) from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor.(Y)
“For the foundations(Z) of the earth are the Lord’s;
on them he has set the world.
9 He will guard the feet(AA) of his faithful servants,(AB)
but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.(AC)
“It is not by strength(AD) that one prevails;
10 those who oppose the Lord will be broken.(AE)
The Most High will thunder(AF) from heaven;
the Lord will judge(AG) the ends of the earth.
11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah,(AJ) but the boy ministered(AK) before the Lord under Eli the priest.
Eli’s Wicked Sons
12 Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard(AL) for the Lord. 13 Now it was the practice(AM) of the priests that, whenever any of the people offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand while the meat(AN) was being boiled 14 and would plunge the fork into the pan or kettle or caldron or pot. Whatever the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. 15 But even before the fat was burned, the priest’s servant would come and say to the person who was sacrificing, “Give the priest some meat to roast; he won’t accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.”
16 If the person said to him, “Let the fat(AO) be burned first, and then take whatever you want,” the servant would answer, “No, hand it over now; if you don’t, I’ll take it by force.”
17 This sin of the young men was very great in the Lord’s sight, for they[b] were treating the Lord’s offering with contempt.(AP)
18 But Samuel was ministering(AQ) before the Lord—a boy wearing a linen ephod.(AR) 19 Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual(AS) sacrifice. 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed(AT) for and gave to[c] the Lord.” Then they would go home. 21 And the Lord was gracious to Hannah;(AU) she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew(AV) up in the presence of the Lord.
22 Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything(AW) his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women(AX) who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. 24 No, my sons; the report I hear spreading among the Lord’s people is not good. 25 If one person sins against another, God[d] may mediate for the offender; but if anyone sins against the Lord, who will(AY) intercede(AZ) for them?” His sons, however, did not listen to their father’s rebuke, for it was the Lord’s will to put them to death.
26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow(BA) in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.(BB)
Prophecy Against the House of Eli
27 Now a man of God(BC) came to Eli and said to him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Did I not clearly reveal myself to your ancestor’s family when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh? 28 I chose(BD) your ancestor out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense,(BE) and to wear an ephod(BF) in my presence. I also gave your ancestor’s family all the food offerings(BG) presented by the Israelites. 29 Why do you[e] scorn my sacrifice and offering(BH) that I prescribed for my dwelling?(BI) Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?’
30 “Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.(BJ)’ But now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor,(BK) but those who despise(BL) me will be disdained.(BM) 31 The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your priestly house, so that no one in it will reach old age,(BN) 32 and you will see distress(BO) in my dwelling. Although good will be done to Israel, no one in your family line will ever reach old age.(BP) 33 Every one of you that I do not cut off from serving at my altar I will spare only to destroy your sight and sap your strength, and all your descendants(BQ) will die in the prime of life.
34 “‘And what happens to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be a sign(BR) to you—they will both die(BS) on the same day.(BT) 35 I will raise up for myself a faithful priest,(BU) who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his priestly house, and they will minister before my anointed(BV) one always. 36 Then everyone left in your family line will come and bow down before him for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread and plead,(BW) “Appoint me to some priestly office so I can have food to eat.(BX)”’”
Footnotes
- 1 Samuel 2:1 Horn here symbolizes strength; also in verse 10.
- 1 Samuel 2:17 Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint; Masoretic Text people
- 1 Samuel 2:20 Dead Sea Scrolls; Masoretic Text and asked from
- 1 Samuel 2:25 Or the judges
- 1 Samuel 2:29 The Hebrew is plural.
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified) (CCB)
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New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.