1 Samuel 2:3

2:3 Don’t keep speaking so arrogantly, ¹ 

letting proud talk come out of your mouth!

For the Lord is a God who knows;

he ²  evaluates what people do.

1 Samuel 2:1

Hannah Exalts the Lord in Prayer

2:1 Hannah prayed, ³ 

“My heart rejoices in the Lord;

my horn ⁴  is exalted high because of the Lord.

I loudly denounce ⁵  my enemies,

for I am happy that you delivered me. ⁶ 

1 Tawarikh 29:17

29:17 I know, my God, that you examine thoughts ⁷  and are pleased with integrity. With pure motives ⁸  I contribute all this; and now I look with joy as your people who have gathered here contribute to you.

[2:3]  ¹ tn Heb “proudly, proudly.” If MT is original, the repetition of the word is for emphasis, stressing the arrogance of those addressed. However, a few medieval Hebrew manuscripts and some other textual witnesses do not reflect the repetition, suggesting that the Hebrew text may be dittographic.

[2:3]  ² tc The MT (Qere) reads “and by him actions are weighed.” The translation assumes that reading of the Qere וְלוֹ (vÿlo, “and by him”), which is supported by many medieval Hebrew mss, is correct, rather than the reading of the Kethib וְלוֹא (vÿlo’, “and not”).

[2:1]  ³ tn Heb “prayed and said.” This is somewhat redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified in the translation.

[2:1]  ⁴ 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.

[2:1]  ⁵ tn Heb “my mouth opens wide against.”

[2:1]  ⁶ tn Heb “for I rejoice in your deliverance.”

[29:17]  ⁷ tn Heb “a heart.”

[29:17]  ⁸ tn Heb “with integrity of heart.”