The praises of Hannah and Mary

The story of a woman named Hannah is related in First Samuel. Hannah was married to Elkanah, a Levite and a priest. For many years Hannah was childless. Hannah spent her years in tears and bitter disappointment. Finally Hannah reached the end of her rope. She prayed near the temple, in her day a rough building of wood, for Hannah lived a long time before King David, who built the first grand Temple. 

Hannah prayed, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life... ."

The prophet Eli happened to be sitting in a chair nearby and saw her utter the words but did not hear her voice. He thought she was drunk and told her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine."

Like Zechariah (Elizabeth's husband), like Joseph, like Abraham, Eli just didn’t get it. Hannah explained what she was doing, and then Eli gave her his blessing. 

Hannah did give birth to a son, Samuel, whom she turned over to Eli when Samuel was about three years old, so he would be brought up exclusively in the service of the Lord, as Hannah had promised. Then Hannah was overcome with gratitude and joy, leading her praise God.

Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies because I rejoice in your victory. There is no Holy One like the LORD, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.

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 gird on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. 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; he also 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.

He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked will perish in darkness, for not by might does one prevail. The LORD! His adversaries will be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the power of his anointed.

As an adult, Samuel led the people against the Philistines and selected Saul as the first king of Israel. He later anointed David as Saul’s successor. Pretty important guy in the history of the Jews!

Luke's Gospel relates that Mary, betrothed to a man named Joseph, was visited by the angel Gabriel, who told her that she had been selected by God to bear the Son of God into human birth. Joseph was not consulted about this but later learned the truth, that as Gabriel had told Mary, she would be with child by the Holy Spirit. 

Shortly afterward, Mary went to visit her relative, Elizabeth, and upon greeting her, burst into a canticle of praise that has endured through time as Mary's Magnificat.  

For centuries Christians have remarked on how much Mary’s Magnificat resembles Hannah’s song of praise. And so I have combined them as a responsive reading. 

Responsive reading: the praises of Hannah and Mary (Lk. 1:46b-55; 1 Sam. 2:1-10)

 Hannah: My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. I delight in his deliverance.

Mary: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

H: There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides him; there is no Rock like our God.

M: He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

H: The warriors’ bows are broken, but those who stumbled are made strong. 

M: God shows mercy to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

H: The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up.

M: He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.

M: He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

H: 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.

M: He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever.

H: The foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; upon them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced. 

H: It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. 

H: The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to his king and exalt his anointed. Amen.