1 Samuel 2:6
Verse
Context
Hannah’s Prayer of Thanksgiving
5The well-fed hire themselves out for food, but the starving hunger no more. The barren woman gives birth to seven, but she who has many sons pines away. 6The LORD brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts.
Sermons
John Piper
Stephen Kaung
Samuel Rutherford
George Warnock
J.C. PhilpotJ.C. PhilpotSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
The Lord killeth - God is the arbiter of life and death; he only can give life, and he only has a right to take it away. He bringeth down to the grave - The Hebrew word שאול sheol, which we translate grave, seems to have the same meaning in the Old Testament with ἁδης, hades in the New, which is the word generally used by the Septuagint for the other. It means the grave, the state of the dead, and the invisible place, or place of separate spirits. Sometimes we translate it hell, which now means the state of perdition, or place of eternal torments; but as this comes from the Saxon, to cover or conceal, it means only the covered place. In some parts of England the word helling is used for the covers of a book, the slating of a house, etc. The Targum seems to understand it of death and the resurrection. "He kills and commands to give life; he causes to descend into Sheol, that in the time to come he may bring them into the lives of eternity," i.e., the life of shame and everlasting contempt, and the life of glory.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up--that is, He reduces to the lowest state of degradation and misery, and restores to prosperity and happiness.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The Lord killeth, and maketh alive,.... Which is true of different persons; some he takes away by death, and others he preserves and continues in life; and of the same persons, whom God removes by death, and restores them to life again, of which there are instances both in the Old and New Testament; and be they which they will, both are of God, he is the great Disposer of life and death. Death is of him; it is by his appointment; it is sent by his order; and when it has a commission from him, there is no resisting it; and let it be brought about by what means it will, still it is of God: and life is of him; it is first given by him, and it is preserved by him; and though taken away, it shall be restored at the resurrection of the dead; of which some interpret this clause, as Kimchi and Ben Gersom observe: and what is here said is true, in a spiritual sense; the Lord kills by the law, or shows men that they are dead in sin, and in a legal sense; and he makes alive by his Spirit, through the Gospel, quickening such who were dead in trespasses and sins; which is his own work, and the effect of divine power and grace; See Gill on Deu 32:39. he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up; he bringeth some very near to the grave, to the very brink of it; so that in their own apprehensions, and in the opinion of their friends, they are just dropping into it, and no hope of recovery left; when he says to them "Return", and brings them back from the pit, and delivers them from going into it, Job 33:22 and even when they are laid in it, he brings up out of it again, as in the case of Lazarus, and which will be the case in the resurrection, Joh 5:28.
1 Samuel 2:6
Hannah’s Prayer of Thanksgiving
5The well-fed hire themselves out for food, but the starving hunger no more. The barren woman gives birth to seven, but she who has many sons pines away. 6The LORD brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Don't Waste Your Life - Part 2
By John Piper1.8K07:041SA 2:6
This sermon emphasizes the sovereignty of God over life and death, drawing parallels from Job's declaration of surrender and worship to Hannah's faithfulness and trust in God's power. It highlights the importance of acknowledging God's control over our lives, as seen in Deuteronomy and James' teachings, and warns against the dangers of pride and arrogance in assuming control over our future. The message urges listeners to seek God's will and purpose for their lives, rather than pursuing material possessions or worldly gains, echoing Jesus' call to prioritize spiritual richness over earthly treasures.
Principles of Recovery: Travail: I Samuel
By Stephen Kaung1.4K59:43Recovery1SA 2:6In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of God acting on a higher law and how it can be difficult to understand. He uses the story of Hannah from the Old Testament as an example. Hannah was unable to have children and was provoked by another woman, but she made a vow to God that if he gave her a child, she would dedicate them to his service. Eventually, God answered her prayer and she gave birth to Samuel, who became a prophet. The preacher also emphasizes the importance of grace and how it is given with a purpose, not just for our enjoyment.
Viii. to John Kennedy, on His Deliverance From Shipwreck
By Samuel Rutherford0DEU 32:391SA 2:6HEB 12:7REV 1:18REV 3:19Samuel Rutherford preaches a heartfelt letter to a brother in Christ, expressing joy at his deliverance from a perilous sea journey and encouraging him to be steadfast in the face of trials. Rutherford reminds the brother of the constant spiritual battle against Satan's schemes and the need to cling to the Rock, Jesus Christ, for stability. He emphasizes the brevity of life and the importance of being prepared for the inevitable journey through death, urging the brother to fulfill his purpose with joy and a clear conscience. Rutherford encourages unwavering faith in Christ, who disciplines His children for their growth and eventual inheritance in heaven.
Setting Our Goals
By George Warnock01SA 2:6ISA 55:8JHN 14:6EPH 3:9PHP 3:8George Warnock preaches about the spiritual journey of seeking fulfillment and finality, emphasizing that in the spiritual realm, achieving goals only leads to new horizons, territories, and depths in God. He highlights the humility and smallness of the instruments God uses for His great works, contrasting it with the prevailing thought of thinking big in the Church. Warnock points out the importance of identifying with God's ways and being willing to lay down our own goals and pursuits to fully walk in His will, even if it means forsaking what we have already attained.
Spiritual Poverty and Heavenly Riches
By J.C. Philpot01SA 2:6PSA 45:14ISA 29:8ISA 55:8MAT 22:421CO 1:302CO 6:102CO 12:92CO 12:11J.C. Philpot preaches on the apparent contradictions in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, highlighting the harmony found in the Spirit's light. He delves into the Apostle Paul's experience of having nothing in self but possessing all things in Christ, emphasizing the need for divine teaching to reveal our spiritual poverty and Christ's sufficiency. Philpot explains how the stripping process by God's Spirit leads to a deeper understanding of our weakness and Christ's strength, righteousness, wisdom, and sanctification. Through Paul's example of being buffeted by Satan's messenger, Philpot illustrates the paradoxical yet harmonious nature of having nothing in self and possessing all things in Christ.
The Sin Sick Soul and the Great Physician
By J.C. Philpot01SA 2:6JOB 5:18PSA 73:5PSA 103:3PSA 110:3JER 33:6EZK 8:15MAT 9:12MAT 22:16JHN 8:3J.C. Philpot preaches about the need for a great Physician for those who are spiritually sick, drawing parallels from how Jesus dealt with cavilers and critics in the Bible. He emphasizes the importance of feeling the malady of sin, the deep depravity of the fallen nature, and the backsliding and idolatrous tendencies of the heart to truly recognize the need for the healing touch of Jesus. Philpot highlights that the Lord's Hospital is only for the incurables, those who have come to the end of themselves and realize their desperate need for the healing remedies of the great Physician. He encourages believers to seek the balm of Jesus' blood, the only remedy for a guilty conscience, and to trust in His power and willingness to heal all who come to Him in their sickness.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
The Lord killeth - God is the arbiter of life and death; he only can give life, and he only has a right to take it away. He bringeth down to the grave - The Hebrew word שאול sheol, which we translate grave, seems to have the same meaning in the Old Testament with ἁδης, hades in the New, which is the word generally used by the Septuagint for the other. It means the grave, the state of the dead, and the invisible place, or place of separate spirits. Sometimes we translate it hell, which now means the state of perdition, or place of eternal torments; but as this comes from the Saxon, to cover or conceal, it means only the covered place. In some parts of England the word helling is used for the covers of a book, the slating of a house, etc. The Targum seems to understand it of death and the resurrection. "He kills and commands to give life; he causes to descend into Sheol, that in the time to come he may bring them into the lives of eternity," i.e., the life of shame and everlasting contempt, and the life of glory.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up--that is, He reduces to the lowest state of degradation and misery, and restores to prosperity and happiness.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The Lord killeth, and maketh alive,.... Which is true of different persons; some he takes away by death, and others he preserves and continues in life; and of the same persons, whom God removes by death, and restores them to life again, of which there are instances both in the Old and New Testament; and be they which they will, both are of God, he is the great Disposer of life and death. Death is of him; it is by his appointment; it is sent by his order; and when it has a commission from him, there is no resisting it; and let it be brought about by what means it will, still it is of God: and life is of him; it is first given by him, and it is preserved by him; and though taken away, it shall be restored at the resurrection of the dead; of which some interpret this clause, as Kimchi and Ben Gersom observe: and what is here said is true, in a spiritual sense; the Lord kills by the law, or shows men that they are dead in sin, and in a legal sense; and he makes alive by his Spirit, through the Gospel, quickening such who were dead in trespasses and sins; which is his own work, and the effect of divine power and grace; See Gill on Deu 32:39. he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up; he bringeth some very near to the grave, to the very brink of it; so that in their own apprehensions, and in the opinion of their friends, they are just dropping into it, and no hope of recovery left; when he says to them "Return", and brings them back from the pit, and delivers them from going into it, Job 33:22 and even when they are laid in it, he brings up out of it again, as in the case of Lazarus, and which will be the case in the resurrection, Joh 5:28.