1 Samuel 2:9b-14 - It is not by strength that one prevails

2:9b-11

The verse number divisions here do seem to be somewhat random, and not always in the best places. “It is not by strength that one prevails”. Human strength or resources are not enough. If someone opposes the Lord, then they will be broken. The Lord will thunder from heaven, and with judgement. Judgement is a fundamental characteristic of the Lord, and we must never forget that.

At the end of all this Elkanah (and his family) went home to Ramah. Samuel, however, remained with Eli, serving the Lord under Eli.

2:12-14

From the faithfulness and praise of Hannah we move to the wickedness of Eli’s sons. The NIV describes them as “scoundrels”, the ESV as “worthless men”, and the KJV as “sons of Belial”. The KJV is a literal translation, and NIV and ESV have given the meaning of the phrase. Under the Law priests were to take some food from the offerings (Lev 7:31,32; Deut 18:3), but Eli’s sons went far beyond this.