NOTES for Sa1 2:1-36
Samuel, whom the Lord gave to his mother, is given back to Him for service. From now on Samuel's whole life will be dedicated to God, and he will carry out his ministry worthily. Yet Samuel does not come from a priestly family, whereas Hophni and Phinehas, who possess the right to the priesthood by birth, disgrace their lineage.
It is not enough to have a hereditary right to something; it may be taken away when one's way of life is unworthy of the gift received as an inheritance. In the same way, traditional piety inherited from one's ancestors but reduced to a formality will not bring justification without genuine faithfulness to God.
Hannah, who gave her long-awaited child to the Lord, received many children. When she gave Samuel, she did not hope for a reward and did not intend to ask for anything in return. This only makes the depth of her trust in God more evident. It is no accident that her prayer resembles Mary's song preserved by Luke: “My soul magnifies the Lord.” Hannah's openness to the Lord prefigures Mary's openness and complete trust in God.