God is in complete control over life and death, and He uses His power to work His perfect will.
“The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up.” (1 Samuel 2:6). These words come from Hannah’s prayer, a prayer uttered around the 11th century BC by Hannah, who was the mother of the prophet Samuel. She offers this praise in response to God’s gracious gift of a son after she had been childless, acknowledging the absolute power and sovereignty of the Lord over both life and death. In Israelite culture, Sheol represents the grave or the realm of the dead, and Hannah’s statement recognizes that God’s authority extends even into that mysterious domain. By declaring that God alone both humbles and exalts, Hannah declares trust in Him for all aspects of existence, from conception and birth, to the finality of the grave.
“He brings down to Sheol and raises up.” (1 Samuel 2:6) further emphasizes that nothing lies beyond His reach or control. The ancient Israelites lived during a time when surrounding nations often credited various deities with specific functions—some were believed to govern birth, while others ruled over death. In contrast, Hannah proclaims that the God of Israel, the one true God, sustains both aspects of existence entirely. The statement also connects thematically to the overarching message of Scripture that God can bring restoration and renewal even out of desperate circumstances, as later reflected in passages about resurrection (Luke 14:14), and most profoundly in the resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:5-6).
Hannah’s journey in prayer and devotion marks a turning point in Israel’s history. Her son Samuel will become the final judge who will anoint the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David, thereby bridging the era of the judges and the monarchy. By acknowledging the Lord’s power over all life, she sets the stage for Israel’s unfolding story, where trusting God’s might and mercy is essential.
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1 Samuel 2:6 meaning
“The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up.” (1 Samuel 2:6). These words come from Hannah’s prayer, a prayer uttered around the 11th century BC by Hannah, who was the mother of the prophet Samuel. She offers this praise in response to God’s gracious gift of a son after she had been childless, acknowledging the absolute power and sovereignty of the Lord over both life and death. In Israelite culture, Sheol represents the grave or the realm of the dead, and Hannah’s statement recognizes that God’s authority extends even into that mysterious domain. By declaring that God alone both humbles and exalts, Hannah declares trust in Him for all aspects of existence, from conception and birth, to the finality of the grave.
“He brings down to Sheol and raises up.” (1 Samuel 2:6) further emphasizes that nothing lies beyond His reach or control. The ancient Israelites lived during a time when surrounding nations often credited various deities with specific functions—some were believed to govern birth, while others ruled over death. In contrast, Hannah proclaims that the God of Israel, the one true God, sustains both aspects of existence entirely. The statement also connects thematically to the overarching message of Scripture that God can bring restoration and renewal even out of desperate circumstances, as later reflected in passages about resurrection (Luke 14:14), and most profoundly in the resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:5-6).
Hannah’s journey in prayer and devotion marks a turning point in Israel’s history. Her son Samuel will become the final judge who will anoint the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David, thereby bridging the era of the judges and the monarchy. By acknowledging the Lord’s power over all life, she sets the stage for Israel’s unfolding story, where trusting God’s might and mercy is essential.