This second visit to Shiloh was of an entirely different nature from that recorded in ch. 1. Then Hannah’s burden was an intercession for herself; now it is a great litany of praise. As a result of her full surrender to the Lord she is happy for the privilege of giving back to her Creator that which He has given her. In doing so she experiences the highest form of joy, for has she not learned to appreciate His loving-kindness in a new way? She extols God as the author of mercy revealed in His compassion to the helpless. She gains a new vision of His power, now evident in His control over the hidden forces of nature, in silently counteracting the forces of evil that would dishearten and defeat her, and in causing an evil environment itself to contribute immeasurably to the depth and fullness of her joy. She understands anew the covenant made with her forefathers, that God’s children should become a blessing to all nations. Hannah’s song of joy was an inspired prophecy of David and of the Messiah (PP 572).

 Hannah’s experience may have proved to be the greatest blessing that could come into Peninnah’s life. God was as anxious to save Peninnah as He was to save Hannah. How could He accomplish this more effectively than by showing the exaltation of a soul that trusted Him and did not retaliate evil for evil? Such was Christ’s method in trying to win Simon the leper—by showing the blessing that could come to Mary Magdalene (Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:37-50). Simon learned his lesson, and became an earnest discipline (DA 567, 568). Did Peninnah learn her lesson?