1 Samuel 1 19

1 Samuel 1:19 kjv

And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.

1 Samuel 1:19 nkjv

Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.

1 Samuel 1:19 niv

Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her.

1 Samuel 1:19 esv

They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.

1 Samuel 1:19 nlt

The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship the LORD once more. Then they returned home to Ramah. When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the LORD remembered her plea,

1 Samuel 1 verses

1 Samuel 1 19 Meaning

This verse details the return of Elkanah and Hannah from Shiloh to their home in Ramah after their annual worship, highlighting their continued devotion and a pivotal divine intervention: "the Lord remembered her." This remembrance signifies God's favorable attention and active intervention in Hannah's barrenness, fulfilling her earnest prayer. It marks the immediate precursor to the conception and birth of Samuel.

1 Samuel 1 19 Context

1 Samuel chapter 1 introduces Elkanah and his two wives, Peninnah (who had children) and Hannah (who was barren and beloved by Elkanah). The annual pilgrimage to Shiloh, where the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant were located, was central to their religious life. The narrative establishes Hannah's deep distress over her barrenness, amplified by Peninnah's constant provocation. Hannah's fervent, soul-pouring prayer before the Lord at Shiloh (1:9-16) and Eli the priest's blessing upon her (1:17) directly precede verse 19. This verse marks the immediate transition from prayer and pilgrimage to the anticipation and realization of God's answer, emphasizing their continued faithful worship even as they returned to their daily lives. The historical setting is the period of the judges, characterized by moral and spiritual decline, making the faithful devotion of Elkanah's family and God's intervention stand out.

1 Samuel 1 19 Word analysis

• And they rose up early in the morning: Hebrew: va'yashkīmu babbōqer (וַיַּשְׁכִּ֙ימוּ בַבֹּ֜קֶר). The verb shākam (שָׁכַם) implies diligent and earnest action. Rising early (or "at dawn") often indicates devotion, readiness for work or a spiritual act (Gen 22:3 for Abraham; Exod 34:4 for Moses; Josh 3:1 for Israel crossing Jordan). Here, it highlights their continued dedication and the importance of communal worship before their departure from Shiloh.
• and worshiped: Hebrew: va'yishtacha̱wū (וַיִּשְׁתַּֽחֲווּ). From the verb shāḥāh (שָׁחָה), meaning "to bow down" or "to prostrate oneself." This denotes an act of deep reverence, submission, and adoration toward God. It implies their solemn observance of their pilgrimage duties, offering sacrifices or prayers before the Lord's presence at the tabernacle.
• before the Lord: Refers to the physical location of worship at the tabernacle in Shiloh, where the presence of Yahweh was uniquely manifested. It underscores the directness of their devotion and access to God.
• and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: This details their journey home, emphasizing the continuity of their life with their faith. Their spiritual pilgrimage concludes with their return to everyday life, but the divine act initiated at Shiloh carries over into their domestic sphere. Ramah was their home town, north of Jerusalem.
• and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife: Hebrew: va'yēdaʿ ’elqānáh ’et ḥannâ ’ishttō. The verb yāḏaʿ (יָדַע) meaning "to know" in a biblical context, particularly regarding sexual relations, indicates intimate marital union. This is not just a casual mention but a crucial element in the narrative, preceding Hannah's conception. It frames the human side of procreation within the sacred bounds of marriage.
• and the Lord remembered her: Hebrew: vayyizkōr Yĕhovāh ’ôtāh. This is the climactic phrase. The verb zāḵar (זָכַר), "to remember," in biblical Hebrew, goes beyond mere mental recall. It signifies a divine act of covenant faithfulness, an active turning towards someone with favorable intention, leading to intervention and action. For God to "remember" is to fulfill a promise, answer a prayer, or intervene providentially on behalf of an individual or people (Gen 8:1; Exod 2:24; Gen 30:22). Here, it explicitly links God's active power to Hannah's long-sought desire for a child. This is a theological statement, attributing the subsequent pregnancy directly to God's gracious intervention.

• "they rose up early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord": This phrase highlights the consistent piety and commitment of Elkanah's household. Even after an emotionally draining visit (for Hannah), their first act on the day of departure is to offer worship. This exemplifies diligence in spiritual practices, demonstrating faith that precedes the full manifestation of the answer.
• "Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her": The direct juxtaposition of human action (marital intimacy) and divine action ("the Lord remembered her") is profound. It subtly indicates that human biological processes are not autonomous but ultimately work under the sovereign will and design of God, especially when barrenness is involved. It emphasizes that while human actions are part of the process, God is the ultimate giver of life, intervening supernaturally even within natural processes.

1 Samuel 1 19 Bonus section

The concept of God "remembering" (Hebrew zakhar) in the Old Testament is a significant theological motif. It often occurs in contexts of divine covenant, prayer answered, or relief from affliction. It means that God does not just recall a past event or person, but actively intervenes on their behalf to fulfill His purposes or promises. This "remembrance" contrasts with the notion of deities in pagan cultures who might need to be "reminded" or compelled. In 1 Samuel 1:19, Yahweh "remembers" Hannah out of His own sovereign will and covenant faithfulness, not due to ritual manipulation. This specific act of remembrance highlights God's character as One who hears, responds, and actively engages with human supplication, demonstrating His unique power over life and barrenness in direct contrast to pagan fertility cults prevalent in the ancient Near East. This verse begins the answer to Hannah's petition, making Samuel's birth entirely attributable to divine power rather than natural causes or human effort alone, thereby setting Samuel apart as a child dedicated to the Lord from conception.

1 Samuel 1 19 Commentary

Verse 19 encapsulates a pivotal moment where faith, prayer, and divine sovereignty intersect. Hannah and Elkanah's morning worship before leaving Shiloh underscores their consistent devotion, suggesting that their spiritual life was deeply ingrained, not just an annual formality. The subsequent act of marital intimacy is placed in immediate succession to their worship and God's intervention, implicitly connecting human procreation with divine design and blessing. The declaration "the Lord remembered her" is the central theological truth of the verse. This is not simply God recalling Hannah's prayer, but actively, supernaturally intervening to change her barren condition. This divine remembrance is the fulfillment of Eli's blessing and Hannah's fervent prayer, affirming God's attentiveness to the cries of His people and His power to act. It establishes that the subsequent conception of Samuel is entirely a work of God's grace and power, setting the stage for Samuel's extraordinary role in Israel.