1 Samuel 2:21 kjv
And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
1 Samuel 2:21 nkjv
And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
1 Samuel 2:21 niv
And the LORD was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.
1 Samuel 2:21 esv
Indeed the LORD visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the LORD.
1 Samuel 2:21 nlt
And the LORD blessed Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.
1 Samuel 2 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Divine Remembrance & Barrenness Overcome | ||
| Gen 21:1 | The LORD visited Sarah as He had said... | God remembers promises and blesses the barren. |
| Gen 30:22 | Then God remembered Rachel... | God opens the womb for those who wait on Him. |
| Psa 113:9 | He makes the barren woman abide in her house as a joyful mother of children. | God's power to grant fertility. |
| Isa 54:1 | Sing, O barren one, who did not bear... | Prophecy of joy for the formerly barren. |
| Lk 1:7 | ...because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. | Barrenness as a context for divine intervention. |
| Blessing of Offspring & Covenant Faithfulness | ||
| Psa 127:3 | Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. | Children are a gift and blessing from God. |
| Gen 1:28 | Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth... | First command and blessing for humanity. |
| Gen 9:1 | Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth... | Covenant renewal with Noah and blessing of progeny. |
| Gen 12:2 | I will make of you a great nation... | Promise to Abraham of numerous descendants. |
| Deu 7:14 | ...there shall not be a male or female barren among you... | Covenant blessing of abundant fertility. |
| Vow and Fulfillment | ||
| 1 Sam 1:11 | if You will indeed give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the LORD... | Hannah's vow of dedication to God. |
| 1 Sam 2:1 | My heart exults in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD. | Hannah's song of thanksgiving and praise. |
| Psa 50:14 | Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows... | Emphasizes paying vows to God. |
| Ecc 5:4 | When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it... | Timely fulfillment of vows is essential. |
| Heb 10:23 | Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. | God's faithfulness in fulfilling His word. |
| Growth & Favor before the Lord | ||
| 1 Sam 2:26 | Now the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men. | Samuel's continued holistic growth in favor. |
| Lk 2:40 | The Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him. | Jesus' growth, mirroring Samuel's spiritual development. |
| Lk 2:52 | And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. | Jesus' progressive, well-rounded development. |
| Gen 39:2 | The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a prosperous man... | God's presence brings success and favor. |
| Act 2:47 | praising God and having favor with all the people. | The early church growing in divine and human favor. |
| Pro 3:4 | So you will find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. | Wisdom brings favor with God and people. |
| 2 Tim 3:15 | ...from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you wisdom... | Importance of early spiritual instruction. |
1 Samuel 2 verses
1 Samuel 2 21 Meaning
This verse profoundly illustrates God's faithful remembrance and abundant blessing upon Hannah, fulfilling her heartfelt prayer by enabling her to conceive and bear five more children. Simultaneously, it highlights the consistent divine favor and spiritual growth of the child Samuel, signifying his dedicated service and developing stature "before the LORD" in the Tabernacle at Shiloh.
1 Samuel 2 21 Context
This verse is situated at a pivotal moment in the narrative of Hannah and the nascent prophet Samuel, bridging the first chapter's depiction of Hannah's anguish and fervent prayer with her subsequent song of thanksgiving in the second chapter. Following her barrenness and dedication of Samuel to the Lord, the LORD's "visitation" in verse 21 serves as divine confirmation and overflowing blessing upon her faithfulness. Historically, this occurs during the era of the Judges, a time characterized by spiritual and moral decline in Israel (Jdg 21:25), specifically under the corrupt priesthood of Eli and his sons (1 Sam 2:12-17). The contrast between Eli's wicked sons and the developing character of Samuel is stark and sets the stage for God's raising up a righteous leader to deliver His people. This verse underscores God's sovereignty over life, His remembrance of His covenant people, and His preparation of a chosen vessel for His redemptive plans, despite the widespread spiritual malaise.
1 Samuel 2 21 Word analysis
And the LORD visited Hannah:
- And the LORD: This emphasizes God's personal involvement and sovereign initiative. It is YHWH, Israel's covenant God, who actively intervenes, distinguishing Him from any passive or ineffectual deities.
- visited (
פָּקַד, paqad): This significant Hebrew verb means "to visit," "to attend to," "to remember," or "to muster." In this context, it unequivocally denotes a favorable divine intervention—God remembered Hannah's prayer (1 Sam 1:11) and graciously acted, showing His presence in her life for blessing. It is not a mere observation but an active, purposeful engagement. - Hannah: The direct recipient of God's divine act of remembrance and favor. Her name meaning "grace" or "favor" aligns with the blessing she receives. Her story exemplifies the power of earnest, persistent prayer.
so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters.
- so that: This conjunction clearly establishes the direct consequence and intended outcome of God's visitation, showcasing His cause-and-effect power.
- she conceived (
הָרָה, harah): Highlighting God's miraculous power over her previous barrenness, the divine intervention directly enabled this biological event. - and bore (
יָלְדָה, yaledah): A simple factual statement of the successful delivery, underscoring the completeness of the blessing God bestowed. - three sons and two daughters: This specifies the abundance of God's blessing. Hannah had originally requested just one son (1 Sam 1:11). God's generosity far exceeded her petition, providing her with five additional children, illustrating His overflow of grace and ability to give abundantly beyond what is asked or imagined (cf. Eph 3:20).
And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
- And the child (
וַיִּגְדַּל הַנַּעַר, vayyigdal hanna'ar - "and the boy grew"): This shifts focus to Samuel, central to the future narrative. Na'ar can refer to a young boy or youth. The phrase underscores his consistent development from early childhood, under divine notice. - grew: This implies holistic development—not merely physical growth, but also mental, spiritual, and character formation. Such growth is often characteristic of divinely appointed figures in the Bible, like Jesus (Lk 2:40, 2:52) or John the Baptist.
- before the LORD: (
לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, lifnei Yahweh): A profoundly significant phrase. It refers to Samuel's physical presence and service within the Tabernacle, the house of God in Shiloh (1 Sam 2:11, 2:18). More deeply, it means that Samuel's life and development were under God's watchful eye, marked by divine favor and approval, in stark contrast to Eli's corrupt sons (1 Sam 2:22-25, 2:29-30). This divine oversight ensured his proper formation for future prophetic ministry.
- And the child (
1 Samuel 2 21 Bonus section
The account of Hannah's transition from barrenness to abundant fruitfulness is a potent theological statement against contemporary pagan fertility cults. It powerfully demonstrates that fertility and life itself are solely within the domain and control of Yahweh, not a result of propitiating lesser deities like Baal or Asherah. The emphasis on "the LORD" (YHWH) being the active agent counters any notion that human rituals or other gods grant fruitfulness. Furthermore, the detailed emphasis on Samuel's continual growth "before the LORD" provides a timeless archetype for spiritual development. It teaches that true spiritual formation is a process, occurring under God's watchful eye, requiring consistent dedication, and setting one apart for divine purpose. This growth is often in sharp contrast to the declining moral character of those who neglect God's ways, serving as a powerful lesson that God actively promotes those who are truly devoted to Him, fulfilling His plan through them.
1 Samuel 2 21 Commentary
1 Samuel 2:21 is a concise yet powerful declaration of divine faithfulness and providence, articulating two interwoven themes: God's direct and generous response to heartfelt prayer, and the purposeful, sustained preparation of His chosen servants. God's "visitation" of Hannah underscores His active, redemptive involvement in individual lives, transforming barrenness into abundant fruitfulness. This overabundance of children—five additional to Samuel—highlights God's boundless generosity, exceeding human requests. Simultaneously, Samuel's continuous growth "before the LORD" signifies not only his physical development but also his deepening spiritual formation under divine care. This sets him apart as a beacon of righteousness in a time of widespread moral and spiritual decline, especially when contrasted with Eli's corrupt sons, ultimately preparing Samuel for his significant prophetic and judicial ministry. It is a testament that God blesses those who faithfully seek and serve Him.