1 Samuel 2 26

1 Samuel 2:26 kjv

And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with the LORD, and also with men.

1 Samuel 2:26 nkjv

And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the LORD and men.

1 Samuel 2:26 niv

And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with people.

1 Samuel 2:26 esv

Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man.

1 Samuel 2:26 nlt

Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew taller and grew in favor with the LORD and with the people.

1 Samuel 2 verses

1 Samuel 2 26 Meaning

The verse 1 Samuel 2:26 succinctly describes the progressive development of Samuel. It conveys that Samuel continuously matured, not only in his physical being but, more importantly, in his spiritual stature. This dual growth led him to enjoy divine approval, marked by the Lord's favor upon him, and also human acceptance, evidenced by the favor he found among people. This status highlights his increasing suitability and preparation for the significant role God intended for him.

1 Samuel 2 26 Context

1 Samuel chapter 2 details a stark contrast between two very different spiritual households. On one hand, we witness the unwavering devotion of Hannah, Samuel's mother, exemplified in her powerful prayer of thanksgiving and prophetic praise (vv. 1-10), and her continued annual offering (vv. 19). Central to this is Samuel, who ministers before the Lord from his early childhood (v. 18). On the other hand, the chapter sharply delineates the moral decay of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas. Their conduct is described as extremely wicked; they disrespected offerings due to God, exploited people, and committed sexual immorality (vv. 12-17, 22). This corrupt priestly lineage stands in stark opposition to the budding purity and righteous development of young Samuel. Therefore, verse 26 serves as a divine affirmation of Samuel's righteous path, a clear sign that God's favor was upon him amidst the spiritual decline of the era of judges, setting him apart as the future leader and prophet for Israel. Historically, this period marked a time of significant moral and spiritual deterioration in Israel, setting the stage for God to raise up a new, faithful servant.

1 Samuel 2 26 Word analysis

• And: (Hebrew: וְוַ - ve-). Connective conjunction, linking Samuel's growth directly to his continued ministry (v. 21) and the larger narrative, showing a natural progression of events.
• the child Samuel: (Hebrew: הַנַּעַר שְׁמוּאֵל - hanna'ar Shĕmu'el). Emphasizes his youth. "Na'ar" typically refers to a young boy, a youth, or a servant, highlighting his formative years while already serving God. His identity as "Samuel" signifies his divinely appointed purpose, as his name means "Heard by God" or "Name of God."
• grew on: (Hebrew: הָלֹךְ וְגָדֵל - halokh v'gadel). This is an intensive phrase, literally "going and growing," or "walking and growing." It signifies continuous, progressive, and increasing development. It implies not just physical growth but also maturity in understanding, wisdom, and character. It points to a constant state of flourishing and progress.
• and was in favour: (Hebrew: וָטוֹב גַּם - vatov gam from root tov meaning "good, pleasing" or related to ḥen for grace/favor). This signifies Samuel's increasing positive standing. "Tov" denotes goodness, excellence, or that which is pleasing. To be "in favour" implies an outward expression of acceptance and approval, indicating a pleasing disposition and character that attracted goodwill.
• both with the Lord, (Hebrew: עִם־יְהוָה - im YHWH). This is the paramount aspect of his favor. "The Lord" (YHWH, the covenant name of God) indicates divine approval, acceptance, and blessing. God's favor is not a passive observation but an active blessing, guidance, and validation of Samuel's life and ministry. It is the foundation for all other favor.
• and also with men: (Hebrew: וְגַם עִם־אֲנָשִׁים - v'gam im anashim). This refers to human favor, indicating that Samuel earned the respect, trust, and good opinion of the people around him. This horizontal dimension of favor complements the vertical favor with God, signifying a balanced and effective life for ministry and leadership. This human acceptance would be crucial for his later role as judge and prophet, providing him with credibility among the Israelites.

• "grew on, and was in favour": This phrase links physical and spiritual maturation with relational standing. It suggests that Samuel's development was not solely internal but also had external manifestations, resulting in positive reception from both God and people. It speaks of a holistic growth.
• "with the Lord, and also with men": This key phrase highlights the two essential spheres of favor. The order "with the Lord" first is significant, underscoring that divine favor is primary and foundational; it often precedes or enables human favor. True favor begins with God's approval and then extends to meaningful relationships with others. This duality indicates a well-rounded and blessed life, spiritually robust and socially effective.

1 Samuel 2 26 Bonus section

The concept of "favor with God and men" found in this verse establishes a pattern of divine preparation that resonates throughout the biblical narrative. It reflects a model of wholesome development—physical, intellectual, spiritual, and social. Samuel's life provides an early Old Testament parallel to the later New Testament description of Jesus's childhood development in Luke 2:52, which uses remarkably similar language. This parallelism suggests a consistent divine pattern for raising up significant figures destined for unique callings. For believers, Samuel's example underscores the importance of pursuing a life pleasing to God above all else, recognizing that divine favor is the source of all lasting influence and good reputation. This internal, spiritual state then often, though not always universally, extends to positive relationships and standing within the human community. The contrast with Eli's sons further accentuates the fact that proximity to spiritual privilege does not guarantee divine favor; rather, consistent obedience and faithfulness, even from a young age, earn God's blessings.

1 Samuel 2 26 Commentary

1 Samuel 2:26 presents Samuel as an emerging figure of integrity and divine blessing, providing a stark and necessary contrast to the spiritual decadence surrounding him. While Eli's sons brought contempt upon God's sanctuary and office, Samuel, though a child, consistently gained favor from both the Lord and the people. This ongoing, incremental growth, signified by "grew on," demonstrates God's hand shaping and preparing Samuel for his future monumental role as a prophet, judge, and king-maker. His dual favor – with God vertically and with people horizontally – points to a balanced and effective servant of God. It shows that true influence and divine endorsement spring from a right standing with God first, which then manifests in commendable character and respect among fellow humans. This verse serves as an indicator of Samuel's divine calling, foreshadowing the divine selection of a righteous leader in a period marked by unrighteousness.