1 Samuel 2 9

1 Samuel 2:9 kjv

He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

1 Samuel 2:9 nkjv

He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. "For by strength no man shall prevail.

1 Samuel 2:9 niv

He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness. "It is not by strength that one prevails;

1 Samuel 2:9 esv

"He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.

1 Samuel 2:9 nlt

"He will protect his faithful ones,
but the wicked will disappear in darkness.
No one will succeed by strength alone.

1 Samuel 2 verses

1 Samuel 2 9 Meaning

1 Samuel 2:9 states a fundamental principle of divine justice: God safeguards the steps of His devoted followers, but the rebellious will be silenced in obscurity. It emphatically declares that ultimate success and strength do not derive from human might but from divine power. This verse encapsulates a profound theological truth about God's governance, His care for the righteous, and His judgment upon the wicked, challenging human assumptions about strength and security.

1 Samuel 2 9 Context

1 Samuel chapter 2 is a magnificent prophetic hymn, known as Hannah's Prayer. While it immediately follows her joy at Samuel's birth and dedication, its scope far transcends her personal situation. The prayer is a profound theological declaration that anticipates key themes of the entire Old Testament and even points toward the New. Verses 1-10 are a divine oracle concerning God's justice and sovereignty, predicting a reversal of fortunes: the proud will be humbled, the weak will be exalted, and the barren will bear children, while the fruitful will languish. It prefigures the downfall of the priestly house of Eli (due to their corruption, soon to be detailed) and the rise of a righteous king, culminating in the first mention of God's "anointed one" or "Messiah" (v. 10). Verse 9, specifically, is a climactic statement of God's control over human destiny, establishing the moral and spiritual basis for all subsequent events, including the transition from judges to kingship, the reigns of Saul and David, and the ongoing struggle between righteousness and wickedness in Israel. It functions as a polemic against reliance on human power, prestige, or position, in direct contrast to the corrupted house of Eli who are about to experience divine judgment.

1 Samuel 2 9 Word analysis

• He will guard: The Hebrew verb shamar (שָׁמַר), meaning "to keep, watch, preserve, guard, protect." This implies diligent and active safeguarding. It highlights God's constant, vigilant care for His chosen ones, ensuring their stability and progress. It is not passive preservation but active divine intervention.
• the feet: Hebrew raglayim (רַגְלַיִם). In this context, "feet" represents a person's path, journey, conduct, stability, and ability to move forward. Guarding their feet means protecting their walk of life, preventing them from stumbling or being overthrown, and ensuring their journey aligns with God's will. It speaks to divine enablement and preservation of their progress.
• of His faithful ones: The Hebrew ḥasîdâv (חֲסִידָיו) from ḥāsîd, refers to those who are "loyal, pious, devoted, saints, godly ones." It describes individuals who demonstrate covenant faithfulness, characterized by love and obedience towards God. This is not about human perfection but a heartfelt alignment with God's ways. God's protection is specifically extended to those who are loyal to Him.
• but the wicked: Hebrew rašaʿim (רְשָׁעִים), referring to those who are "wicked, guilty, lawless, unrighteous." This term denotes those who disregard God's commands and live in opposition to His will, often characterized by arrogance and oppression. They are the antithesis of the "faithful ones."
• shall be silent: The Hebrew verb yiddemû (יִדְּמוּ) from dāmâ (דָּמָה) means "to be silent, cease, perish, be cut off, brought to ruin." It signifies not merely a lack of noise but a cessation of activity, influence, or even life itself—a state of utter powerlessness and destruction. This contrasts sharply with the stability granted to the faithful.
• in darkness: The Hebrew bāḥōšek (בַּחֹשֶׁךְ) from ḥōšek (חֹשֶׁךְ), refers to literal darkness, but more profoundly, metaphorical darkness. It symbolizes ignorance, moral degradation, despair, distress, judgment, and ultimately, the sphere of death and spiritual alienation from God. The wicked are silenced and cease their influence within this realm of divine judgment and destruction.
• for not by might: The Hebrew lō ḇəkōaḥ (לֹא בְכֹחַ) where kōaḥ (כֹּחַ) means "strength, power, ability, might, inherent physical or military force." This is a crucial theological statement denying the efficacy of human self-reliance or natural capabilities as the source of true victory or ultimate success.
• shall a man prevail: The Hebrew yiḡbār ʾîš (יִגְבַּר אִישׁ) from gābar (גָּבַר), meaning "to be strong, mighty, prevail, be superior, overcome." ʾîš (אִישׁ) simply means "a man, a person." This phrase unequivocally declares that no human being, relying solely on their own strength, can genuinely or ultimately triumph in life or achieve lasting dominion. It shifts the locus of true power from humanity to divinity.

Words-group Analysis:

• "He will guard the feet of His faithful ones": This phrase assures divine security and guidance for those in covenant loyalty. "Feet" symbolizes the life journey, and guarding them means preventing stumbling, ensuring steadfastness, and preserving their path even amidst adversity. It speaks of God's unwavering commitment to His elect.
• "but the wicked shall be silent in darkness": This presents a stark, ominous contrast. "Silent" indicates the complete cessation of their proud boasts and wicked machinations, while "darkness" symbolizes their ultimate destruction, judgment, and alienation from God's light and favor. It signifies their irrelevance and ultimate defeat.
• "for not by might shall a man prevail": This is the theological bedrock of the entire statement, encapsulating a profound biblical truth repeated throughout scripture. It’s an explicit refutation of human self-sufficiency and strength, redirecting focus to God's absolute sovereignty as the sole source of true power and success. This serves as a polemic against pagan beliefs in human-achieved destiny or reliance on military strength.

1 Samuel 2 9 Bonus section

Hannah's prayer is recognized by scholars as a "prophetic psalm," going far beyond her immediate context to articulate fundamental truths of the Messianic Kingdom. The very mention of God's "anointed one" (mashiaḥ - Messiah) in verse 10 sets the stage for the entire history of Israel, foreshadowing kingship and ultimately the coming of Christ. The theme of reversing fortunes (the strong becoming weak, the weak becoming strong; the hungry filled, the full starved) is a core aspect of God's kingdom agenda, vividly echoed in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:3-12) and His teachings on humility. 1 Samuel 2:9 acts as a microcosm of this grand narrative, emphasizing that divine intervention, not human capability, determines destiny and establishes God's righteous rule. This verse can be seen as a direct refutation of any form of human-centered theology or any worldview that glorifies self-made success without acknowledging divine sovereignty.

1 Samuel 2 9 Commentary

1 Samuel 2:9, found within Hannah's Spirit-inspired prayer, encapsulates a core biblical theology: God's sovereign control over human destiny and His radical reversal of societal norms. It articulates divine justice in a powerful contrast. First, God's active, vigilant "guarding" (Hebrew shamar) of "the feet of His faithful ones" signifies His meticulous preservation of their walk, direction, and stability. "Faithful ones" (ḥasîdâv) are not defined by sinless perfection but by covenant loyalty and genuine devotion. This is a promise of divine providence and sustaining grace even amid trials.

Conversely, "the wicked shall be silent in darkness." "Silent" (dāmâ) suggests their boastful defiance and disruptive actions will cease; they will be rendered powerless and brought to ruin. "Darkness" (ḥōšek) denotes not merely an absence of light, but a state of judgment, despair, and spiritual oblivion, distinct from God's presence and blessing. This judgment highlights the ultimate futility of ungodliness.

The culminating declaration, "for not by might shall a man prevail," is the hermeneutical key to understanding the entire passage. It decisively rejects the notion that human strength, intellect, wealth, or power can achieve lasting success or ultimate victory. This directly challenges the worldview of Eli's wicked sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who relied on their priestly office and personal appetites rather than God. It foreshadows the divine preference for a humble shepherd king (David) over a physically impressive but disobedient king (Saul). This foundational truth insists that all true triumph and lasting well-being flow solely from God's hand, asserting His absolute supremacy over all human endeavors and challenging any self-glorifying humanism. The practical application is clear: trust not in chariots or horses, but in the Lord (Psa 20:7).