1 Samuel 3 19

1 Samuel 3:19 kjv

And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

1 Samuel 3:19 nkjv

So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.

1 Samuel 3:19 niv

The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel's words fall to the ground.

1 Samuel 3:19 esv

And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.

1 Samuel 3:19 nlt

As Samuel grew up, the LORD was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable.

1 Samuel 3 verses

1 Samuel 3 19 Meaning

This verse signifies Samuel's divinely guided development and established prophetic authority. It asserts that as Samuel grew, the LORD God was intimately present with him, ensuring that every word he spoke as God's messenger was affirmed and came to pass without fail. It highlights the divine validation and complete reliability of Samuel's pronouncements, marking him as a true prophet of God.

1 Samuel 3 19 Context

This verse appears directly after the momentous divine revelation to young Samuel in 1 Samuel chapter 3, where God directly calls him and reveals the impending judgment on Eli's house. Previously, the word of the LORD was "rare" (1 Sam 3:1), emphasizing a period of spiritual barrenness. Samuel, raised in the corrupt environment of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas (1 Sam 2:12-17), represents a stark contrast and God's chosen replacement for the degenerate priestly line. Verses 1 Samuel 2:11, 21, and 26 have already noted Samuel's physical and spiritual growth; 3:19 signifies the culmination of this development, establishing his full prophetic stature and divine endorsement. Historically, this period marks a transition in Israel from the era of the Judges, often characterized by moral and spiritual decline, to the rise of monarchy, with Samuel serving as the pivotal prophet bridging these eras. The phrase "let none of his words fall to the ground" is crucial, publicly affirming Samuel's authority to Israel and distinguishing him from false prophets or ineffective religious leaders.

1 Samuel 3 19 Word analysis

• And Samuel grew: (וּשְׁמוּאֵל, גָּדֵל - u'Shmu'el, gadel).
  • Samuel (שְׁמוּאֵל): From the Hebrew meaning "heard by God" or "name of God." His very name carries a profound connection to his destiny.
  • Grew (גָּדֵל - gadel): Qal active participle of `gadal` (גָּדַל), "to be great, grow, magnify." Implies continuous growth in all aspects—physical, mental, and spiritual stature. It's not a past singular event but an ongoing process, leading to his establishment as a mature prophet and leader. This continuous growth highlights divine Providence in his life.
• and the LORD was with him: (וַיהוָה הָיָה עִמּוֹ - v'YHWH hayah immo).
  • the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, active relationship with Samuel. It's not a generic deity but the specific God of Israel, faithful to His promises.
  • was with him (הָיָה עִמּוֹ - hayah immo): Signifies divine presence, favor, blessing, active guidance, empowerment, and protection. This phrase is a hallmark of truly blessed and commissioned biblical figures (e.g., Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David). It underscores that Samuel's authority derived directly from God's personal backing and active involvement in his life.
• and let none of his words fall to the ground: (וְלֹא הִפִּיל מִכָּל־דְּבָרָיו אָרְצָה - v'lo hippil mikol-devarav artzah).
  • let none... fall (וְלֹא הִפִּיל - v'lo hippil): From the Hiphil imperfect of `naphal` (נָפַל), "to fall." The Hiphil here means "to cause to fall" or, in a passive sense with a negative, "not let fall" or "allow to remain." It is God who did not let Samuel's words fall. This highlights divine sovereignty and validation.
  • his words (מִכָּל־דְּבָרָיו - mikol-devarav): Refers to Samuel's prophetic utterances, prophecies, judgments, and any declarations he made on behalf of the LORD. These are not merely human opinions but divinely inspired pronouncements.
  • to the ground (אָרְצָה - artzah): Idiomatic expression meaning to fail, be ineffective, or be proven false. If words "fall to the ground," they are unheeded, discredited, or unfulfilled. Therefore, the negation implies the absolute certainty, authority, and fulfillment of everything Samuel spoke.

• Words-group Analysis:
  • "Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him": This pairing signifies that Samuel's personal development was intrinsically linked to and empowered by God's continuous presence. His growth was not merely natural but divinely superintended, preparing him for his prophetic role. It echoes a theme found with other significant biblical figures, where their growth and favor with God go hand-in-hand with their future service.
  • "the LORD was with him, and let none of his words fall to the ground": This shows a cause-and-effect relationship. Because the LORD was with Samuel, his words were infused with divine authority and proven true. God actively ensured the fulfillment of what Samuel uttered, validating him as His legitimate mouthpiece. This contrasts sharply with the ineffectual words and condemned status of Eli's sons. The effectiveness of Samuel's words served as clear public testimony to his authenticity as God's chosen prophet during a period when direct divine communication was rare.

1 Samuel 3 19 Bonus section

The establishment of Samuel's prophetic credibility in this verse is paramount because the "word of the LORD was rare in those days" (1 Sam 3:1). Eli, as the presiding priest and judge, had largely failed in his prophetic and spiritual responsibilities. Therefore, God raised up Samuel to be the next major prophetic voice after Moses. The phrase "let none of his words fall to the ground" is an emphatic Hebrew idiom. It means more than just his words being 'true'; it means they had power and effect. His pronouncements brought about what they declared, whether blessings or judgments. This divine guarantee of fulfillment directly correlates with the test for a true prophet given in Deut 18:22, where the ultimate proof of a prophet's authenticity lies in whether his words "come to pass." Samuel thus passes this divine test with flying colors from the very beginning of his public ministry, making him an authoritative and respected figure throughout Israel for his generation and beyond. This validation laid the foundation for his future roles as judge, prophet, and the one chosen to anoint Israel's first kings.

1 Samuel 3 19 Commentary

1 Samuel 3:19 stands as a pivotal verse affirming Samuel's full commissioning and divine endorsement as a prophet in Israel. Following God's direct call and the difficult message delivered to Eli, this verse solidifies Samuel's authority. The statement "Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him" encapsulates both his personal maturation and the unwavering divine presence that consecrated his life. This divine companionship was not passive but actively ensured that "none of his words fall to the ground," meaning every prophecy, command, or pronouncement uttered by Samuel found its complete fulfillment. This established Samuel as a trustworthy conduit of God's word, distinguishing him from ineffective leaders or false prophets. It paved the way for Israel to acknowledge him "from Dan even to Beersheba" as a true prophet of the LORD (1 Sam 3:20), ushering in an era of restored divine communication and judicial leadership after a period of spiritual drought and moral decay under Eli's sons. It underscores that God Himself authenticates His messengers, confirming their veracity through the reliable unfolding of their words.Practical application:

• Just as God affirmed Samuel's words, His Word in the Bible remains unfailing and effective today (Isa 55:11).
• For believers, this verse affirms God's commitment to be "with" His people (Matt 28:20), empowering them for His purposes.
• It reminds us that true authority and spiritual effectiveness come from divine backing, not human ability or status.