1 Samuel 2:6

KJV

The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} killeth {H4191}, and maketh alive {H2421}: he bringeth down {H3381} to the grave {H7585}, and bringeth up {H5927}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"ADONAI kills and makes alive; he brings down to the grave, and he brings up.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up.

American Standard Version

Jehovah killeth, and maketh alive: He bringeth down to Sheol, and bringeth up.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 2:6, a profound declaration within Hannah's song of thanksgiving and prophecy, articulates the absolute and unparalleled sovereignty of the LORD over all existence. It asserts God's ultimate control not only over the physical boundaries of life and death but also over the destinies and fortunes of individuals, demonstrating His unique power to humble the proud, exalt the lowly, and orchestrate all circumstances according to His divine will and perfect justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Hannah's magnificent prayer or song of thanksgiving and prophecy, recorded in [1 Samuel 2:1-10](/1_samuel/2-1-10 "1 Samuel 2:1-10 - Hannah's Prayer of Thanksgiving"). Uttered after she had fulfilled her vow to dedicate her miraculously born son, Samuel, to the LORD, the song transcends mere personal gratitude. It serves as a theological manifesto, contrasting human weakness and pride with divine omnipotence and justice. The immediate verses celebrate God's power to strengthen the weak and humble the mighty, setting the stage for the specific declaration of His dominion over life and death in verse 6. This hymn is strategically placed at the beginning of Samuel's story, foreshadowing the divine reversals and sovereign interventions that will characterize God's work through Samuel in establishing the monarchy and judging Israel, particularly in the downfall of the corrupt house of Eli and the rise of a righteous leader.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of [1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "The Book of 1 Samuel") is set during the tumultuous era of the Judges, a time marked by spiritual apostasy, moral decay, and political instability in Israel. The narrative begins with the poignant personal struggle of Hannah, whose barrenness was a source of great shame and sorrow in ancient Israelite society, where fertility was seen as a divine blessing and barrenness a potential curse or sign of divine displeasure. Her miraculous conception of Samuel, after fervent prayer and a vow, highlights God's intervention in the face of human impossibility and societal expectation. Against the backdrop of the corrupt priesthood under Eli and the general spiritual decline, Hannah's song stands as a powerful testament to God's enduring faithfulness and His active involvement in human affairs, even when His people stray. It underscores that true power and authority reside solely with the LORD, not with human institutions, military might, or personal strength.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of [Hannah's song](/1_samuel/2 "1 Samuel 2 - Hannah's Song of Thanksgiving") is the **absolute sovereignty of God**. This verse, in particular, emphasizes God's supreme authority over **life and death**, asserting that He is the ultimate arbiter of existence, capable of both giving and taking life. This extends beyond mere physical existence to encompass the **reversal of fortunes** and **divine justice**, as seen in [1 Samuel 2:7-8](/1_samuel/2-7-8 "1 Samuel 2:7-8 - God Makes Poor and Rich, Lifts Up the Needy"). God's power to "bring down to the grave" and "bring up" signifies His control over the rise and fall of individuals, families, and even nations, demonstrating that human strength, wealth, or status are fleeting and ultimately subject to His will. Furthermore, while not a direct prophecy of New Testament resurrection, the phrase "maketh alive" and "bringeth up" carries a powerful **implication of restoration and renewal** from states of despair, lowliness, or even the brink of death, foreshadowing God's ultimate victory over the grave.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **killeth (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** Derived from H4191, this primitive root means "to die" (literally or figuratively) and, causatively, "to kill." In 1 Samuel 2:6, it highlights God's active, sovereign role in bringing about death, emphasizing His ultimate agency over the cessation of life. It signifies His power to "put to death" and underscores His absolute authority over life's termination, not merely a passive allowance.
* **maketh alive (Hebrew, _châyâh'_):** From H2421, this primitive root means "to live" (whether literally or figuratively) and, causatively, "to revive." In this context, it signifies God's power to initiate, sustain, and restore life. This includes physical life, spiritual renewal, recovery from illness, or restoration from despair, demonstrating His ability to "give life," "quicken," and "restore (to life)."
* **grave (Hebrew, _shᵉʼôwl'_):** This term (H7585) refers to Hades or the world of the dead, described as if a subterranean retreat. It encompasses the "grave," "hell," or "pit" as the common abode of departed spirits. Its inclusion here underscores the totality of God's dominion, extending even beyond the visible world into the unseen realm of the departed, signifying His control over the ultimate destination of all humanity after death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD killeth, and maketh alive:"** This opening clause unequivocally declares God's supreme authority over the most fundamental aspects of human existence: life and death. It asserts that the power to begin and end life rests solely with Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This is a profound statement of divine sovereignty, indicating that no human power, wisdom, or strength can override His ultimate decree concerning life's duration. It sets the stage for understanding all other aspects of human destiny as being under His control.
* **"he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up."** This second clause expands upon the first, using a parallel structure to reinforce the same truth with a slightly different emphasis. "Bringeth down to the grave" (Sheol) reiterates His power over death and the ultimate destination of the body. "And bringeth up" implies not only resurrection from the dead (as ultimately fulfilled in Christ) but also restoration from states of extreme lowliness, despair, or spiritual death. It speaks to God's ability to reverse seemingly irreversible situations, to lift up those who are utterly cast down, and to restore hope where all seems lost.

#### Literary Devices
1 Samuel 2:6 masterfully employs **Antithetical Parallelism**, a common feature of Hebrew poetry, where two lines express contrasting ideas that illuminate a single truth. Here, "killeth" is contrasted with "maketh alive," and "bringeth down to the grave" is contrasted with "bringeth up." This pairing emphasizes the totality and completeness of God's power over the entire spectrum of life and death, from its beginning to its end, and even beyond into the realm of the departed. The verse also utilizes **Merism**, a figure of speech in which two contrasting parts of a whole are used to represent the whole (e.g., "day and night" for "always"). By stating God's power over "killing" and "making alive," and "bringing down" and "bringing up," the verse encompasses the entirety of His sovereign control over all aspects of human existence and destiny. This is a profound **Theological Statement**, asserting God's unique omnipotence and His role as the ultimate orchestrator of all things, challenging any human presumption of self-sufficiency or control.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hannah's declaration in 1 Samuel 2:6 resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative of God's absolute sovereignty and His unique power over life, death, and human destiny. It establishes a foundational theological truth that permeates both Old and New Testaments: God alone is the source of life, and He alone holds the keys to death and the afterlife. This truth provides both comfort and a call to humility, reminding humanity that all strength, status, and even existence itself are ultimately derived from and dependent upon the Creator. It underscores the biblical theme of divine justice, where God actively intervenes to humble the proud and exalt the lowly, ensuring that His righteous purposes prevail in the grand tapestry of salvation history.

* [Deuteronomy 32:39](/deuteronomy/32-39 "Deuteronomy 32:39 - God's Sole Power Over Life and Death")
* [Psalm 75:7](/psalms/75-7 "Psalm 75:7 - God Judges and Exalts")
* [Job 1:21](/job/1-21 "Job 1:21 - The Lord Gives and Takes Away")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 1 Samuel 2:6 offers profound comfort and a challenging call to absolute trust in God's sovereign plan. In a world often characterized by uncertainty, loss, and despair, this verse reminds us that our lives are not subject to random chance or ultimate human control, but are held firmly in the hands of an omnipotent and just God. When faced with the pain of loss, the fear of sickness, or the depths of personal failure, we can find solace in His power to "make alive" and "bring up," knowing that He is capable of restoring hope, healing, and even life itself from the brink of destruction. Conversely, for those who experience success, strength, or prominence, it serves as a powerful reminder of humility. Any position of influence or blessing is ultimately by His grace, preventing pride and fostering a deep sense of dependence. This verse encourages us to relinquish our anxieties and ambitions into His capable hands, trusting that His ways are always righteous and His power is limitless, offering a deep sense of security and a proper perspective on our place in His grand design.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's absolute sovereignty over life and death impact your perspective on personal trials and losses?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own strength or control, rather than trusting in God's power to "bring up" and "make alive"?**
* **How can the truth of God's power to humble and exalt shape your attitude towards success and failure in your own life and in the lives of others?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live with a deeper sense of humility and absolute trust in God's sovereign plan, even when circumstances seem dire?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse imply that God directly causes every death and resurrection, or does it speak more broadly about His ultimate authority?**

Answer: While the verse asserts God's ultimate and absolute authority over life and death, it speaks more broadly about His sovereignty rather than implying direct, immediate causation for every single instance. "The LORD killeth, and maketh alive" is a declaration of His supreme prerogative and power, meaning that nothing happens outside of His ultimate will or permission. It encompasses His creative power to give life, His sustaining power to maintain it, and His sovereign right to bring it to an end. This does not negate natural processes, human responsibility, or the existence of evil, but rather places all these within the framework of God's overarching control. For example, while God is sovereign over all, He also allows for human choices that lead to consequences, as seen throughout the narratives of [Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges") and [Kings](/1_kings/1 "The Book of 1 Kings"). The emphasis is on His unique position as the ultimate arbiter, distinct from any human or created power.

**How does the Old Testament concept of "grave" (Sheol) in this verse relate to the New Testament understanding of resurrection and eternal life?**

Answer: The term "grave" in 1 Samuel 2:6 is the Hebrew word _shᵉʼôwl_, which in the Old Testament generally refers to the common abode of the dead, a shadowy realm where all departed souls go, regardless of their righteousness. It signifies the end of earthly life and the descent into the unseen world. While the Old Testament does contain hints of a future resurrection (e.g., [Job 19:26](/job/19-26 "Job 19:26 - Job's Hope of Resurrection"), [Daniel 12:2](/daniel/12-2 "Daniel 12:2 - Resurrection of Many")), the full revelation of resurrection and eternal life comes in the New Testament through Jesus Christ. Hannah's phrase "bringeth up" in 1 Samuel 2:6, while possibly referring to restoration from severe illness or despair, also carries a profound prophetic echo of God's ultimate power to literally raise the dead. This power finds its ultimate and definitive fulfillment in the bodily resurrection of Jesus, which transforms the concept of "bringing up from the grave" into a promise of new, eternal life for all who believe, as described in [John 5:28-29](/john/5-28-29 "John 5:28-29 - Jesus' Authority to Raise the Dead").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hannah's profound declaration in 1 Samuel 2:6, asserting God's absolute power to "kill, and make alive," to "bring down to the grave, and bring up," finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of this divine sovereignty over life and death. The New Testament reveals Jesus as the [resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"), possessing the inherent authority to grant life and to raise the dead. His own death on the cross and subsequent bodily resurrection definitively demonstrate God's power to "make alive" and "bring up" in the most literal and redemptive sense, conquering the power of the grave and sin once and for all. Jesus Himself declared, "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the [keys of hell and of death](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")" ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ offers not just physical restoration but eternal life to all who believe, transforming the shadowy realm of _shᵉʼôwl_ into a place of temporary rest for believers, awaiting the final resurrection. Thus, Hannah's ancient hymn prophetically points to the Lord Jesus, who alone holds the power to give true, eternal life and to overcome the dominion of death.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 32:39

¶ See now that I, [even] I, [am] he, and [there is] no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither [is there any] that can deliver out of my hand.

Isaiah 26:19

Thy dead [men] shall live, [together with] my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew [is as] the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

2 Kings 5:7

And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, [Am] I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.

Jonah 2:2

And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, [and] thou heardest my voice.

Jonah 2:6

I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars [was] about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.

Revelation 1:18

[I am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Job 5:18

For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.