1 Samuel 2:8

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set [them] among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth [are] the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.

He raiseth up {H6965} the poor {H1800} out of the dust {H6083}, and lifteth up {H7311} the beggar {H34} from the dunghill {H830}, to set {H3427} them among princes {H5081}, and to make them inherit {H5157} the throne {H3678} of glory {H3519}: for the pillars {H4690} of the earth {H776} are the LORD'S {H3068}, and he hath set {H7896} the world {H8398} upon them.

He raises the poor from the dust, lifts up the needy from the trash pile; he gives them a place with leaders and assigns them seats of honor. "For the earth's pillars belong to ADONAI; on them he has placed the world.

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, He lifteth up the needy from the dunghill, To make them sit with princes, And inherit the throne of glory: For the pillars of the earth are Jehovah’s, And he hath set the world upon them.

Commentary

1 Samuel 2:8 is a profound declaration from Hannah's prayer, revealing God's character as the ultimate sovereign who orchestrates the destinies of individuals and nations. This verse beautifully encapsulates themes of divine justice, reversal of fortunes, and God's foundational role as Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

Context

This verse is part of Hannah's song of praise and prophecy, offered after she dedicated her son Samuel to the Lord at Shiloh, fulfilling her vow. Having been barren for many years and mocked by Peninnah, Hannah's miraculous conception of Samuel was a testament to God's power and faithfulness. Her prayer (1 Samuel 2:1-10) is not just a personal thanksgiving but a prophetic insight into God's future dealings with Israel, contrasting the pride of the powerful with the humble whom God exalts. It sets a theological foundation for the entire book of 1 Samuel, foreshadowing the rise of David from obscurity and the fall of corrupt leaders.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Providence: The verse emphatically states that "the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them." This imagery highlights God's absolute control and ownership over all creation and human affairs. He is not merely an observer but the active orchestrator of destiny.
  • Reversal of Fortunes: A central message is God's ability to humble the proud and exalt the lowly. He "raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes." This theme resonates throughout Scripture, demonstrating God's preferential care for the marginalized and His opposition to human arrogance. Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1:52 later echoes this very sentiment.
  • Justice and Righteousness: God's actions are rooted in His perfect justice. He intervenes to correct imbalances, bringing down those who oppress and elevating those who are oppressed, making them "inherit the throne of glory." This speaks to a divine order where humility is rewarded and pride is brought low.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "out of the dust" and "from the dunghill" (Hebrew: 'ashpoth) vividly portrays the lowest possible social and economic standing. A "dunghill" was a place of refuse, waste, and extreme poverty, signifying utter despair and social exclusion. To be lifted from such a place to sit "among princes" signifies a complete, divinely orchestrated transformation of status.
  • "Pillars of the earth" (Hebrew: m'tsuqei 'erets) is a metaphorical expression for the foundational supports or structures of the world. It emphasizes that the very framework of existence is established by and belongs to the LORD, reinforcing His role as the ultimate Creator and Sustainer.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Samuel 2:8 offers profound encouragement and a powerful reminder:

  • Hope for the Humble: If you feel overlooked, marginalized, or are facing difficult circumstances, this verse assures you that God sees your plight. He has the power to elevate you and bring about a dramatic change in your situation, often in unexpected ways.
  • Humility for the Exalted: It serves as a stern warning against pride and self-reliance for those in positions of power or influence. All authority ultimately rests with God, and He can humble the proud just as easily as He exalts the lowly.
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: In a world that often feels chaotic and unjust, this verse provides comfort by reaffirming God's ultimate control. The "pillars of the earth" are His, meaning His purposes will prevail, and His justice will ultimately be seen. We can trust in His sovereign plan.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 113:7

    He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

  • Psalms 113:8

    That he may set [him] with princes, [even] with the princes of his people.

  • Daniel 2:48

    Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise [men] of Babylon.

  • James 2:5

    Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

  • Daniel 6:3

    Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit [was] in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

  • 1 Samuel 15:17

    And Samuel said, When thou [wast] little in thine own sight, [wast] thou not [made] the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?

  • Revelation 1:6

    And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
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