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.

KJV (with Strong's)

He will keep {H8104} the feet {H7272} of his saints {H2623}, and the wicked {H7563} shall be silent {H1826} in darkness {H2822}; for by strength {H3581} shall no man {H376} prevail {H1396}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He will guard the steps of his faithful, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. For it is not by strength that a person prevails -

Berean Standard Bible

He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail.

American Standard Version

He will keep the feet of his holy ones; But the wicked shall be put to silence in darkness; For by strength shall no man prevail.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 2:9, a pivotal declaration within Hannah's prophetic prayer, powerfully articulates God's sovereign character and His just governance over humanity. It proclaims God's unwavering commitment to preserve and guide His devoted followers, while simultaneously foretelling the ultimate downfall and silencing of the wicked. The verse culminates in the profound theological truth that human strength, self-reliance, or worldly might are ultimately futile against the divine will, asserting that true victory and enduring power reside solely with God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Hannah's magnificent prayer of thanksgiving and prophecy, recorded in [1 Samuel 2:1-10](/1_samuel/2-1 "1 Samuel 2:1-10 - Hannah's Prayer"). Offered after she joyfully fulfills her vow by dedicating her son Samuel to the Lord, her song transcends personal elation to become a theological prologue for the entire book of 1 Samuel. It immediately follows the narrative of her barrenness, fervent prayer, and God's miraculous provision of Samuel, setting a foundational theme of divine reversal—God lifting the humble and bringing down the proud. This prayer serves as a prophetic blueprint, foreshadowing the rise of figures like David, who exemplify reliance on God, and the fall of those who trust in their own strength, such as Eli's corrupt sons and King Saul.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hannah's prayer emerges from a period of significant spiritual and political transition in Israel, bridging the era of the Judges and the dawn of the monarchy. The time was marked by moral decay, particularly within the priesthood under Eli's sons, and a general spiritual decline among the people. In a world where military might, social status, and personal strength were highly valued and often seen as indicators of divine favor, Hannah's declaration that "by strength shall no man prevail" was a radical counter-cultural statement. It challenged the prevailing human-centric views of power and success, asserting God's ultimate sovereignty over all human endeavors and institutions, including the emerging concept of kingship.
* **Key Themes:** 1 Samuel 2:9 encapsulates several profound theological themes central to Hannah's prayer and the broader narrative of 1 Samuel. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, emphasizing God's absolute control over human destiny, His ability to humble the proud and exalt the lowly, and His unwavering commitment to justice. This verse also highlights the **Reversal of Fortunes**, a recurring motif throughout the book, where the weak are made strong and the strong are brought low, as seen in [1 Samuel 2:7-8](/1_samuel/2-7 "1 Samuel 2:7-8 - God Exalts and Humbles"). Crucially, it underscores the **Futility of Human Strength and Pride**, asserting that true power and victory do not come from human might, military prowess, or self-reliance, but solely from divine enablement and intervention. This theme is vividly illustrated in the contrast between Saul's reliance on his own strength and David's dependence on God, echoing the sentiment found in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - Man Looks at the Outward Appearance, God Looks at the Heart").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Saints (Hebrew, _ḥăsîḏāw'_):** This term, derived from the root `ḥsd` (hesed), refers to "His godly ones," "His pious ones," or "those devoted to Him." It denotes individuals who exhibit steadfast love, loyalty, and faithfulness towards God, reflecting His own covenant faithfulness. These are not merely morally upright people, but those who are in a covenant relationship with God, characterized by devotion and trust.
* **Silent (Hebrew, _yiḏmû'_):** From the verb `dmm`, meaning "to be silent," "to be still," "to be cut off," or "to perish." In this context, it conveys a sense of being utterly subdued, rendered powerless, brought to a standstill, or even annihilated. It implies a complete cessation of influence, voice, and activity, signifying a state of judgment and ultimate defeat.
* **Darkness (Hebrew, _ḥōšeḵ'_):** This word is rich in symbolic meaning throughout Scripture. Here, it represents not merely the absence of light but a state of confusion, despair, judgment, and the absence of God's favor or presence. For the wicked, being "silent in darkness" signifies their undoing, their being cast into a realm of hopelessness and divine abandonment.
* **Prevail (Hebrew, _yigbār'_):** From the verb `gbr`, meaning "to be strong," "to be mighty," or "to prevail." In this context, it specifically refers to the ability to achieve victory, success, or dominance through one's own inherent power, strength, or resources. Hannah's declaration negates this human capacity when set against God's omnipotence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He will keep the feet of his saints":** This clause speaks to God's active and faithful preservation of those who are devoted to Him. "Feet" symbolize one's walk, path, or life's journey, implying stability, security, and progress. God ensures that His "saints" do not stumble or fall into ruin. This is a promise of divine guidance, protection, and upholding, ensuring their secure passage even amidst adversity and opposition.
* **"and the wicked shall be silent in darkness":** In stark contrast to the preservation of the righteous, this clause describes the ultimate fate of the wicked. They will be "silent," meaning their boasting, their schemes, and their influence will be brought to an abrupt and permanent end. They will be cast into "darkness," symbolizing their judgment, despair, and separation from God's light and favor, signifying their complete undoing and oblivion.
* **"for by strength shall no man prevail":** This concluding declaration serves as the theological bedrock for the preceding statements. It asserts a fundamental truth about God's sovereignty: human power, military might, self-reliance, worldly influence, or any form of inherent human capability are ultimately ineffective and insufficient when pitted against God's purposes. True victory, enduring success, and ultimate triumph are not achieved through human prowess but through divine enablement and intervention alone.

#### Literary Devices
1 Samuel 2:9 masterfully employs **Antithetical Parallelism**, a common feature of Hebrew poetry, by juxtaposing the contrasting fates of the righteous and the wicked. The divine action of "keeping the feet of his saints" is set in direct opposition to the wicked being "silent in darkness," highlighting God's justice in both preservation and judgment. The verse also utilizes powerful **Symbolism**: "feet" represent one's life course, stability, and progress, while "darkness" symbolizes judgment, chaos, and the absence of God's presence and favor. The phrase "silent in darkness" functions as a **Metaphor** for complete defeat and annihilation, where the wicked are stripped of their voice, influence, and very existence in the light of God's presence. The final clause, "for by strength shall no man prevail," serves as a **Proverbial Statement**, encapsulating a timeless theological truth that undergirds the entire message of Hannah's prayer and the subsequent narrative of 1 Samuel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 2:9 is a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty, His unwavering justice, and His active involvement in the affairs of humanity. It establishes a core theological principle: God is the one who orchestrates reversals of fortune, exalting the humble and bringing low the proud. This verse underscores that true power and lasting victory do not originate from human might or self-reliance, but from humble dependence on the Almighty. It reveals a God who is both a faithful preserver of His covenant people and a just judge of those who oppose His will. This divine character, so clearly articulated by Hannah, becomes the interpretive lens through which the entire narrative of 1 Samuel, with its cycles of human failure and divine intervention, is to be understood.

* [Psalm 37:23-24](/psalms/37-23 "Psalm 37:23-24 - The Lord Upholds the Righteous")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might Nor by Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 2:9 offers both profound encouragement and a sobering warning, inviting us to re-evaluate the source of our confidence and strength. For those who seek to live in devotion to God, it is a comforting assurance that He is intimately involved in their lives, actively guiding their steps, providing stability, and protecting them from ultimate spiritual ruin. This promise calls us to cultivate a deep and abiding trust in God's sovereign power, rather than relying on our own abilities, resources, or worldly connections. It encourages humility, reminding us that our perceived strengths are fleeting and insufficient without divine enablement. Conversely, for those who boast in their own might, exploit others, or live in defiance of God, this verse serves as a powerful warning: their perceived power is temporary, their influence will be silenced, and their ultimate end is darkness in the face of divine justice. It challenges us to align our lives with God's purposes, recognizing that true success and flourishing come from His hand alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own strength or resources rather than placing your full trust in God's power and provision?**
* **How does the promise of God "keeping the feet of his saints" encourage you when facing uncertainty, opposition, or personal weakness?**
* **Considering the futility of human strength, what practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper humility and reliance on God in your daily walk?**

### FAQ

**What does "keep the feet of his saints" mean practically for believers today?**

Answer: For believers today, "He will keep the feet of his saints" means that God provides unwavering stability, divine guidance, and active protection for those who are devoted to Him. Practically, this implies that God ensures their spiritual walk is secure, preventing them from stumbling into ultimate ruin or being completely overthrown by the challenges and temptations of life. It doesn't promise an absence of hardship or struggle, but rather God's steadfast upholding and preservation through them. It means He will guide their steps, provide the necessary strength to persevere, and ultimately ensure their secure path towards His eternal purposes, even when the world seems to be against them. This promise fosters confidence that our ultimate destiny is safe in His hands.

**How does this verse, part of Hannah's prayer, relate to the broader narrative and themes of 1 Samuel?**

Answer: This verse, embedded within Hannah's prophetic prayer, serves as a foundational theological statement that foreshadows and illuminates the entire narrative arc of 1 Samuel. It introduces the central theme of divine reversal, where God exalts the humble and brings down the proud. This principle is vividly illustrated throughout the book: the humble, barren Hannah is blessed with Samuel, who becomes a great prophet; the corrupt sons of Eli, who relied on their priestly status, are brought to ruin; and most significantly, King Saul, who trusted in his own strength and appearance, is ultimately rejected by God, while David, a humble shepherd boy who depended entirely on God, is chosen and established as king. Thus, [Hannah's prayer](/1_samuel/2 "1 Samuel 2 - Hannah's Prayer") acts as a prophetic lens, revealing that true power and kingship come not from human might or worldly attributes, but from God's sovereign choice and anointing, a truth profoundly underscored by the contrast between [Saul's reign and David's anointing](/1_samuel/16 "1 Samuel 16 - David Anointing of David").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 2:9 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "Saint," the Holy One of God, whose "feet" were indeed kept by the Father, not by preventing His suffering or death, but by ensuring His ultimate triumph over them. Though He was crucified in weakness, He was raised in power, demonstrating that His victory was "not by strength" of human might but by divine power, conquering sin and death (as seen in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Jesus' life perfectly embodied the principle that "by strength shall no man prevail," as He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death on a cross, yet it was precisely through this humility and self-sacrifice that God "highly exalted Him" (as described in [Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). His resurrection is the ultimate proof that the "feet" of God's chosen one were kept, preventing Him from being held by the power of the grave ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up")). Furthermore, the promise that "the wicked shall be silent in darkness" finds its definitive fulfillment in Christ's final judgment, where all who oppose Him will be utterly subdued and cast into eternal darkness, while His saints, those who trust in His prevailing power, will be eternally preserved and shine with Him ([Matthew 25:30](/matthew/25-30 "Matthew 25:30 - Cast Out the Worthless Servant") and [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World")).

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

Psalms 121:3

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Psalms 33:16

There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

Psalms 33:17

An horse [is] a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver [any] by his great strength.

Psalms 91:11

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

Psalms 91:12

They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

1 Peter 1:5

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Job 5:24

And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle [shall be] in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.