1 Samuel 2:21

And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.

And {H3588} the LORD {H3068} visited {H6485} Hannah {H2584}, so that she conceived {H2029}, and bare {H3205} three {H7969} sons {H1121} and two {H8147} daughters {H1323}. And the child {H5288} Samuel {H8050} grew {H1431} before {H5973} the LORD {H3068}.

So ADONAI took notice of Hannah, and she conceived and bore three more sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Sh'mu'el grew in the presence of ADONAI.

So the LORD attended to Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.

And Jehovah visited Hannah, and she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before Jehovah.

Commentary

1 Samuel 2:21 is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness, generosity, and the fulfillment of His promises. It describes the abundant blessings poured out on Hannah, fulfilling her deepest desire and exceeding her expectations, while also noting the continued spiritual development of her dedicated son, Samuel.

Context

This verse is situated within the narrative of Hannah's family, following her fervent prayer for a son (1 Samuel 1:10), her vow to dedicate that son to the Lord, and her subsequent act of faith in bringing young Samuel to serve in the tabernacle under Eli (1 Samuel 1:28). It also comes after Hannah's profound prayer of thanksgiving and prophetic insight found in 1 Samuel 2:1-10, where she praises God for His justice and power. Despite giving Samuel away, God remembers her and showers her with even more blessings, affirming His covenant with those who honor Him.

Key Themes

  • God's Abundant Blessing and Faithfulness: The core message is God's active involvement and blessing. The phrase "the LORD visited Hannah" signifies divine favor and attention. Not only did she receive Samuel, but God blessed her with an additional five children (three sons and two daughters). This highlights God's boundless generosity, often exceeding our initial prayers and hopes, much like His blessing of other barren women in scripture (e.g., Sarah in Genesis 21:1).
  • Fulfillment of Promise: This verse serves as a clear fulfillment of God's response to Hannah's earnest prayer and her subsequent act of selfless dedication. It demonstrates that God hears and responds to the cries of His people, particularly when faith is exercised and vows are kept.
  • Samuel's Spiritual Growth: The concluding statement, "And the child Samuel grew before the LORD," emphasizes his ongoing spiritual development and maturation. This isn't just physical growth but a deepening relationship with God, preparing him for his significant future role as a prophet and judge in Israel, under divine guidance.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated as "visited" is paqad (ืคึผึธืงึทื“). While it can mean to inspect, appoint, or muster, in this context, it primarily conveys the sense of God remembering someone, attending to their needs, or showing favor and care. It implies God's benevolent intervention and active involvement in Hannah's life, leading to the fulfillment of her desire and more.

Practical Application

The lessons from 1 Samuel 2:21 resonate deeply for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Faithfulness: This verse encourages us to trust that God is faithful to His promises. Even in times of barrenness or difficulty, He hears our prayers and can act in ways that surpass our understanding.
  • God's Generosity: God often blesses us abundantly, going beyond what we ask or imagine. He is capable of doing "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20).
  • Nurturing Spiritual Development: Just as Samuel grew "before the LORD," we are called to prioritize spiritual growth in our lives and in the lives of those we influence. Cultivating a relationship with God and dedicating our lives to Him brings divine guidance and purpose.
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Cross-References

  • Genesis 21:1 (9 votes)

    ยถ And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.

  • Luke 2:40 (9 votes)

    And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

  • 1 Samuel 3:19 (8 votes)

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

  • 1 Samuel 2:26 (8 votes)

    And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.

  • Judges 13:24 (6 votes)

    ยถ And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.

  • Luke 1:80 (5 votes)

    And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

  • Luke 1:68 (4 votes)

    Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,