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1 Samuel 2:20

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 2:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, Jehovah give thee seed of this woman for the petition which was asked of Jehovah. And they went unto their own home.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, Jehovah give thee seed of this woman for the petition which was asked of Jehovah. And they went unto their own home.
1 Samuel 2:20 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17And the sin of the young men was very great before Jehovah; for the men despised the offering of Jehovah.
18But Samuel ministered before Jehovah, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
19Moreover his mother made him a little robe, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
20And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, Jehovah give thee seed of this woman for the petition which was asked of Jehovah. And they went unto their own home.
21And Jehovah visited Hannah, and she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before Jehovah.
22Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did unto all Israel, and how that they lay with the women that did service at the door of the tent of meeting.
23And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings from all this people.
← 1 Samuel 2:191 Samuel 2:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, etc.] Not only the first time they brought Samuel to him, and left him with him; but every year they came to worship, as the Jewish commentators mostly interpret it: and said, the Lord give thee seed of this woman; children by her, year after year: for the loan which is lent to the Lord; instead of Samuel, who was asked of the Lord and given to him again; and as they were thereby in some measure deprived of him, and could not always enjoy him, and be delighted with him, Eli prayed for them, and gave them his benediction as a priest, that they might be favoured with other children, who might be of delight and service to them when in old age: and they went…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife--This blessing, like that which he had formerly pronounced, had a prophetic virtue; which, before long, appeared in the increase of Hannah's family (Sa1 2:21), and the growing qualifications of Samuel for the service of the sanctuary.”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:20 Eli would bless: Blessing was one of the functions of a priest (Num 6:23-27; Deut 10:8; 1 Chr 23:13). See study note on 1 Sam 1:17-18.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“The natural place for this verse seems to be before the Sa1 2:11, after which the Sa1 2:21 should probably come in; and after the 21st, perhaps the Sa1 2:26 should follow. blessed: Gen 14:19, Gen 27:27-29; Num 6:23-27; Rut 2:12, Rut 4:11 loan: or, petition which she asked, etc. Sa1 1:27, Sa1 1:28 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 2:21”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 2 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification