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1 Samuel 2:4

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 2:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The bows of the mighty men are broken; And they that stumbled are girded with strength.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The bows of the mighty men are broken; And they that stumbled are girded with strength.
1 Samuel 2:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And Hannah prayed, and said: My heart exulteth in Jehovah; My horn is exalted in Jehovah; My mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; Because I rejoice in thy salvation.
2There is none holy as Jehovah; For there is none besides thee, Neither is there any rock like our God.
3Talk no more so exceeding proudly; Let not arrogancy come out of your mouth; For Jehovah is a God of knowledge, And by him actions are weighed.
4The bows of the mighty men are broken; And they that stumbled are girded with strength.
5They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; And they that were hungry have ceased [to hunger]: Yea, the barren hath borne seven; And she that hath many children languisheth.
6Jehovah killeth, and maketh alive: He bringeth down to Sheol, and bringeth up.
7Jehovah maketh poor, and maketh rich: He bringeth low, he also lifteth up.
← 1 Samuel 2:31 Samuel 2:5 →
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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
“The bows of the mighty men are broken, etc.] Hannah, from relating gracious experiences, and celebrating, the divine perfections of holiness, omniscience, and sovereignty, passes on to take notice of the dealings of God with men in providence and grace; bows are here put for all military arms, which men of might and war make use of, and which God can easily break in pieces, and so make war to cease in the earth, and hinder warlike men from doing what they design and attempt; they are enfeebled and weakened by him, and their hands cannot perform their enterprises: so the bows of Satan, and his principalities and powers, are broken, and his fiery darts are quenched, and the people of the Lord…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Bows - The strength of which they boasted. Stumbled - Or, were weak, or feeble, in body and spirit. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 2:5”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:4-8 Hannah celebrated God’s sovereign ability to radically reverse human circumstances.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“The bows: Psa 37:15, Psa 37:17, Psa 46:9, Psa 76:3 stumbled: Isa 10:4; Jer 37:10; Co2 4:9, Co2 4:10, Co2 12:9; Eph 6:14; Phi 4:13; Heb 11:34 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 2:5”
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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