1 Samuel 2:4
The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble are equipped with strength.
The bows of the mighty
This phrase evokes the imagery of warriors and strength, as bows were essential weapons in ancient warfare. The Hebrew word for "bows" is "קֶשֶׁת" (qeshet), symbolizing power and military might. Historically, bows were a primary tool for defense and conquest, representing the strength of a nation's army. In the context of Hannah's prayer, this phrase signifies the reversal of fortunes, where those who rely on their own strength and power find their might shattered. It serves as a reminder that human strength is ultimately fragile and subject to God's sovereign will.

are broken
The Hebrew word "חָתַת" (chatat) means to be shattered or dismayed. This conveys a complete and utter destruction of what was once strong and formidable. In the biblical narrative, this breaking of the bows symbolizes God's intervention in human affairs, where He humbles the proud and powerful. It reflects the biblical theme that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). The breaking of the bows is a divine act, demonstrating that true strength and victory come from God alone.

but the feeble
The term "feeble" translates from the Hebrew "כָּשַׁל" (kashal), meaning to stumble or be weak. This word describes those who are physically or metaphorically weak, lacking power or influence. In the ancient world, the feeble were often marginalized and overlooked. However, in God's economy, the feeble are not forgotten. This phrase highlights the biblical principle that God often chooses the weak and lowly to accomplish His purposes, as seen throughout Scripture (1 Corinthians 1:27).

are equipped with strength
The Hebrew word for "equipped" is "אָזַר" (azar), meaning to gird or arm oneself. This implies being prepared and strengthened for a task or battle. The transformation from feebleness to strength is a divine empowerment, illustrating God's ability to equip and enable those who trust in Him. The word "strength" is "כֹּחַ" (koach), denoting not just physical power but also inner fortitude and resilience. This phrase encapsulates the hope and assurance that God provides strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak (Isaiah 40:29). It is a testament to God's grace and the transformative power of His presence in the lives of believers.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hannah
The mother of Samuel, who offers this prayer of praise after God answers her prayer for a child. Her song reflects themes of divine reversal and God's sovereignty.

2. The Mighty
Represents those who are strong and powerful in worldly terms, often relying on their own strength and resources.

3. The Feeble
Symbolizes those who are weak or humble, often overlooked by society but favored by God.

4. Shiloh
The place where Hannah prayed and dedicated Samuel to the Lord, and where this song of praise was likely offered.

5. The Lord
Central to the account, God is depicted as the one who reverses human fortunes, breaking the bows of the mighty and strengthening the feeble.
Teaching Points
Divine Reversal
God's ways often defy human expectations. He can bring down the powerful and elevate the humble. This should encourage us to trust in His justice and timing.

Reliance on God
True strength comes from God, not from our own abilities or resources. We should seek His strength in our weaknesses.

Humility and Faith
God honors humility and faith. Like Hannah, we should approach God with a humble heart, trusting in His provision and timing.

God's Sovereignty
This verse reminds us of God's ultimate control over all circumstances. We can find peace in knowing that He is sovereign over our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the theme of divine reversal in 1 Samuel 2:4 challenge our understanding of power and success in today's world?

2. In what ways can we identify with the "feeble" in this verse, and how can we seek God's strength in our own lives?

3. How does Hannah's experience and prayer encourage us to trust in God's timing and provision?

4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate humility and reliance on God in our daily lives?

5. How do the themes in 1 Samuel 2:4 connect with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, particularly in the Beatitudes?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 37
This Psalm echoes the theme of divine reversal, where the wicked will be cut off, and the humble will inherit the land.

Luke 1:46-55
Mary's Magnificat shares similar themes with Hannah's song, celebrating God's favor towards the humble and His power to overturn human expectations.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Paul speaks of God's power being made perfect in weakness, aligning with the idea that God equips the feeble with strength.
Hannah's SongA. F. Kirkpatrick, D. D.1 Samuel 2:1-10
Hannah's Song of ThanksgivingW. G. Blaikie.1 Samuel 2:1-10
Rejoicing in the LordB. Dale 1 Samuel 2:1-10
Spiritual GladnessManton, Thomas1 Samuel 2:1-10
The Prayer Song of HannahD. Fraser 1 Samuel 2:1-10
Actions Revealed in Their True LightW. L. Watkinson.1 Samuel 2:3-4
Actions Weighed by GodJ. Vaughan.1 Samuel 2:3-4
Divine Knowledge of Human ActionW. Clarkson, B. A.1 Samuel 2:3-4
The Different Forms of PrideDean Goulburn.1 Samuel 2:3-4
The Even BalanceJ. Elliot.1 Samuel 2:3-4
The King's WeighingsSpurgeon, Charles Haddon1 Samuel 2:3-4
The Knowledge of GodJ. Tillotson, D. D.1 Samuel 2:3-4
The True Valuation of Men's ActionsW. L. Watkinson.1 Samuel 2:3-4
People
Eli, Elkanah, Hannah, Hophni, Israelites, Pharaoh, Phinehas, Samuel
Places
Egypt, Ramah, Shiloh
Topics
Armed, Bow, Bows, Broken, Clothed, Feeble, Gird, Girded, Mighty, Shattered, Strength, Stumbled, Stumbling, War, Warriors
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Samuel 2:4

     5186   stumbling
     5236   bow and arrow

1 Samuel 2:1-10

     5849   exaltation
     8352   thankfulness

Library
The Child Prophet
'And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision. 2. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; 8. And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; 4. That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. 5. And he ran onto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Reverence in Worship.
"Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod."--1 Samuel ii. 18. Samuel, viewed in his place in sacred history, that is, in the course of events which connect Moses with Christ, appears as a great ruler and teacher of his people; this is his prominent character. He was the first of the prophets; yet, when we read the sacred narrative itself, in which his life is set before us, I suppose those passages are the more striking and impressive which represent him, in
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

The Knowledge of God
'The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.' I Sam 2:2. Glorious things are spoken of God; he transcends our thoughts, and the praises of angels. God's glory lies chiefly in his attributes, which are the several beams by which the divine nature shines forth. Among other of his orient excellencies, this is not the least, The Lord is a God of knowledge; or as the Hebrew word is, A God of knowledges.' Through the bright mirror of his own essence, he has a full idea and cognisance
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Though the Fore-Mentioned Eternal Moral Obligations
are incumbent indeed on all rational creatures, antecedent to any respect of particular reward or punishment, yet they must certainly and necessarily be attended with rewards and punishments: Because the same reasons, which prove God himself to be necessarily just and good, and the rules of justice, equity, and goodness, to be his unalterable will, law, and command, to all created beings; prove also that he cannot but be pleased with and approve such creatures as imitate and obey him by observing
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

Letter xxix. To Marcella.
An explanation of the Hebrew words Ephod bad (1 Sam. ii. 18) and Teraphim (Judges xvii. 5). Written at Rome to Marcella, also at Rome a.d. 384.
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

A Private Enquiry
"What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee?"--1 Samuel 3:17. THE Lord would not speak directly to Eli, although he was the High Priest. In ordinary circumstances it would have been so; but Eli had grieved the Lord, and thus had lost his honorable standing. God had not cast him off; but he viewed him with such displeasure that he would only speak to him through another person: even as great kings, if they are offended with their courtiers, send them messages by other hands. The Lord sent,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

Appendix xix. On Eternal Punishment, According to the Rabbis and the New Testament
THE Parables of the Ten Virgins' and of the Unfaithful Servant' close with a Discourse on the Last Things,' the final Judgment, and the fate of those Christ's Righ Hand and at His Left (St. Matt. xxv. 31-46). This final Judgment by our Lord forms a fundamental article in the Creed of the Church. It is the Christ Who comes, accompanied by the Angelic Host, and sits down on the throne of His Glory, when all nations are gathered before Him. Then the final separation is made, and joy or sorrow awarded
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Covenanting a Privilege of Believers.
Whatever attainment is made by any as distinguished from the wicked, or whatever gracious benefit is enjoyed, is a spiritual privilege. Adoption into the family of God is of this character. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power (margin, or, the right; or, privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."[617] And every co-ordinate benefit is essentially so likewise. The evidence besides, that Covenanting
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Mystery
Of the Woman dwelling in the Wilderness. The woman delivered of a child, when the dragon was overcome, from thenceforth dwelt in the wilderness, by which is figured the state of the Church, liberated from Pagan tyranny, to the time of the seventh trumpet, and the second Advent of Christ, by the type, not of a latent, invisible, but, as it were, an intermediate condition, like that of the lsraelitish Church journeying in the wilderness, from its departure from Egypt, to its entrance into the land
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse

Sixth Day. Holiness and Glory.
Who is like unto Thee, O Lord! among the gods? Who is like unto Thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou in Thy mercy hast led Thy people which Thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in Thy strength to the habitation of Thy holiness ... The holy place, O Lord, which Thy hands have established.' --Ex. xv. 11-17. In these words we have another step in advance in the revelation of Holiness. We have here for the first time Holiness predicated of God Himself. He
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Sanctification.
VI. Objections answered. I will consider those passages of scripture which are by some supposed to contradict the doctrine we have been considering. 1 Kings viii. 46: "If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near," etc. On this passage, I remark:-- 1. That this sentiment in nearly the same language, is repeated in 2 Chron. vi. 26, and in Eccl.
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity the Christian Calling and Unity.
Text: Ephesians 4, 1-6. 1 I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called, 2 with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

The Sun Rising Upon a Dark World
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon then hath the light shined. C ontrasts are suited to illustrate and strengthen the impression of each other. The happiness of those, who by faith in MESSIAH, are brought into a state of peace, liberty, and comfort, is greatly enhanced and heightened by the consideration of that previous state of misery in which they once lived, and of the greater misery to which they were justly exposed.
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Entire Sanctification
By Dr. Adam Clarke The word "sanctify" has two meanings. 1. It signifies to consecrate, to separate from earth and common use, and to devote or dedicate to God and his service. 2. It signifies to make holy or pure. Many talk much, and indeed well, of what Christ has done for us: but how little is spoken of what he is to do in us! and yet all that he has done for us is in reference to what he is to do in us. He was incarnated, suffered, died, and rose again from the dead; ascended to heaven, and there
Adam Clarke—Entire Sanctification

The Holiness of God
The next attribute is God's holiness. Exod 15:51. Glorious in holiness.' Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of his crown; it is the name by which God is known. Psa 111:1. Holy and reverend is his name.' He is the holy One.' Job 6:60. Seraphims cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.' Isa 6:6. His power makes him mighty, his holiness makes him glorious. God's holiness consists in his perfect love of righteousness, and abhorrence of evil. Of purer eyes than
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
In order accurately to understand the position of woman in Israel, it is only necessary carefully to peruse the New Testament. The picture of social life there presented gives a full view of the place which she held in private and in public life. Here we do not find that separation, so common among Orientals at all times, but a woman mingles freely with others both at home and abroad. So far from suffering under social inferiority, she takes influential and often leading part in all movements, specially
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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