1 Samuel 2:4

Translations

Modern

The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble are equipped with strength.

Traditional

The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

Literal

The bows of the mighty are broken, and those who stumbled are girded with strength.

Latin

Arcus fortium superatus est, et infirmi accincti sunt robore.

Original

Hebrew

English

The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble are equipped with strength.

Notes

1 Samuel 2:4–8

Hannah celebrated God's power to completely change people's situations.

1 Samuel 2:1–10

Hannah’s Prayer of Praise celebrates Samuel's dedication to serving God. It highlights God's:

Uniqueness (1 Samuel 2:1–2)
Power to change fortunes (1 Samuel 2:3–9)
Ability to strengthen his chosen king (1 Samuel 2:10)

Like Mary’s Song of Praise in Luke 1:46–55, Hannah’s prayer emphasizes God bringing down the rich and powerful and lifting up the poor and oppressed (1 Samuel 2:7–8; Luke 1:52–53). David’s prayer in 2 Samuel 22 is another beautiful statement of God’s saving power for his chosen king (1 Samuel 2:10). God will bring down the rich, unrighteous rulers (like Eli, Saul, or Herod). Leaders who follow God's will like Samuel, David or Jesus will be lifted up to a higher position or status.

Theme notes and profiles

Samuel The Priestly Blessing

Related verses

Psalm 37:15
But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
Psalm 76:3
There He shattered the flaming arrows, the shield and sword and weapons of war. Selah
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Psalm 46:9
He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire.
Isaiah 10:4
Nothing will remain but to crouch among the captives or fall among the slain. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
Hebrews 11:34
…quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.
Psalm 37:17
For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 4:9–10
…persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
Jeremiah 37:10
Indeed, if you were to strike down the entire army of the Chaldeans that is fighting against you, and only wounded men remained in their tents, they would still get up and burn this city down.”
Ephesians 6:14
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,

1 Samuel 2:4

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