1 Samuel 2:4

4 “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength.

1 Samuel 2:4 in Other Translations

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

4 The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength.

4 The bow of the mighty is now broken, and those who stumbled are now strong.

4 The weapons of the strong are smashed to pieces, while the weak are infused with fresh strength.

4 The bows of the mighty men are broken; And they that stumbled are girded with strength.

4 "The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumble are armed with strength.

4 The bows of the warriors are broken, but the feeble are clothed with strength.

4 "The bows of great heroes are broken. But those who trip and fall are made strong.

1 Samuel 2:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 2:4

The bows of the mighty men are broken
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 enabled to stand against him, and wrestle with him and them, being strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, as it follows:

and they that stumbled are girt with strength;
who, through weakness, are ready to stumble at everything they meet with in the way; yet, being girded with strength by the Lord, are able to do great exploits, as David did, that being his case, ( Psalms 18:29 Psalms 18:32 ) , so such as are weak in grace, in faith, in knowledge, and ready to stumble at every trial and exercise, let it come from what quarter it will; yet being girded by the Lord with strength, are able to exercise grace, perform duty, go through every service they are called to, whether in a way of doing or suffering, to bear the yoke and cross of Christ, to oppose every enemy, to walk on in the ways of God, and to persevere in faith and holiness to the end.

1 Samuel 2:4 In-Context

2 “There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.

3 “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.

4 “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength.

5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.

6 “The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Samuel 1:27; Psalms 37:15; Psalms 46:9; Psalms 76:3
• 2. Job 17:9; Isaiah 40:31; Isaiah 41:1; Isaiah 52:1; Isaiah 57:10