Chapter
Verse

1 Samuel 2:21

ESV Indeed the LORD visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the LORD.
NIV And the LORD was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.
NASB The Lord indeed visited Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew up before the Lord.
CSB The Lord paid attention to Hannah's need, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.
NLT And the Lord blessed Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.
KJV And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.

What does 1 Samuel 2:21 mean?

Hannah's inability to have children brought her such grief and anguish that she brought an urgent and tear-stained vow to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:5–11). Would she have committed Samuel to the Lord if she had been able to easily have children? Would she have experienced such deep faith and trust in the Lord if it had not been undeniable that He was the one who had granted her request? It's impossible to know God's heart and His motives for giving and withholding children, but it is obvious that He works out His plans and purposes through both.

The Lord continued to personally care for Hannah and Elkanah and gifted them with five more children, far more than Hannah had ever asked for. Meanwhile, Samuel continued to belong to the Lord and to grow up in God's presence. Samuel was part of God's plan and purpose for Hannah, but he was also part of God's plan and purpose for Israel, to replace the corrupt and worthless sons of Eli as God's representative to and for the people of Israel.
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