God’s faithfulness to Hannah shows He rewards a humble heart of prayer.
God’s hand of blessing is powerfully on display in this verse. Hannah, who had previously been barren, experiences the divine favor described as “The LORD visited Hannah; and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew before the LORD.” (v.21) This moment follows Hannah’s heartfelt prayer and dedication of her firstborn son to the service of God. The location for these events, Shiloh, was a central place of worship in the hill country of Ephraim in ancient Israel. Hannah herself lived around the late 11th century BC, in the waning days of the judges’ era, and her faithful reverence highlights her importance in the biblical narrative.
Here, the text emphasizes that Hannah’s children are a direct blessing from God, fulfilling her desire for offspring beyond her firstborn, Samuel. God’s “visiting” conveys His intervention and favor, reflecting a theme found throughout Scripture when the Lord draws near to His people to bless and restore them (Luke 1:37). In response to her steadfast trust, God rewards Hannah’s faith by growing her family. The final phrase, “And the boy Samuel grew before the LORD,” (v.21) underscores that Samuel—who would become Israel’s last judge and a pivotal prophet—received not only physical growth but also spiritual formation in God’s presence.
The verse makes a broader connection to Jesus, who is also described in the New Testament as growing in both stature and favor with God (Luke 2:52). Samuel’s life of service foreshadows Christ’s own role as the One who would intimately know God’s will and lead people to worship. Hannah’s story, resounding through the ages, illustrates that a humble plea to God can bring about profound blessings, shaping not only a single family’s destiny but the entire course of a nation’s spiritual journey.
Set to dark mode
1 Samuel 2:21 meaning
God’s hand of blessing is powerfully on display in this verse. Hannah, who had previously been barren, experiences the divine favor described as “The LORD visited Hannah; and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew before the LORD.” (v.21) This moment follows Hannah’s heartfelt prayer and dedication of her firstborn son to the service of God. The location for these events, Shiloh, was a central place of worship in the hill country of Ephraim in ancient Israel. Hannah herself lived around the late 11th century BC, in the waning days of the judges’ era, and her faithful reverence highlights her importance in the biblical narrative.
Here, the text emphasizes that Hannah’s children are a direct blessing from God, fulfilling her desire for offspring beyond her firstborn, Samuel. God’s “visiting” conveys His intervention and favor, reflecting a theme found throughout Scripture when the Lord draws near to His people to bless and restore them (Luke 1:37). In response to her steadfast trust, God rewards Hannah’s faith by growing her family. The final phrase, “And the boy Samuel grew before the LORD,” (v.21) underscores that Samuel—who would become Israel’s last judge and a pivotal prophet—received not only physical growth but also spiritual formation in God’s presence.
The verse makes a broader connection to Jesus, who is also described in the New Testament as growing in both stature and favor with God (Luke 2:52). Samuel’s life of service foreshadows Christ’s own role as the One who would intimately know God’s will and lead people to worship. Hannah’s story, resounding through the ages, illustrates that a humble plea to God can bring about profound blessings, shaping not only a single family’s destiny but the entire course of a nation’s spiritual journey.