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

1 SAMUEL 2:4KJV
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1 Samuel 2:4 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 2:4 mean?

1 Samuel 2:4 says that those who seem powerful and strong can be brought low, while those who are weak or struggling can be made strong. The verse uses the image of broken bows and strengthened people to show how fortunes can be reversed.

This verse is part of Hannah’s prayer after she dedicates her son Samuel to God. She is speaking to God, reflecting on how He can change people’s situations—bringing down the mighty and lifting up the weak. The verse highlights God’s ability to overturn human expectations and power structures.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 2:4

  • בְּרָכִים (qeshet, transliterated "qeshet") — "bows": This word refers to the weapon used by warriors, symbolizing strength and military power. Its breaking shows the defeat or weakening of the mighty.
  • גִּבּוֹרִים (gibborim, transliterated "gibborim") — "mighty men": This word often means strong or valiant people, especially in battle. The verse points out that even these can be humbled.
  • נִשְׁבָּרוּ (nishberu, transliterated "nishberu") — "broken": This word means shattered or destroyed, emphasizing a complete loss of strength or effectiveness.
  • כָּשְׁלִים (koshelim, transliterated "koshelim") — "stumbled": This word describes those who have failed or faltered, showing weakness or vulnerability.
  • אֲזוּרוּ (azuru, transliterated "azuru") — "girded": This word means to be equipped or strengthened, often by tying up clothing for action or battle.
  • חַיִל (chayil, transliterated "chayil") — "strength": This word can mean strength, ability, or even wealth, but here it focuses on being made strong or capable.

Why 1 Samuel 2:4 matters

  • 1 Samuel 2:4 clears up the idea that strength and weakness are permanent conditions; it shows that God can change anyone’s situation.
  • The verse emphasizes a key theme in Hannah’s prayer: God’s control over human fortunes, which sets the tone for the rest of Samuel’s story.
  • This reversal of roles—mighty brought low, weak made strong—prepares the reader for later events in the book, where unexpected people are chosen and raised up by God.

Where else these words appear

“broken” Hebrew H2844 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 9:2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.
  • Job 41:33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.
  • Jeremiah 46:5 Wherefore have I seen them dismayed and turned away back? and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace, and look not back: for fear was round about, saith the LORD.

“girded” Hebrew H247 · used in 15 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:40 For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
  • Job 40:7 Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
  • Psalms 93:1 The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

“stumbled” Hebrew H3782 · used in 59 verses

  • Leviticus 26:37 And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.
  • Isaiah 5:27 None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:
  • Jeremiah 50:32 And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him.

“bows” Hebrew H7198 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:33 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
  • Isaiah 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.