Menu

1 Samuel 2:26

1 Samuel 2:26 in Multiple Translations

And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with man.

And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.

And the child Samuel grew on, and increased in favor both with Jehovah, and also with men.

And the young Samuel, becoming older, had the approval of the Lord and of men.

The boy Samuel grew physically, and also grew in the approval of both the Lord and the people.

(Nowe the childe Samuel profited and grewe, and was in fauour both with the Lord and also with men)

And the youth Samuel is going on and growing up, and [is] good both with Jehovah, and also with men.

The child Samuel grew on, and increased in favor both with the LORD and also with men.

And the child Samuel continued to grow, and was in favor both with the LORD, and also with men.

But the child Samuel advanced, and grew on, and pleased both the Lord and men.

The boy Samuel continued to grow up, and the things that he did pleased Yahweh and the people.

But the boy Samuel was growing up the right way. God loved him and so did everybody else.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights
God & Jesus
Holy Spirit
Divine Actions
Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 2:26

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Samuel 2:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וְ/הַ/נַּ֣עַר שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל הֹלֵ֥ךְ וְ/גָדֵ֖ל וָ/ט֑וֹב גַּ֚ם עִם יְהוָ֔ה וְ/גַ֖ם עִם אֲנָשִֽׁים
וְ/הַ/נַּ֣עַר naʻar H5288 youth Conj | Art | N-ms
שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל Shᵉmûwʼêl H8050 Shemuel N-proper
הֹלֵ֥ךְ hâlak H1980 to go V-Qal
וְ/גָדֵ֖ל gâdêl H1432 growing Conj | V-Qal
וָ/ט֑וֹב ṭôwb H2896 pleasant Conj | Adj
גַּ֚ם gam H1571 also DirObjM
עִם ʻim H5973 with Prep
יְהוָ֔ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
וְ/גַ֖ם gam H1571 also Conj | DirObjM
עִם ʻim H5973 with Prep
אֲנָשִֽׁים ʼîysh H376 man N-mp
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 2:26

וְ/הַ/נַּ֣עַר naʻar H5288 "youth" Conj | Art | N-ms
In the original Hebrew, this word means a young person, either a boy or a girl, from infancy to adolescence. It is used to describe the servants and attendants who worked for kings and other important people in the Old Testament, like King David's servants.
Definition: 1) a boy, lad, servant, youth, retainer 1a) boy, lad, youth 1b) servant, retainer
Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: babe, boy, child, damsel (from the margin), lad, servant, young (man). See also: Genesis 14:24; 1 Samuel 25:5; Psalms 37:25.
שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל Shᵉmûwʼêl H8050 "Shemuel" N-proper
Shemuel was the name of three Israelites, including a judge and prophet of Israel during the time of King Saul and King David. His name means his name is El and he was the son of Elkanah and Hannah.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Issachar living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at 1Ch.7.2; son of: Tola (H8439); brother of: Uzzi (H5813H), Rephaiah (H7509I), Jeriel (H3400), Jahmai (H3181) and Ibsam (H3005) § Samuel = "his name is El" 1) son of Elkanah by his wife Hannah and judge or prophet of Israel during the days of Saul and David 2) son Ammihud and the prince of the tribe of Simeon who was chosen to divide the land of Canaan between the tribes. Spelled 'Shemuel' 3) son of Tola and grandson of Issachar. Spelled 'Shemuel'
Usage: Occurs in 120 OT verses. KJV: Samuel, Shemuel. See also: Numbers 34:20; 1 Samuel 12:1; Psalms 99:6.
הֹלֵ֥ךְ hâlak H1980 "to go" V-Qal
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Definition: : walk/move 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to walk 1b2) to walk (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to traverse 1c2) to walk about 1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 473 OT verses. KJV: (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. See also: Genesis 2:14; Judges 4:9; 1 Kings 13:12.
וְ/גָדֵ֖ל gâdêl H1432 "growing" Conj | V-Qal
This Hebrew word means growing or becoming great, like a child growing up or something increasing in size. It is used in the Bible to describe things that are large or impressive. In the KJV, it is translated as 'great' or 'grew'.
Definition: becoming great, growing up
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: great, grew. See also: Genesis 26:13; 2 Chronicles 17:12; Ezekiel 16:26.
וָ/ט֑וֹב ṭôwb H2896 "pleasant" Conj | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
גַּ֚ם gam H1571 "also" DirObjM
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
עִם ʻim H5973 "with" Prep
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
יְהוָ֔ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
וְ/גַ֖ם gam H1571 "also" Conj | DirObjM
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
עִם ʻim H5973 "with" Prep
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
אֲנָשִֽׁים ʼîysh H376 "man" N-mp
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.

Study Notes — 1 Samuel 2:26

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
2 Luke 2:40 And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.
3 Acts 2:47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
4 1 Samuel 2:21 So the LORD attended to Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.
5 Luke 1:80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel.
6 Romans 14:18 For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
7 Proverbs 3:3 Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

1 Samuel 2:26 Summary

This verse tells us that Samuel was growing up to be a strong and mature young man, and that he was pleasing to God and respected by the people around him. This happened because Samuel was faithful to God and obeyed His commands, which is an important lesson for us today (as seen in John 14:15). As we seek to follow God and please Him, He will often give us favor with the people around us, just like He did with Samuel. By trusting in God and doing good, we can experience growth and favor in our own lives, just like Samuel did (Proverbs 3:4).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for Samuel to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with man?

This means that Samuel was becoming stronger and more mature physically, and he was also becoming more pleasing to God and more respected by the people around him, much like Jesus grew in wisdom and stature as described in Luke 2:52.

How did Samuel's relationship with the LORD contribute to his growth?

Samuel's relationship with the LORD was likely nurtured through his service in the temple and his obedience to God's commands, which is similar to the way David's heart was after God as described in 1 Samuel 13:14.

What can we learn from Samuel's example about pleasing God and man?

We can learn that pleasing God is the most important thing, and when we do, He will often give us favor with the people around us, as seen in Proverbs 3:4 where it says that if we trust in the LORD and do good, He will give us favor with God and man.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?

This verse serves as a contrast to the wicked behavior of Eli's sons, who were sinning against the LORD and would not listen to their father's rebuke, as seen in 1 Samuel 2:25, highlighting the importance of following God's ways and pleasing Him.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I can grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with man, just like Samuel did?
  2. How can I prioritize my relationship with God and make sure that I am pleasing Him?
  3. What are some areas of my life where I need to trust God more and seek His favor?
  4. How can I use my gifts and talents to serve God and bring Him glory, just like Samuel did in the temple?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 2:26

And the child Samuel grew up,.... Increased in stature and in grace, grew more and more in all respects, and better and better, while Eli's sons grew worse and worse; the contrast between these make

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 2:26

And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men. No JFB commentary on this verse.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:26

He grew better in bad times, which is remembered to his commendation.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:26

1 Samuel 2:26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.Ver. 26. And the child Samuel grew on, &c.] The worse Eli’ s graceless sons were, the better Samuel was: the more amiable and acceptable both to God and men. Bad company to good people is, or ought to be, as the dirt of oysters, whose mud hath soap in it, and doth rather scour than defile. And also with men.] This was a great mercy to him, as it was afterwards to David, that "whatsoever he did pleased the people."

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:26

(26) Grew on, and was in favour.—The very expressions of the biographer of Samuel were adopted by St. Luke when, in the early chapters of his Gospel, he wishes to describe in a few striking words the boyhood and youth of Him who was far greater than the child-prophet of Israel.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 2:26

26. grew on, and was in favour] A childhood like that of Jesus (Luke 2:52). Again Samuel’s progress is contrasted with the declension of Hophni and Phinehas.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 2:26

And the child Samuel ... - The account of our Lord’s growth Luke 2:52 is very similar; “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” The literal version of the passage

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:26

26. The child Samuel grew — Whilst Eli’s sons grew in wickedness, Samuel grew in grace and wisdom. See introductory note before 1 Samuel 2:11.

Sermons on 1 Samuel 2:26

SermonDescription
Zac Poonen Samuel Grew Up "In Favour Both With the Lord and With Men" by Zac Poonen Zac Poonen preaches on the powerful story of Hannah's prayer for a child, highlighting her selfless vow to dedicate her son to the Lord, shifting the focus from her need to God's n
Samuel Logan Brengle The Soul-Winner and the Children by Samuel Logan Brengle Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes the vital role of soul-winners in reaching children for Christ, highlighting their openness and receptiveness to the Gospel. He stresses the importa
Gareth Evans A Child. by Gareth Evans Gareth Evans preaches on the characteristics of childlikeness as highlighted in Matthew 18:4. He emphasizes that being humble like a child means knowing oneself in truth, being tra
Tim Keller A Spirit Hath Not Flesh and Bones by Tim Keller In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the message of Easter, which is that by uniting with Jesus Christ, believers will miss out on nothing. He encourages the congregation to rel
Kent Hovind Gaining Control in the Classroom by Kent Hovind In this sermon, Ken Hovind discusses the importance of being a fair and patient teacher, especially when it comes to teaching children about the word of God. He emphasizes the need
Zac Poonen Acquiring a Heart of Wisdom by Zac Poonen This sermon emphasizes the importance of acquiring wisdom in our lives, drawing insights from Psalms 90 and the life of Jesus. It highlights the need to submit to imperfect authori
Alan Martin Becoming Strong in Spirit by Alan Martin In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the idea of compelling others to come to the word of God. He acknowledges that he may have misunderstood how this should be done, but believ

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate