1 Samuel 4:20 Meaning and Explanation
“And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →As she dies, the women comfort her that she has borne a son, but she does not answer or take it to heart.
What Does 1 Samuel 4:20 Mean?
As she dies in childbirth, the women attending her try to comfort her with the news that should bring joy: she has borne a son. In that culture a son was hope, continuity, a future. Yet she gives no answer and pays the news no regard. The one consolation they can offer cannot reach her.
Her silence is heavy with meaning. The birth of a son, normally cause for celebration, cannot lift a heart crushed by the sense that God's presence has departed from Israel. Some griefs go deeper than any earthly comfort can reach. The verse shows how spiritual loss can eclipse even the dearest blessings. And yet, even in this darkness, a child is born, a small thread of life and continuance held out by God when all seemed lost.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 4:20
What does 1 Samuel 4:20 mean?
As she dies, the women comfort her that she has borne a son, but she does not answer or take it to heart.