King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 4:20 Mean?

1 Samuel 4:20 in the King James Version says “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 a...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. neither: Heb. set not her heart”

1 Samuel 4:20 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

18

And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.

19

And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her. be delivered: or, cry out came: Heb. were turned

20

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. neither: Heb. set not her heart

21

And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband. Ichabod: that is, Where is the glory? or, There is no glory

22

And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.

Read 1 Samuel 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
As she dies, attendants try to comfort her: 'Fear not; for thou hast born a son.' In normal circumstances, bearing a son would bring joy and security. But she does not respond - 'she answered not, neither did she regard it.' A son cannot compensate for what has been lost. The attendants' comfort reflects normal values; her non-response reflects accurate theological assessment. Personal blessing means nothing when God's glory has departed. Her priorities exceed those of her comforters.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The birth of a son ordinarily brought great joy, especially in securing a widow's future. The attendants' words follow conventional comfort formulas. The woman's unresponsiveness signals that something more profound than personal circumstances concerns her.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does her non-response to the birth of a son reveal about her priorities?
  2. When do personal blessings fail to comfort because larger realities overshadow them?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וּכְעֵ֣ת1 of 15

“And about the time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

מוּתָ֗הּ2 of 15

“of her death”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וַתְּדַבֵּ֙רְנָה֙3 of 15

“by her said”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

הַנִּצָּב֣וֹת4 of 15

“the women that stood”

H5324

to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)

עָלֶ֔יהָ5 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אַל6 of 15
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּֽירְאִ֖י7 of 15

“unto her Fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

כִּ֣י8 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בֵ֣ן9 of 15

“a son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יָלָ֑דְתְּ10 of 15

“not for thou hast born”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

וְלֹ֥א11 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עָֽנְתָ֖ה12 of 15

“But she answered”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

וְלֹא13 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שָׁ֥תָה14 of 15

“not neither did she regard”

H7896

to place (in a very wide application)

לִבָּֽהּ׃15 of 15
H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 4:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 4:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 16:21Genesis 35:17-18Psalms 77:2

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