1 Samuel 4:20
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.
Original Language Analysis
וּכְעֵ֣ת
And about the time
H6256
וּכְעֵ֣ת
And about the time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
1 of 15
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
מוּתָ֗הּ
of her death
H4191
מוּתָ֗הּ
of her death
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
2 of 15
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וַתְּדַבֵּ֙רְנָה֙
by her said
H1696
וַתְּדַבֵּ֙רְנָה֙
by her said
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
3 of 15
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
הַנִּצָּב֣וֹת
the women that stood
H5324
הַנִּצָּב֣וֹת
the women that stood
Strong's:
H5324
Word #:
4 of 15
to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)
עָלֶ֔יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֔יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
6 of 15
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּֽירְאִ֖י
unto her Fear
H3372
תִּֽירְאִ֖י
unto her Fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
7 of 15
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בֵ֣ן
a son
H1121
בֵ֣ן
a son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יָלָ֑דְתְּ
not for thou hast born
H3205
יָלָ֑דְתְּ
not for thou hast born
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
10 of 15
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָֽנְתָ֖ה
But she answered
H6030
עָֽנְתָ֖ה
But she answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
12 of 15
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,
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Psalms 77:2In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.John 16:21A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- What does her non-response to the birth of a son reveal about her priorities?
- When do personal blessings fail to comfort because larger realities overshadow them?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.