Two weeks ago, I started this series on 1 Samuel 1, purposefully studying the “minor” characters instead of the usual approach to this passage.
Several of you have thanked me for this focus, stating that you had never considered that these “minor” characters could reveal so much about the Lord’s work in our daily lives.
Today, again I want us to study the next group of verses from 1 Samuel 1.
And yes, as the title suggests, we will focus in again on the minor character of Elkanah and his faithfulness as he returns to worship God at Shiloh every year.
Elkanah Returns to Worship God
A Study of 1 Samuel 1:21-28
23The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.”[1]
Compare the first verse above with 1 Samuel 1:3.
What do you learn about Elkanah in these verses?
Why did Hannah decline to go up with the family?
A quick google search of the question, “What age is a child weaned?”, informed me that weaning a child occurs anywhere from one-year-old up to three or four years old depending on the individual child’s and mother’s needs.
In our day, there are many more “conveniences” to aid the weaning process than what was available to Hannah. Thus, combined with extra-biblical resources, this leads to the likelihood that the weaning process took closer to the three to four years’ time span for Hannah and baby Samuel.
23 Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the Lord establish his word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him.[2]
How did Elkanah support Hannah’s choice to stay behind? (See Numbers 30:13)
Why did Elkanah say, “only, may the Lord establish his word.”?
Elkanah clearly supported Hannah’s decision to stay behind. He may not be the central character in this story, but Elkanah continues to be present as a faithful encourager and provider for his entire family.
24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli.[3]
What did Hannah take with her to present Samuel at Shiloh?
There is debate in the commentaries whether it was a three-year-old bull or three bulls that were brought to Shiloh. Regardless of this debate, the amount of flour mentioned, and the skin of wine reveal Elkanah was wealthy and able to be generous.
Aside from being wealthy, what other reasons might Hannah and Elkanah have brought such a substantial amount for their child’s dedication? (See 1 Samuel 1:11)
26 And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. 28 Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.”
And he worshiped the Lord there. [4]
Why is it necessary for Hannah to remind Eli of who she is? (See 1 Samuel 1:23 and discussion above.)
Hannah acknowledges the Lord gave her the child she wanted. And, she follows through on her vow back in 1 Samuel 1: 11 by giving Samuel to Eli at a very young age, knowing she would only see Samuel once a year after this trip.
Why is it significant that Hannah fulfilled her vow?
The “he” in the last sentence of verse twenty-eight reminds us that Elkanah was present with Hannah at the child’s dedication.
What is Elkanah’s role and why is it important in verses twenty-six through twenty-eight? (See Numbers 30:13 again)
Elkanah Returns to Worship God
Application for Today
1 Samuel 1 is a chapter that centers on Hannah, a barren wife who petitions the Lord for a son and promises that if the Lord grants this petition, she will then, in response, return this son to back to the Lord. But instead of focusing on Hannah these past few weeks, I have focused on the supporting characters of the passage: Elkanah, Hannah’s husband and Eli, the priest they interact with when at Shiloh to offer their annual worship sacrifices.
Today I included more about Hannah, but not without continuing to understand how Elkanah’s role of faithful worship of the Lord was an integral part of the story line.
Have you ever considered how your approach to worship of the Lord affects those around you? Why or why not?
Do you have an “Elkanah” in your life that supports you and encourages you to worship God?
Who are you the “Elkanah” for in your life?
How has studying the supporting characters in 1 Samuel 1 broadened your understanding of the Lord’s provision for you?
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Sa 1:21–22.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Sa 1:23.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Sa 1:24–25.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Sa 1:26–28.