One of my seminary professors once stated that, anytime, scripture highlights a barren woman to take note because the Lord is about to do something significant.
The first chapter in 1 Samuel shares the unique turn of events that brought about the birth of the prophet and priest, Samuel, through resolving Hannah’s barrenness.
I can relate to Hannah in the early part of her story in the sense that I do not have any physical offspring.
But today, I want to focus not on God resolving Hannah’s barrenness, but on how we can see God at work through Elkanah, her husband, before that resolution occurs.
Seeing God at Work Through Elkanah
A Study on 1 Samuel 1:1-8
There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite.[1]
At first glance, the verse above seems to show that Elkanah is from the tribe of Ephraim. But there is a reason Elkanah’s genealogy is listed.
Take a moment to review a longer genealogy from 1 Chronicles.
The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. 17 And these are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei. 18 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. 19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites according to their fathers. 20 Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, 21 Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeatherai his son. 22 The sons of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, 23 Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son, 24 Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son. 25 The sons of Elkanah: Amasai and Ahimoth, 26 Elkanah his son, Zophai his son, Nahath his son, 27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son. 28 The sons of Samuel: Joel his firstborn, the second Abijah.[2]
What tribe is Elkanah, the son of Jeroham from officially?
The Levites were excluded from inheriting land in the conquest of Canaan in Numbers 26:52-62. Instead, the Levites were to receive cities and pasturelands scattered throughout all the tribes. (See Numbers 35:1-8)
Thus, the reference to Elkanah as an Ephraimite in 1 Samuel 1:1 is pointing out that he lived in the tribe’s territory of Ephraim.
He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. [3]
Explain Elkanah’s marital situation in your own words.
Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord.[4]
How often and why did Elkanah travel to Shiloh?
What does this pattern of Elkanah reveal about his character?
On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb.[5]
The literal translation of the Hebrew for what we see above listed as “double portion” is “two noses as one portion”. This probably means that Hannah received two heads of Elkanah’s sacrificed sheep. Culturally, the head of a sacrificial animal was considered a favored part.
Explain the reason for Elkanah’s actions above.
And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.[6]
Verses six and seven reveal further the cultural discomfort that occurred year by year.
Why is Peninnah described as Hannah’s rival?
And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” [7]
How did Elkanah respond to Hannah’s weeping and refusing to eat?
Was Elkanah being insensitive? Why or why not?
Seeing God at Work Through Elkanah
Although the passage today focuses on a husband-and-wife story, I believe the Lord wants us to see Elkanah’s love and support of his wife, Hannah, as an example of how the Lord loves and supports each of us.
The incredible love Elkanah had for his wife Hannah illustrates the Lord provided an incredible foundation of support and favor to Hannah long before he answered her prayer to resolve her barrenness.
Through Elkanah, God provided Hannah stability and sustenance.
But most importantly, God provided through Elkanah the example of a faithful and worshipful husband.
These early verses highlight Elkanah took his family year by year to offer the required annual sacrifices to the Lord.
Elkanah showed not only that he was faithful to the Lord, but he also loved and provided for his family. Not just Hannah, but also his other wife and children.
Who in your life has the Lord called you to function as a foundation of spiritual and physical support like Elkanah was for Hannah? Remember to think beyond a husband-and-wife relationship or even blood relations.
Have you been as faithful to answer this call as Elkanah was? Why or why not?
Let me know what encouraged or challenged you in today’s post.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Sa 1:1.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Ch 6:16–28.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Sa 1:2.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Sa 1:3.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Sa 1:4–5.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Sa 1:6–7.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Sa 1:8.
Very thought provoking. Thank you !!
You’re welcome.
Never thought much about the other side of Hannah’s story . Had chance recently to witness the sincere love of another husband who walked by his wife’s side day by day for several years as she dealt with weakness, falling and fractured hip, then colon cancer the chemo. That’s true live indeed !!