Who was Elkanah in the Bible?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

There are several individuals named Elkanah in the Bible, with three being descendants of Korah and Levi, and others serving roles such as joining David in Ziklag and being a doorkeeper for the ark of the covenant. One Elkanah is noted as an ancestor of Levites taken into Babylonian captivity and another as second to King Ahaz. The most well-known Elkanah is the father of Samuel, a Levite from Ramah with two wives, Hannah and Peninnah, who showed great love and kindness to Hannah despite her initial barrenness. Elkanah and Hannah faithfully worshiped at Shiloh, and their prayers were answered with the birth of Samuel, whom they dedicated to the Lord's service. Elkanah supported Hannah's vow to God and trusted her devotion, and their faithfulness resulted in a legacy through Samuel, a significant prophet and judge of Israel.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• There are several Elkanahs in the Bible. Three are listed among the Kohathites, as descendants of Korah and Levi (1 Chronicles 6:22–27; 6:34–38; cf. Exodus 6:24). One Elkanah joined David in Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:6) and one (possibly the same) served as doorkeeper for the ark of the covenant when David brought the ark back to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:23). An Elkanah is listed as an ancestor of the Levites who were taken into captivity in Babylon (1 Chronicles 9:16), and an Elkanah is recorded to have been second to King Ahaz in 2 Chronicles 28:7.
• The most well-known Elkanah is the father of Samuel. This Elkanah was a Levite who lived in Ramah in the hill country of Ephraim with his two wives Hannah and Peninnah (1 Samuel 1:1–2; cf. 1 Chronicles 6:33–34). Hannah was barren while Peninnah bore many children. Despite the societal shame of infertility, Elkanah loved his wife Hannah and showed her extra kindness and favor (1 Samuel 1:5). He tried to cheer up his wife when she was downcast, but he did not fully grasp the depth of her despair because he believed that simply being married to him would be enough to fulfill her dreams and desires (1 Samuel 1:8).
• Elkanah and his wife Hannah were faithful believers who worshiped at the tabernacle in Shiloh every year. Hannah took her dreams and desires to the Lord in prayer (1 Samuel 1:11, 15–16). The Lord answered her prayer with the conception and birth of her son, Samuel. Elkanah returned to Shiloh "to pay his vow" (1 Samuel 1:21), so it is possible he, too, had been praying for Hannah to conceive. In any case, it is obvious that Elkanah was a man of integrity who faithfully kept his word to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:21–28).
• When their son was born, Elkanah gave the privilege of naming the baby to Hannah, though it was normally a right reserved for the father. Hannah chose the name Samuel meaning "asked of the Lord" just as this son was an answer to prayer (1 Samuel 1:20). Later that year, when it was time to go to Shiloh for the annual sacrifice, Hannah told Elkanah that she would stay home with the boy until he was weaned (years later). He responded, "Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the LORD establish his word" (1 Samuel 1:23). Elkanah trusted his wife's devotion to God and supported her promise to surrender this child to serve God in the tabernacle.
• A few years later, Elkanah and Hannah brought Samuel to the tabernacle and surrendered him to serve the Lord there (1 Samuel 1:24, 28). Elkanah was then blessed with three more sons and two daughters through Hannah (1 Samuel 2:21). He also had a lasting legacy through Samuel, who became a faithful judge of Israel, a true prophet (1 Samuel 3:19–21), and the one God asked to anoint the first and second kings of the nation (1 Samuel 10; 12; 16).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Elkanah is not mentioned in the New Testament.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The life of Elkanah, the father of Samuel, provides a profound example of faithful devotion to God and steadfast love within the family. Despite societal pressures and personal challenges, particularly regarding his wife Hannah's infertility, Elkanah remained a loving and supportive husband. His unwavering faith is demonstrated through his regular worship at Shiloh and his encouragement of Hannah's vows and prayers to the Lord. Elkanah's story reminds us of the importance of patience and trust in God's timing, showing that sincere devotion and prayer can lead to extraordinary blessings.

Elkanah was also willing to give up his son despite the extra honor another son would have earned him in his society because he believed it was the right thing to do. He clearly had decided to live according to God's will instead of his own. He was a man who kept his word, loved his wife beyond her ability to bear him sons, and worshiped God faithfully (1 Samuel 2:19). His legacy through Samuel, a significant prophet and judge, illustrates how faithfulness in the ordinary aspects of life can contribute to God’s larger plan and encourages us to faithfully follow the Lord’s will instead of our own.

UNDERSTAND

• There are several men named Elkanah in the Bible, but the most prominent one is the father of the prophet, Samuel.
• Elkanah, Samuel’s father, remained faithful to Hannah despite her infertility and rejoiced when God answered their prayers for a child.
• Elkanah faithfully followed God’s plan and honored his wife’s promise to God by giving Samuel to be raised in the tabernacle.

REFLECT

• How do I handle waiting on God for answers to my prayers, and what can I learn from Elkanah's patience and faith?
• In what ways can I show love and support to others, especially during challenging times, as Elkanah did for Hannah?
• How can I demonstrate my commitment to God's will in my daily life, the way Elkanah faithfully worshiped and kept his vows to the Lord?

ENGAGE

• How do we, as a society, view faithfulness and devotion? Why are these qualities important?
• How does Elkanah's support of Hannah's vow to dedicate Samuel to the Lord reflect his understanding of and relationship with God?
• Trusting in God’s timing can be difficult. In what ways does Elkanah's story illustrate the importance of trusting in God's timing and plan, and how can we encourage each other to maintain this trust in our own lives?