The Family Of Elkanah

Throughout the creation until this present age, God has been true to the promises He made to his chosen people. From delivering Daniel in the lions’ den to raining fire on the altars of Baal, God has never forsaken man.

In the following series, He is again at work in the lives of His people, working that which man deems impossible. Whether barren, destitute or despondent, it does not matter to God because He works the impossible. He provides sacrifices where there are none, sends rain after a 120-year drought, impregnate women who are pass child-bearing age and interferes with the normal function of our solar system by causing its center (the sun) to stand still thus giving victory to his people.

For the remainder of this year, I will be citing individual accounts of God blessing His people as they obey and follow His instructions. As you read along, you will also see that the blessings of God come with a price.

There was a certain man from the city of Ramah in the hill country of Epharim named Elkanah who had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children but Hannah was barren, having no children.

Each year, Elkanah and his family would travel to Shiloh to worship and offer sacrifices to God at the tabernacle. The two priests who presided over the tabernacle at the time of Elkanah’s visit were sons of Eli, a great priest of whom I will mention later. Their names were Hophni and Phinehas.

Each time Elkanah visited the tabernacle to offer his sacrifices, he would give a portion to Peninnah and each of her children. In the case of Hannah, Elkanah gave her a special portion because he loved her very much; although she was barren and had bore him no children.

As time went on, Peninnah made fun of Hannah because she was childless until one day Hannah was reduced to tears and refused to eat. Elkanah tried to appease his wife by telling her that having him for a husband was better than the equivalent of ten sons. But Hannah did not agree, nor was she satisfied.

Totally despondent, Hannah continued her customary visit to the tabernacle. One day after supper, she went to the tabernacle to pray. Eli was the priest at the time, and sat at his usual place beside the entrance.

In deep anguish crying bitterly, Hannah prayed to the Lord and made a vow to him, " O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto me a child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the day of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head".

If you recall in the series involving Samson, the angel of the Lord came unto Samson’s mother who was also barren but blessed by God and conceived a son. This same vow was given to Hannah concerning her son; "No razor would come upon his head." This was a vow made to God from members of certain tribal sects; in these cases, Nazarites and Ephratites.

As Hannah prayed, Eli watched her. Because she prayed out of her heart making only movements with her lips that produced no sounds, he thought her to be drunk. In response, Eli replied to Hannah, "How long wilt thou be drunken? Put away thy wine from thee." Samuel 1:14 (KJV)

Hannah responded to the priest’s accusations by informing him that she was of a sorrowful spirit and had drank neither wine nor strong drink, but was pouring out her spirit in desire to conceive. Eli answered the grieving woman saying, " Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him."

After her conversation with Eli, Hannah went her way and did eat, having no more sorrow. She continued her customary morning worship at the tabernacle and then returned to her homeland with her husband. After she returned to her home, Hannah conceived and bare a son. She named him Samuel which means, "Because I have asked of the Lord."

As with Samson, God continued to touch the wombs of the barren as they obeyed and followed his commands. In the coming articles, you will see how young Samuel will grow up and become one of God’s chosen.

By Naomi J. Brown