Elkanah

Elkanah, an Ephraimite from Ramathaim-zophim, was the father of the prophet Samuel and the husband of Hannah and Peninnah (1 Samuel 1:1,4). He was a devout man who regularly went to worship and sacrifice to the Lord at Shiloh (1 Samuel 1:3). Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. While Peninnah had children, Hannah was barren (1 Samuel 1:2). Despite Hannah's inability to bear children, Elkanah loved her deeply and tried to comfort her (1 Samuel 1:8). Hannah prayed fervently for a child and vowed to dedicate him to the Lord's service (1 Samuel 1:11). After the birth of Samuel, Elkanah supported Hannah in fulfilling her vow and brought the child to serve in the tabernacle under Eli the priest (1 Samuel 1:21-28). Elkanah continued to worship at Shiloh and received a blessing from Eli for his devotion (1 Samuel 2:20). He is also mentioned in the genealogies of the Levites as an ancestor of Samuel and his sons (1 Chronicles 6:27,34). Elkanah's story highlights his faithfulness, love for his family, and support for Hannah's dedication of Samuel to the Lord's service.