The Bible tells many important stories about God‘s people. One of those stories is about a man named Samuel. Samuel was a prophet of God. He was a leader, a judge, and a man who listened to God’s voice. But before Samuel became a great man of God, he was a child. Like every child, he had a mother and a father. In this article, we will learn about Samuel’s father in the bible. His name was Elkanah. We will explore who Elkanah was, where he came from, and what the Bible says about him. This article is easy to read and understand. It is for anyone who wants to learn more about the Bible.

Who Was Elkanah?

Elkanah was the father of Samuel. We read about him in the book of 1 Samuel in the Old Testament. In 1 Samuel 1:1, we find the first mention of Elkanah. The verse says:

“Now there was a certain man from Ramathaim Zophim, from the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah…”

This verse tells us where Elkanah was from. He lived in a place called Ramathaim Zophim. This was in the hill country of Ephraim. This means Elkanah was likely part of the tribe of Ephraim.

Elkanah’s Family Line

1 Samuel 1:1 also gives us a list of Elkanah’s ancestors. It says:

“…the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.”

This family line shows us that Elkanah came from a good family. His family had roots in the tribe of Levi. The Levites were chosen by God to serve in the temple. Some Bible scholars believe Elkanah was a Levite who lived in the land of Ephraim.

Elkanah’s Wives

The Bible tells us that Elkanah had two wives. This is found in 1 Samuel 1:2. It says:

“He had two wives: the name of one was Hannah and the name of the other, Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.”

Elkanah’s first wife was Hannah. She was kind and loved God. But she was very sad because she could not have children. Peninnah was the other wife. She had children, but she was not kind to Hannah. She often made fun of Hannah because Hannah had no children.

Elkanah’s Love for Hannah

Even though Hannah had no children, Elkanah loved her deeply. The Bible says in 1 Samuel 1:5:

“But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb.”

This shows Elkanah was a loving husband. He cared for Hannah and wanted her to be happy. He gave her more food to show his love during the time of sacrifice and celebration.

Elkanah’s Faithfulness to God

Elkanah was a man who worshipped God. Every year, he traveled to a place called Shiloh to offer sacrifices to the Lord. This is found in 1 Samuel 1:3:

“Now this man would go up from his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh.”

This shows that Elkanah obeyed God’s law. He wanted to do what was right. He took his family with him so they could worship too.

A Family That Worshipped Together

When Elkanah went to Shiloh, he did not go alone. He took his family with him. This included his wives and children. He wanted his family to know God and worship Him. Elkanah’s actions showed he was a spiritual leader in his home.

Hannah’s Prayer and Elkanah’s Support

Hannah was very sad because she had no children. One year when they were in Shiloh, she went to the temple to pray. She asked God to give her a son. She promised to give the child back to God. Elkanah supported her. The Bible says in 1 Samuel 1:23:

“Elkanah her husband said to her, ‘Do what seems best to you. Remain until you have weaned him; only may the Lord confirm His word.'”

This shows Elkanah trusted Hannah and supported her decision. He believed in God’s plan. He encouraged Hannah to wait until Samuel was ready to live at the temple.

Elkanah and Samuel

After God answered Hannah’s prayer, she gave birth to Samuel. She named him Samuel because she asked for him from the Lord. When Samuel was old enough, Hannah took him to the temple. She gave him to the priest Eli. Samuel grew up in the house of the Lord. Elkanah visited Samuel every year. The Bible says in 1 Samuel 2:19:

“And his mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him from year to year when she would come up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.”

This tells us that Elkanah was still going to Shiloh every year. He was faithful to worship God. He also stayed close to his son Samuel.

Lessons from Elkanah’s Life

1. Be Faithful to God

Elkanah was a man who worshipped God. He followed God’s law. He took his family to worship with him. This is a good example for families today. We should worship God and teach our children about Him.

2. Be Loving in the Home

Elkanah loved his wife Hannah. Even when she had no children, he treated her kindly. He supported her and comforted her. This shows us the importance of love and kindness in the home.

3. Support Each Other’s Faith

When Hannah made a promise to God, Elkanah supported her. He believed in God’s plan and helped her keep her promise. We should also support our loved ones when they seek to serve God.

Conclusion

Samuel was a great prophet in the Bible. But behind Samuel was a faithful father named Elkanah. Elkanah was not a perfect man, but he loved God. He loved his family. He led them in worship and supported their walk with God. Through his life, we learn how important it is to lead our families with faith and love. Elkanah may not be as well known as his son Samuel, but he played an important part in God’s plan. Let us remember his story and try to live with the same faith and love in our own homes.

Who Was Samuel’s Father in the Bible?