Then Elkanah and all his house
Elkanah, a Levite from the hill country of Ephraim, is depicted as a devout man who leads his family in worship. The phrase "all his house" indicates the inclusion of his wives, children, and possibly servants, reflecting the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society. This communal aspect of worship underscores the importance of family unity in religious observance, as seen in other biblical narratives such as Joshua 24:15, where Joshua declares, "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

went up to make the annual sacrifice to the LORD
The act of going "up" refers to the geographical ascent to Shiloh, where the tabernacle was located. This pilgrimage was part of the Israelites' religious duty, as prescribed in Deuteronomy 16:16, which required males to appear before the LORD three times a year. The "annual sacrifice" likely refers to the Feast of Tabernacles, Passover, or the Feast of Weeks, which were times of communal worship and celebration. This practice highlights the centrality of sacrificial worship in maintaining the covenant relationship with God.

and to fulfill his vow
Vows were solemn promises made to God, often in times of distress or need, as seen in Numbers 30:2. Elkanah's vow may have been related to his prayer for a child, as vows were commonly associated with requests for divine intervention. The fulfillment of vows was a serious obligation, reflecting one's faithfulness and integrity before God. This act of fulfilling a vow also prefigures the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ, who is the "yes" and "amen" of all God's promises (2 Corinthians 1:20).

1. Elkanah
A devout man from the hill country of Ephraim, Elkanah is the husband of Hannah and Peninnah. He is portrayed as a faithful worshiper of God, making annual pilgrimages to Shiloh to offer sacrifices.

2. Hannah
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Hannah is a central figure in the surrounding account. She is Elkanah's wife, who was initially barren but later blessed with a son, Samuel, after fervent prayer.

3. Shiloh
The religious center where the tabernacle was located during this period. It is the place where Elkanah and his family went to offer sacrifices to the LORD.

4. Annual Sacrifice
This refers to the yearly pilgrimage and offering made by Israelites, as prescribed in the Law of Moses, to worship and honor God.

5. Vow
This likely refers to a specific promise made to God, possibly related to Hannah's vow concerning her son Samuel, which Elkanah supports and fulfills.Faithfulness in Worship
Elkanah's commitment to annual sacrifices demonstrates the importance of regular, faithful worship. As believers, we are called to prioritize our relationship with God through consistent worship and devotion.

The Importance of Vows
Making and fulfilling vows to God is a serious matter. We should be cautious and sincere in our commitments to God, ensuring that we follow through on our promises.

Family Leadership in Spiritual Matters
Elkanah leads his household in worship, setting an example of spiritual leadership. Families today can learn from his example by prioritizing spiritual activities and guiding their families in faith.

Community Worship
The practice of going to Shiloh for worship highlights the value of communal worship. Gathering with other believers strengthens our faith and encourages us in our walk with God.(21) And his vow.--Elkanah too had vowed a vow unto the Lord, in case his wife Hannah should have a son. It has been remarked that vows are characteristic of that particular age of the Judges; for instance, we have detailed accounts of Samson and Jephthan's vows, the oath in the Benjamite vow, &c.

Verse 21. - Elkanah... went up. When at the return of the year Elkanah went up as usual to Shiloh, Hannah remained at home, purposing to wait there till her son was old enough to be given to the Lord. This followed soon after his weaning, which in the East is delayed much longer than with us. In 2 Macc. 7:27 we find three years mentioned as the usual period of lactation, but the chief Jewish authorities make the time one year shorter. At three years old a child in the East would cease to be troublesome; but besides this, there was an order of women attached to the sanctuary (see on 1 Samuel 2:22), and probably regulations for the training of children devoted to the temple service. The yearly sacrifice, lit. "sacrifice of days," would include among its duties the carrying to Shiloh of the tithes which were to be consumed before the Lord (Deuteronomy 12:17, 18), and the payment of those portions of the produce which belonged to Jehovah and the priests, and had become due during the year. His vow shows that Elkanah had ratified Hannah's words, by adding thereto a thank-offering from himself. At Shiloh Samuel was to abide forever; his dedication was to be for his whole life. And when Elkanah prays, Only the Lord establish his word, it is evident that he and Hannah expected that a child born under such special circumstances would, like so many children of mothers long barren, be intended for some extraordinary work. The word of Jehovah referred to is that spoken by Eli in ver. 17, which contained not merely the assurance of the birth of a son, but a general confirmation and approval of all that Hannah had prayed for. In ver. 24 the Septuagint reads, "a bullock of three years old," probably on account of the one bullock mentioned in ver. 25; but as three-tenths of an ephah of flour formed the appointed meat offering for one bullock (Numbers 15:8-10), the mention of a whole ephah confirms the reading three bullocks. Probably the one bullock in ver. 25 was the special burnt offering accompanying the solemn dedication of Samuel to Jehovah's service, while the other two were for Elkanah's usual yearly sacrifice, and the thank offering which he had vowed. At the end of the verse the Hebrews reads, "And the child was a child," the word in both places being na'ar, which may mean anything up to fifteen years of age. The child really was about three years old, and the Sept. is probably right in reading, "And the child was with them." Both the Vulgate, however, and the Syriac agree with the Hebrew.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Then Elkanah
אֶלְקָנָ֖ה (’el·qā·nāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 511: Elkanah -- 'God has created', the name of several Israelites

and all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

his house
בֵּית֑וֹ (bê·ṯōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

went up
וַיַּ֛עַל (way·ya·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to make
לִזְבֹּ֧חַ (liz·bō·aḥ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice

the annual
הַיָּמִ֖ים (hay·yā·mîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

sacrifice
זֶ֥בַח (ze·ḇaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2077: A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice

to the LORD
לַֽיהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and [to fulfill]
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

his vow,
נִדְרֽוֹ׃ (niḏ·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5088: A promise, a thing promised


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OT History: 1 Samuel 1:21 The man Elkanah and all his house (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)