Elkanah and Hannah were blessed with a son in answer to Hannah’s prayers. When we read the story in the first two chapters of 1 Samuel, we usually focus on Hannah. But Elkanah is described as a man who faithfully traveled to the tabernacle in Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:3). He loved Hannah (1:5) and sought to comfort and encourage her (1:8). And the day came when Elkanah and Hannah took their son, Samuel, and dedicated him to God’s service in Shiloh. Samuel became a champion for his people and a hero in the Bible.

It's important to dedicate our children to the Lord. Some people do that in a public worship service. It’s done in various ways in different churches and denominations. But the central truth is that God blesses a child whose dad is devoted to the Lord and gives Him all he has, including his children.

Elkanah’s home wasn’t perfect (1 Samuel 1:1-6), but Elkanah served a perfect God. When we ask the Lord to have His way with our youngsters, they will be blessed.

God is the one who gives children; they belong to Him.
Coty Pinckney