And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

1 SAMUEL 1:23KJV
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1 Samuel 1:23 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 1:23 mean?

1 Samuel 1:23 shows Elkanah telling his wife Hannah to do what she thinks is best regarding their son Samuel, specifically to wait until she has finished weaning him before bringing him to the house of the LORD, while also expressing a hope that God will fulfill His promise. Hannah then stays home and continues nursing Samuel until he is weaned.

In this verse, Elkanah is speaking to Hannah after she has expressed her desire to dedicate Samuel to the LORD once he is weaned. Elkanah supports her decision, trusting her judgment ("do what seemeth thee good") and also expressing faith that the LORD (יהוה, Yahweh) will "establish his word," meaning God will keep His promise about Samuel. The verse highlights the trust and cooperation between Hannah and Elkanah, as well as their faith in God's faithfulness.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 1:23

  • "Establish" (קוּם, qum): This word means to stand, arise, or confirm. Elkanah's use of it ("the LORD establish his word") points to his hope that God will firmly bring about what He has said concerning Samuel, showing faith in God's reliability.
  • "Word" (דָּבָר, davar): Here, "word" refers to a specific promise or message from God. Elkanah is likely referring to the assurance Hannah received about having a son, hoping that God's promise will be fully realized.

Why 1 Samuel 1:23 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Hannah's decision to delay bringing Samuel to the tabernacle was not out of reluctance, but careful planning and faithfulness to her vow, with her husband's full support.
  • Elkanah's words show a balance of personal responsibility ("do what seemeth thee good") and trust in God's action ("the LORD establish his word"), highlighting both human choice and divine faithfulness.
  • The verse connects to the larger story by showing the careful and prayerful way Samuel's parents approach dedicating him to God, setting the stage for Samuel's significant role in Israel's history.

Where else these words appear

“Elkanah” Hebrew H511 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 6:24 And the sons of Korah; Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph: these are the families of the Korhites.
  • 1 Samuel 2:11 And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:34 The son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,

“suck” Hebrew H3243 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 21:7 And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.
  • Deuteronomy 33:19 They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.
  • Isaiah 11:8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.

“weaned” Hebrew H1580 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 21:8 And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
  • 1 Kings 11:20 And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh's household among the sons of Pharaoh.
  • Psalms 142:7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.