07.03.05 Elkanah and Hannah's Languages of Love A Biblical Revelation

Elkanah and Hannah’s Languages of Love – A Biblical Revelation 

In chapters one and two of the first book of Samuel, the story of Elkanah and Hannah offers a rich narrative of the power of love languages.

Elkanah had two wives, the first one Peninnah and the second Hannah. The man’s love for his family was expressed consistently through various acts of service, with the highest priority being to ensure that they honoured and worshipped Jehovah. For instance, Elkanah would faithfully lead his household in yearly worship at Shiloh. Second, the man made sure that each member of his family was provided for.

However, despite the flair that comes with a well-organised family, Hannah carried the sorrow of barrenness. Though she was deeply reverent to God, her grief left her exposed, especially in a culture where motherhood was highly esteemed and barrenness ridiculed and frowned upon. To make matters worse, her co-wife Peninnah, who bore children, would persistently provoke Hannah to the extent of making life almost unbearable. What added salt to injury was Hannah's primary language: ‘words of affirmation’. And, because words mattered deeply to her, these provocations would cut so deep that year after year, Hannah would weep, withdraw from food and struggle to compose herself amidst the pilgrimages and festivities such as those held at Shiloh.

Fortunately, Hannah’s husband really loved the woman to the extent of studying her love language. Initially, Elkanah did not get that quite correct, thinking that ‘gifts’ would express his love for her as outlined in 1 Samuel 1:5 which reads: "But to Hannah he would give a double portion because he loved her and the Lord had closed her womb." But as time went by, the man discovered that Hannah’s love language was ‘words of affirmation’. Her deepest comfort came not from provision alone but from words spoken with intention. That is how Elkanah managed to soothe the woman’s grief by saying: "Why are you weeping? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?" (1 Samuel 1:8, NIV). In this way, his consistent words of affirmation provided Hannah with comfort and reassurance through her painful years of waiting, accentuated by Peninnah's verbal abuse. Although Elkanah’s words did not change Hannah’s circumstances, they sustained her emotionally.

Words are powerful. They generate faith and, indeed, it was divine words that God used to deliver Hannah’s miracle. One day, she decided to pray in deep anguish, weeping bitterly. The tearful but determined woman made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life and no razor will ever be used on his head” (1 Samuel 1:11, NIV). It was during that prayer that Eli, the priest, observed her mouth, thinking she was drunk. But Hannah was quick to explain her predicament. Then, the priest spoke ‘words of affirmation’, saying, “Go in peace and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him” (1 Samuel 1:17, NIV). Those ‘words of affirmation’ ushered in her miracle. In the course of time, Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

Samuel was one of the greatest prophets who ever lived. He was the last of Israel’s judges last of the judges, a renowned prophet, a priest, and a ‘king-maker who established the monarchy, beginning with Saul.