Elkanah's Error

This evening at Bible study for New Georgia Baptist Church, Mike Ross brought the lesson from 1 Samuel 1:1-19. In part of the lesson, Mike showed the contrast between the four historical figures that are focused upon in this text (after the initial genealogy): Elkanah, Eli, Peninnah, and Hannah. Somehow, though I'd realized that Eli was undiscerning and (of course) Peninnah was playing the role of a persecutor, I had always thought of Elkanah as a basically exemplary person, along with Hannah. Mike pointed out that Elkanah, like Eli and Peninnah, is contrasted with Hannah in the text. When Hannah was grieving her lack of child-bearing, Elkanah tried to deal with the problem in his own power, giving Hannah a double portion and speaking words meant to comfort her, but Elkanah's efforts only provoked Peninnah to jealousy, worsening Hannah's situation. What Elkanah should have done is what Hannah, in fact, did: Elkanah should have poured out his heart to the LORD, bringing His family's troubles to Him. Furthermore, as the head of the household, Elkanah should have led Hannah and Peninnah into reconciliation, seeking the LORD as a family.

This portion of Mike's message was convicting to me personally as I, like Elkanah, can often seek to solve my problems in my own power, and I am not consistent in leading Abby in praying as a couple.