Better than ten sons (2)

"[Hannah] told her husband, “Wait until the boy is weaned. Then I will take him to the Tabernacle and leave him there with the Lord permanently.”

“Whatever you think is best,” Elkanah agreed. “Stay here for now, and may the Lord help you keep your promise.” So she stayed home and nursed the boy until he was weaned. ...

When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh."

~ 1 Samuel 1.22-24 NLT

The Bible does not describe much about Hannah and Elkanah, but this is a powerful testimony of their characters.

Elkanah agreed to give their newborn son to the LORD, although they waited for years for him to arrive. Elkanah was true to his word that their relationship alone was "better than ten sons". And what integrity he displayed that God came first and that he honoured his wife's promise to the LORD - a promise that she made without consultation to him, which was not the norm in their culture.

And what amazing character and behaviour she would have lived out consistently that he loved her so deeply. Without a son and then when she gave the son to the LORD, her husband loved her and honoured her.

Do I live like Hannah such that I am valued by those around me like Elkanah valued Hannah?

See: Better than ten sons