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◄ 1 Samuel 1:23►

New International Version
“Do what seems best to you,” her husband Elkanah told her. “Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the LORD make good his word.” So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him.

New Living Translation
“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.

English Standard Version
Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the LORD establish his word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him.

Berean Standard Bible
“Do what you think is best,” her husband Elkanah replied, “and stay here until you have weaned him. Only may the LORD confirm His word.” So Hannah stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
So Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him. Only let the LORD establish His word.” Then the woman stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him.

New American Standard Bible
Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you. Stay until you have weaned him; only may the LORD confirm His word.” So the woman stayed and nursed her son until she weaned him.

NASB 1995
Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you. Remain until you have weaned him; only may the LORD confirm His word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him.

NASB 1977
And Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you. Remain until you have weaned him; only may the LORD confirm His word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what is good in your eyes. Remain until you have weaned him; only may Yahweh establish His word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him.

Amplified Bible
Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you. Wait until you have weaned him; only may the LORD establishand confirm His word.” So the woman remained [behind] and nursed her son until she weaned him.

Christian Standard Bible
Her husband, Elkanah, replied, “Do what you think is best, and stay here until you’ve weaned him. May the LORD confirm your word.” So Hannah stayed there and nursed her son until she weaned him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Her husband Elkanah replied, “Do what you think is best, and stay here until you’ve weaned him. May the LORD confirm your word.” So Hannah stayed there and nursed her son until she weaned him.

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

Contemporary English Version
"You know what's best," Elkanah said. "Stay here until it's time to stop nursing him. I'm sure the LORD will help you do what you have promised." Hannah did not go to Shiloh until she stopped nursing Samuel.

English Revised Version
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 tarried and gave her son suck, until she weaned him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Do what you think is best," her husband Elkanah told her. "Wait until you've weaned him. May the LORD keep his word." The woman stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him.

Good News Translation
Elkanah answered, "All right, do whatever you think best; stay at home until you have weaned him. And may the LORD make your promise come true." So Hannah stayed at home and nursed her child.

International Standard Version
"Do what you want," Elkanah told her. "Stay until you have weaned him, only may the LORD bring about what you've said." So Hannah stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him.

NET Bible
So her husband Elkanah said to her, "Do what you think best. Stay until you have weaned him. May the LORD fulfill his promise." So the woman stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him.

New Heart English Bible
And Elkanah her husband said to her, "Do what seems good in your eyes. Wait until you have weaned him; only may the LORD establish what you have said." So the woman waited and nursed her son, until she weaned him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Elkanah her husband said to her, Do what seemeth to thee good; tarry until thou hast weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and nursed her son until she weaned him.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
“Do what you think is best,” her husband Elkanah replied, “and stay here until you have weaned him. Only may the LORD confirm His word.” So Hannah stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him.

World English Bible
Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems good to you. Wait until you have weaned him; only may Yahweh establish his word.” So the woman waited and nursed her son until she weaned him.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And her husband Elkanah says to her, “Do that which is good in your eyes; abide until your weaning him; only, let YHWH establish His word”; and the woman abides and suckles her son until she has weaned him,

Young's Literal Translation
And Elkanah her husband saith to her, 'Do that which is good in thine eyes; abide till thy weaning him; only, Jehovah establish His word;' and the woman abideth and suckleth her son till she hath weaned him,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Elkanah her husband will say to her, Do the good in thine eyes; sit till thy weaning him; but Jehovah will raise up his word. And the woman will sit and suckle her son till her weaning him.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Elcana her husband said to her: Do what seemeth good to thee, and stay till thou wean him: and I pray that the Lord may fulfil his word. So the woman stayed at home, and gave her son suck, till she weaned him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And her husband Elkanah said to her: “Do what seems good to you, and stay until you wean him. And I pray that the Lord may fulfill his word.” Therefore, the woman remained at home, and she breastfed her son, until she withdrew him from milk.

New American Bible
Her husband Elkanah answered her: “Do what you think best; wait until you have weaned him. Only may the LORD fulfill his word!” And so she remained at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him.

New Revised Standard Version
Her husband Elkanah said to her, “Do what seems best to you, wait until you have weaned him; only—may the LORD establish his word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son, until she weaned him.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And Hilkanah her husband said to her, Do what seems good to you; wait until you have weaned him; may the LORD establish your word. So the woman waited, and nursed her son until she weaned him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Halqanah her husband said to her: “Do according to what is excellent in your eyes. Remain until you will wean him, however may LORD JEHOVAH establish your word.” And the woman stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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 tarried and gave her son suck, until she weaned him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Helkana her husband said to her, Do that which is good in thine eyes, abide still until thou shalt have weaned him; but may the Lord establish that which comes out of thy mouth: and the woman tarried, and suckled her son until she had weaned him.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Birth of Samuel
…22but Hannah did not go. “After the boy is weaned,” she said to her husband, “I will take him to appear before the LORD and to stay there permanently.”23“Do what you think is best,”her husband Elkanah replied,“and stay here until you have weaned him.Only may the LORD confirm His word.”So Hannah stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him.24Once she had weaned him, Hannah took the boy with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. Though the boy was still young, she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Genesis 21:1-2
Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised.

Genesis 18:14
Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”

Judges 13:12-14
Then Manoah asked, “When your words come to pass, what will be the boy’s rule of life and mission?” / So the angel of the LORD answered Manoah, “Your wife is to do everything I told her. / She must not eat anything that comes from the vine, nor drink any wine or strong drink, nor eat anything unclean. She must do everything I have commanded her.”

Luke 1:13-14
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. / He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,

Luke 1:24-25
After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared, / “The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

Genesis 30:22-24
Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb, / and she conceived and gave birth to a son. “God has taken away my shame,” she said. / She named him Joseph, and said, “May the LORD add to me another son.”

2 Kings 4:16-17
And Elisha declared, “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord,” she said. “Do not lie to your maidservant, O man of God.” / But the woman did conceive, and at that time the next year she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.

Hebrews 11:11
By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised.

Genesis 17:19
But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.

Genesis 25:21
Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.

Luke 2:39-40
When Jesus’ parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. / And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.

Genesis 29:31
When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.

Matthew 1:24-25
When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and embraced Mary as his wife. / But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a Son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.

Genesis 16:11
The angel of the LORD proceeded: “Behold, you have conceived and will bear a son. And you shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your cry of affliction.

Luke 1:57-58
When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. / Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.

Treasury of Scripture

And Elkanah her husband said to her, Do what seems you good; tarry until you have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman stayed, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

Do what

Numbers 30:7-11
And her husband heardit, and held his peace at her in the day that he heardit: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand…

the Lord

2 Samuel 7:25
And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establishit for ever, and do as thou hast said.

Isaiah 44:26
That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:

son suck

Genesis 21:7,8
And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have bornhim a son in his old age…

Psalm 22:9
But thouart he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hopewhen I was upon my mother's breasts.

Matthew 24:19
And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

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Abide Abode Best Elkanah Enough Establish Eyes Husband Milk Nursed Right Seemeth Seems Sight Suck Tarried Tarry Wait Waited Waiting Weaned Whatever Word

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Abide Abode Best Elkanah Enough Establish Eyes Husband Milk Nursed Right Seemeth Seems Sight Suck Tarried Tarry Wait Waited Waiting Weaned Whatever Word

1 Samuel 1

1.Elkanah, a Levite, having two wives, worships yearly at Shiloh
4.He cherishes Hannah, though barren, and provoked by Peninnah
9.Hannah in grief prays for a child
12.Eli first rebuking her, afterwards blesses her
19.Hannah, having born Samuel, stays at home till he is weaned
24.She presents him, according to her vow, to the Lord

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

“Do what you think is best,” her husband Elkanah replied,
Elkanah's response to Hannah reflects a supportive and understanding marital relationship, which was significant in the cultural context of ancient Israel. In a patriarchal society, a husband's approval was crucial for a wife's decisions. Elkanah's trust in Hannah's judgment highlights the mutual respect in their relationship. This phrase also underscores the importance of discernment and wisdom in decision-making, a theme echoed inProverbs 3:5-6, where believers are encouraged to trust in the Lord and lean not on their own understanding.

“and stay here until you have weaned him.”
In ancient Israel, weaning typically occurred around the age of three, a practice supported by archaeological findings and historical records. This period was crucial for the child's development and survival, as infant mortality rates were high. The decision to stay and wean Samuel indicates the importance of maternal care and the nurturing role of mothers, which is a recurring theme in Scripture, as seen inIsaiah 49:15, where God's care is compared to that of a nursing mother.

“Only may the LORD confirm His word.”
This phrase reflects a deep reliance on God's promises and faithfulness. The reference to "His word" likely pertains to the vow Hannah made to dedicate Samuel to the Lord's service (1 Samuel 1:11). It underscores the belief in divine sovereignty and the fulfillment of God's promises, a theme prevalent throughout the Bible, such as inNumbers 23:19, which emphasizes that God does not lie or change His mind. This reliance on God's word is a precursor to the New Testament understanding of Jesus as the Word made flesh (John 1:14).

So Hannah stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him.
Hannah's obedience and dedication to her vow demonstrate her faithfulness and commitment to God. Her actions are a testament to the importance of fulfilling one's promises to the Lord, a principle that is echoed inEcclesiastes 5:4-5, which warns against making vows and not fulfilling them. Hannah's nurturing of Samuel until he was weaned also foreshadows the significant role Samuel would play as a prophet and leader in Israel, anointing the first two kings, Saul and David, and serving as a type of Christ in his role as a mediator between God and the people.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Hannah
A devout woman who prayed earnestly for a child and vowed to dedicate him to the Lord. Her faith and dedication are central to this passage.

2.Elkanah
Hannah's husband, who supports her decision to fulfill her vow to the Lord. His response shows his trust in Hannah's judgment and in God's plan.

3.Samuel
The child born to Hannah, who would become a significant prophet and leader in Israel. His early life is marked by his mother's dedication to God.

4.Weaning
The cultural practice of nurturing a child until they are ready to be more independent. In ancient Israel, this could be around three years of age.

5.The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is central to the fulfillment of Hannah's vow and the unfolding of His plan for Israel through Samuel.

Teaching Points

Faithful Fulfillment of Vows
Hannah's commitment to her vow teaches us the importance of keeping promises made to God, even when they require personal sacrifice.

Supportive Relationships
Elkanah's support of Hannah's decision highlights the importance of mutual respect and encouragement in marriage, especially in spiritual matters.

Trust in God's Timing
The process of weaning and waiting for the right time to fulfill her vow shows Hannah's trust in God's timing, encouraging us to be patient and faithful.

Parental Dedication
Hannah's dedication of Samuel to the Lord serves as a model for parents to dedicate their children to God's service, praying for their spiritual growth and guidance.

God's Sovereignty
Elkanah's statement, "Only may the LORD confirm His word," reminds us of God's sovereignty and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 1:23?

2.How does 1 Samuel 1:23 demonstrate obedience to God's will in family life?

3.What role does trust in God play in Elkanah's decision in 1 Samuel 1:23?

4.How can we apply Elkanah's support of Hannah to our own relationships?

5.How does 1 Samuel 1:23 connect to honoring commitments made to God?

6.What lessons on faithfulness can we learn from Elkanah's actions in this verse?

7.What does 1 Samuel 1:23 reveal about the role of women in biblical times?

8.How does 1 Samuel 1:23 reflect the cultural norms of ancient Israel?

9.What theological implications arise from Elkanah's response in 1 Samuel 1:23?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 1?

11.Why does the list of David's mighty men in 1 Chronicles 11 differ from similar lists in other biblical passages like 2 Samuel 23, and can both be historically accurate?

12.Who was Elkanah in the Bible?

13.Does Saul's abrupt departure to confront the Philistines (1 Samuel 23:27-28) accurately reflect known Philistine incursions, or is it merely a narrative device?

14.How can Hannah's sudden pregnancy in 1 Samuel 1:5, 20 be explained given her long-term infertility?

What Does 1 Samuel 1:23 Mean

Do what you think is best

• Elkanah’s response shows loving leadership that respects Hannah’s God-given conviction (Numbers 30:6-8;Ephesians 5:25;1 Peter 3:7).

• He is not abdicating responsibility; rather, he discerns that Hannah’s vow (1 Samuel 1:11) aligns with God’s purpose and therefore grants her freedom to carry it out.

• Marital unity emerges when both husband and wife seek God’s will together (Colossians 3:17).

…and stay here until you have weaned him

• Practical wisdom joins spiritual commitment.

– Weaning in ancient Israel often took about three years (Genesis 21:8), giving the child physical strength and the mother time to prepare her heart.

– By withholding Samuel from the annual pilgrimage until he is ready, Hannah protects the vow’s integrity without endangering the boy.

• Parental stewardship includes meeting a child’s basic needs before public ministry or service (Proverbs 22:6;1 Thessalonians 2:7).

Only may the LORD confirm His word

• Elkanah appeals to the God who never fails to fulfill what He has spoken (Psalm 119:89;Isaiah 55:10-11).

• “His word” recalls the personal promise embedded in Hannah’s prayer and the broader covenant faithfulness of God (Luke 1:45).

• The couple’s confidence rests not in their own resolve but in the Lord’s unchanging character (Hebrews 10:23).

So Hannah stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him

• Hannah acts promptly on the permission given, demonstrating obedience paired with patience (James 1:4).

• Her nurture is intentional:

– Physical care—feeding, protection, bonding (Psalm 22:9-10).

– Spiritual formation—singing praises, telling of God’s goodness (Deuteronomy 6:6-7;2 Timothy 1:5).

• Faithfulness in hidden, everyday moments lays the groundwork for public impact. Samuel will later hear God’s voice in the tabernacle (1 Samuel 3:10), but his first teacher is his mother at home.

summary

1 Samuel 1:23 portrays a marriage aligned under God, where mutual trust and obedience transform a private vow into a public blessing. Elkanah honors Hannah’s resolve, Hannah nurtures Samuel with purpose, and both rest in the certainty that the Lord Himself will confirm His word.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23)Only the Lord establish his word.--No special word or promise of the Eternal in the case of the infant Samuel is recorded in this history; but there was an ancient Rabbinical tradition that a direct revelation respecting the future destiny of Samuel was made. "The Bath-kol (Daughter of the Voice) went forth, saying, There shall arise a just one, whose name shall be Samuel. Then every mother who bore a son called him Samuel; but when they saw his actions, they said, This is not Samuel. But when this one was born, they said, This is that Samuel, and this is what the Scripture means when it says, 'The Lord confirmed his word that Samuel may be that just one.'"--Rashi.

If we decline to accept the Rabbinical tradition, Bunsen's simple comment will explain the difficult words of the text, "establish his word": that is, may the Lord fulfil what He designs with him, and has promised by his birth.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

“Do
עֲשִׂ֧י(‘ă·śî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, make

what you think
בְּעֵינַ֗יִךְ(bə·‘ê·na·yiḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5869:An eye, a fountain

is best,”
הַטּ֣וֹב(haṭ·ṭō·wḇ)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896:Pleasant, agreeable, good

her husband
אִישָׁ֜הּ(’î·šāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male person

Elkanah
אֶלְקָנָ֨ה(’el·qā·nāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 511:Elkanah -- 'God has created', the name of several Israelites

replied,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר(way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say

“and stay
שְׁבִי֙(šə·ḇî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 3427:To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

here until
עַד־(‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704:As far as, even to, up to, until, while

you have weaned him.
גָּמְלֵ֣ךְ(gā·mə·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1580:To deal fully or adequately with, deal out to, wean, ripen

Only
אַ֛ךְ(’aḵ)
Adverb
Strong's 389:A particle of affirmation, surely

may the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

confirm
יָקֵ֥ם(yā·qêm)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965:To arise, stand up, stand

His word.”
דְּבָר֑וֹ(də·ḇā·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a cause

So Hannah
הָֽאִשָּׁה֙(hā·’iš·šāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802:Woman, wife, female

stayed
וַתֵּ֤שֶׁב(wat·tê·šeḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3427:To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

and nursed
וַתֵּ֣ינֶק(wat·tê·neq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3243:To suck, to give milk

her son
בְּנָ֔הּ(bə·nāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1121:A son

until
עַד־(‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704:As far as, even to, up to, until, while

she had weaned
גָּמְלָ֖הּ(ḡā·mə·lāh)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1580:To deal fully or adequately with, deal out to, wean, ripen

him.
אֹתֽוֹ׃(’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

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OT History: 1 Samuel 1:23 Elkanah her husband said to her Do (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)