Now this man [Elkanah] would go up from his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD there. (1 Samuel 1:3)

The time of the judges was drawing to a close, with the last one, Samuel, occupying the swing position as the people of Israel moved into the time of the kings. The book of 1 Samuel records how this transition took place, the story beginning with a godly couple to whom Samuel was born.

Elkanah was an ardent worshiper of Yahweh Sabaoth, the LORD Almighty. Every year he would make pilgrimage to Shiloh, where the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant were kept. There he meticulously offered sacrifices to God. His wife Hannah was childless and was provoked bitterly by Elkanah’s other wife (this was during a time when God overlooked having multiple wives). Elkanah tried to compensate Hannah by giving her a double portion of the sacrificial food. His response, we might think somewhat arrogantly today, was this: “Hannah, why do you weep and why do you not eat and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” (1 Sam 1:8). Giving him the best possible benefit of the doubt, though, what he seemed to be saying is, “You, Hannah, are my favorite wife, and have more of me than my other wife.”

However, Hannah continued to be deeply distressed and wept bitterly. In praying to God, she addressed Him, “O LORD of Hosts [Almighty].” She bargained with God that if He gave her a son, she would dedicate that son to God as a Nazarite, one who would be dedicated to God entirely (1 Sam 1:11). She prayed so emotionally that the high priest, Eli, thought she was drunk. But eventually he began to understand and sent her away in peace.

We see similar name combinations elsewhere in Scripture: “Yahweh Elohim Sabaoth” and “Elohim Sabaoth.” In one regard, they could be viewed simply as stylistic variety, and that may be so. But their particular use brings insight into the passages in which they occur. First, we see that Elkanah and Hannah are worshipers of Yahweh, the personal God of Israel, not a generic god like the pagans worship. Even in the spiritually dark time of the judges (see the Book of Judges) there were still those who worshiped Yahweh, carrying on faithfully in the worship patterns He had given to Moses. Second, Elkanah and Hannah knew Him as the God of Hosts (which can also be rendered “Almighty”). He has at His disposal all the angelic forces and every power on earth. Who better to pray to for a supernatural pregnancy than Yahweh Sabaoth?

Lord, in whatever circumstance I find myself, I have complete confidence that You lack no resource in meeting my need, because You are Yahweh Sabaoth.