1 Samuel 1:3

Went up. Since he lived perhaps only 12 mi. (19 km.) from the tabernacle in Shiloh, it was natural for Elkanah, a Levite, to be regular in his attendance at the three feasts of the year (see on Ex. 23:14-17; Lev. 23:2), and especially at the first and most important one, the Passover, in the early spring. This feast, typifying the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, also pointed their hearts forward to the great antitypical Passover Lamb, Jesus, who through His great sacrifice provided the way for man’s redemption from the house of spiritual bondage (1 Cor. 5:7). Although his services were not required at the sanctuary, yet, like many another Levite during the period of the judges (Judges 17:8, 9), Elkanah went up as a common Israelite with his own sacrifices to encourage his neighbors and set them a good example. Though he lived in the midst of an evil environment, his spirituality was evidently at a high level. Even though Hophni and Phinehas were corrupt, Elkanah was faithful in his worship and in the offering of his sacrifices. This was also true of Anna and Simeon in the days of Christ (Luke 2:25-38). The same should be true in modern times. One’s allegiance to Christ is not to be dependent on the works of others.

Sons of Eli. Even at this early date nepotism — favoritism to one’s relatives in making appointments to office — had taken a firm hold on Israel. While the specter of unemployment faced the Levites scattered in every tribe, three members of Eli’s family — the father and two sons — secured a living, irrespective of the fact that two of them were not morally qualified for the office. Such a miscarriage of justice is always a contributing factor to discontent and revolution.