That is, “May the plan of the Lord for Samuel come to pass” God had already acknowledged His part in the fulfillment of Hannah’s prayer and vow.

Elkanah believed

 (1) that God had indeed spoken by Eli (v. 17);

 (2) that Samuel’s birth confirmed the divine origin of Eli’s promise (v. 20); and

 (3) that the promise would be completely fulfilled in Samuel’s life of ministry.

 Much depends upon the cooperation of husband and wife in the Christian home. Elkanah was deeply touched by the consecration of his wife and heartily joined her in her desire. He is an excellent example of Paul’s admonition, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Eph. 5:25). He assumed responsibility for her vow and associated himself most intimately with it, yet recognized her freedom of choice and desired that her choice of consecration to God meet with success. His attitude illustrates the desire in the heart of Christ to work with each man in such a way as to enable him to express his own individuality, and thereby reveal to the universe the prismatic beauty of the divine character.

 Elkanah consented to the vow of his wife (Num. 30:6, 7), and according to 1 Sam. 1:21, made it his own (see on Num. 30:6).