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1 Chronicles 6:26 meaning

The genealogical listing of Elkanah’s sons in 1 Chronicles 6:26 underscores God’s faithfulness, as each name is part of His grand design.

Elkanah had sons: Amasai and Ahimoth. (v.26) This verse appears as part of a longer genealogical record that traces the lineage of Levi. Genealogies in 1 Chronicles 6 serve to demonstrate the continuity of God’s work through the Levites—those commissioned to oversee Israel’s worship and care for the tabernacle, and later the temple. By listing names such as Elkanah and his descendants Amasai and Ahimoth, Scripture provides Israel (and us) with an unbroken line of faithful servants in the house of the Lord. These verses offer a snapshot of how each family member anchored the covenant community throughout successive generations.

Elkanah is most famously known as the father or ancestor of the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1-2), living around the 11th century BC. Samuel’s ministry of leading Israel and anointing Israel’s first two kings became a pivotal moment in Israel’s history. In this chapter of Chronicles, however, the focus remains on the priestly and Levitical responsibilities, highlighting that each member of Levi’s lineage had a special role to play in maintaining true worship, teaching the Law, and tending to sacrifices and sacred duties. Even what might appear to be a minor detail—Elkanah had sons: Amasai and Ahimoth. (v.26)—reminds us that every person recorded in God’s Word is part of His unfolding plan.

Moreover, the genealogies of 1 Chronicles, including this mention of Elkanah’s family, stand as a testament to God’s steadfast covenant. Generations later, the continuity of Levi’s line would prove essential for the temple rituals in Jerusalem years after Israel’s return from exile. In a broad scriptural context, such records ultimately point forward to the greater plan of redemption through Jesus, whose lineage is also carefully recorded (Matthew 1; Luke 3:23-38). These carefully preserved names remind us that God meticulously weaves individuals into His story.

1 Chronicles 6:26