Who was Elkanah in the Bible?

Elkanah was a high-ranking official in the kingdom of Judah, described as 'second to the king' (likely King Ahaz). He was killed in battle by Zichri, a warrior from the northern kingdom of Ephraim, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 28:7.

Why is Elkanah's death significant in 2 Chronicles?

His death is part of a major military defeat for Judah, illustrating God's judgment against King Ahaz for his idolatry and unfaithfulness. The loss of such a high official highlighted the severity of the crisis (2 Chronicles 28:5-9).

Is this Elkanah the same as Samuel's father?

No, this is a different Elkanah. Samuel's father was a Levite from the tribe of Ephraim who lived much earlier (1 Samuel 1:1). The Elkanah in 2 Chronicles 28:7 was a Judahite official during the reign of King Ahaz.

Elkanah

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleKing

Elkanah, the second to the king, was killed by Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, during a battle (2Ch.28.7).

Elkanah

Biography

Elkanah held the position of second to the king, possibly a high court official or viceroy, during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. His life came to a violent end during the devastating Syro-Ephraimite War (c. 735-732 BC), when the northern kingdom of Israel allied with Aram against Judah. According to 2 Chronicles 28:7, Elkanah was slain in battle by Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, during an Israelite assault that also killed the king's son Maaseiah and the palace administrator Azrikam. The catastrophic defeat recorded in that chapter included enormous casualties and the captivity of a large portion of the Judahite population. Elkanah's death as a high official underscores the severity of the judgment that fell upon Ahaz's apostate kingdom.

Significance

Elkanah's death at the hands of Zichri occurs within one of 2 Chronicles' most sobering theological accounts: the punishment of Ahaz for leading Judah into idolatry (2 Chr. 28:1-5). The fall of the king's second-in-command signals the collapse of Judah's royal administration under divine judgment. His fate illustrates the biblical principle that the leaders of a nation bear corporate responsibility for its spiritual direction, and that no office or proximity to power provides immunity from the consequences of national apostasy. His story serves as a warning that leadership carries accountability before God, and that unfaithfulness at the highest levels brings devastation upon the entire community.

Verse Appearances (1)

2Chr

2Chr 28:7

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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