When parents dedicate their beloved child entirely to the service of God, a profound quiet settles over their private home. Recognizing this deep personal sacrifice, the High Priest offers a special blessing, wishing for a large, thriving family to fill their empty house as a testament to their spiritual devotion.
This blessing was not a single occurrence; rather, every year when Elkanah and Hannah traveled to the Tabernacle, Eli would bless them again [רש״י, רד״ק]. As Eli watched young Samuel grow, he saw a child developing flawlessly, filled with the fear of heaven and ready to receive the spirit of God [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל, מלבי״ם, אלשיך]. The High Priest understood that the boy's extraordinary piety was a direct result of his mother's righteousness. Consequently, he specifically prayed that God would grant Elkanah more children from this particular woman, hoping their future offspring would be just as righteous and capable as their firstborn [רש״י, רד״ק, אברבנאל].
The blessing addresses the reality of replacing the child who was given over to God. Commentators offer two main ways to understand this exchange. The first approach views it as a practical necessity. Because the parents surrendered their son to God and were no longer raising him under their own roof, they needed other children who would stay with the family rather than the Tabernacle, keeping them company and supporting them in their old age [רד״ק, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The second approach understands this replacement as a divine reward. In exchange for the immense merit they earned by dedicating their chosen son to God, He would repay them with additional children [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. Furthermore, the blessing carries a layer of spiritual protection. Since their first child was entirely devoted to God, the blessing ensured that their future children would enjoy long lives, granted in the merit of Elkanah's careful and consistent pilgrimages to the Tabernacle [אלשיך].
Following the blessing, the couple immediately returned to Elkanah's specific hometown, as he and Hannah had originally come from different cities [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Their quick departure reflects their complete faith in the High Priest's blessing. Rather than lingering at the Tabernacle, they hurried back. Since marital relations are forbidden in temporary lodgings, they were eager to return home to fulfill the commandment to have children and bring the promised offspring into the world [מצודת דוד]. Ultimately, the very privilege of having these sons is credited to Elkanah's unwavering commitment to journeying to the place of God [אלשיך].