1 Samuel 1:8
Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons? Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
Hannah was grieving because she had no children while enduring taunts for her childlessness. Elkanah met her grief by asking why she was weeping and why she was not eating and why her heart was grieved. His practice of giving her a double portion expressed his affection for her.
He tried to comfort her with the assurance of his continuing love, asking whether he himself was not better and dearer to her than ten sons. Though he cared for her, he did not fully understand the cause and depth of her sorrow. His words did not remove her sorrow, so she went on to seek comfort from God.