(story told in 1 Samuel 1-2)
Elkanah was a man from the hill country of Ephraim who had two wives—Hannah and Peninnah. Though Elkanah loved Hannah deeply, she was unable to have children, while Peninnah had several sons and daughters. This difference created tension in the family. Each year, Elkanah took his family to the house of the Lord in Shiloh to offer sacrifices, showing his faithfulness to God. But during these visits, family pain often surfaced.
Peninnah used Hannah’s barrenness to mock and provoke her, making her feel even more sorrowful. Though Elkanah tried to comfort Hannah by giving her extra portions of the sacrifice and expressing his love, she still felt the weight of her disappointment. Her inability to have children left her heartbroken, and Peninnah’s harsh words made it worse.
In her deep sadness, Hannah turned to God in prayer. She wept bitterly and promised that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him to serve the Lord for his whole life. God heard her cry and blessed her with a son named Samuel. True to her word, Hannah later brought Samuel to the temple to serve under the priest Eli.
While Peninnah fades from the story, Elkanah continued to support Hannah’s devotion and faith. Together, they honored God by keeping their promises and trusting His plan.
The story of Elkanah and Peninnah reminds us that family struggles can test our faith, but turning to God brings hope and healing. Even when life feels unfair or painful, God sees our hearts and answers in His perfect time—just as He did for Hannah and her family.