‘First learn to live with two tigresses, and then expect to live happily with two wives.’ C.H. Spurgeon quoting a wise man’s advice to the Sultan.
This week I’ll place the spotlight on Hannah, the barren wife of Elkanah. Please read 1 Samuel chapters 1 & 2.
It’s our privilege to live in this age with modern medical approaches to infertility. These eliminate the need to invite another wife into a marriage to bear children (besides, it’s illegal in Australia), unlike Elkanah, who took on a second wife, Peninnah.
Hannah traveled with Elkanah and Peninnah from their home in Ramathaim up to the religious centre of Israel. It was an annual trip for the family to worship the Lord at the tabernacle in Shiloh.
Let us reimagine aspects of their story that highlight the conflict between the two wives of Elkanah. Although polygamy was tolerated in the Old Testament, it was a source of pain, suffering and sin.
***
Hannah was determined that Peninnah wouldn’t get the best of her this year. Oh no. Hannah would build a stone wall around her heart so Peninnah couldn’t hurt her any longer.
Her husband had left just before sunrise to sacrifice the lamb for the fellowship offering.
Since then, she’d drawn water from the well, swept out the tent, cleaned and sliced a pile of radish and carrots, and cooked enough red lentils to feed a small army. She now occupied herself with laying out the bowls and side dishes for their celebratory meal.
Her ears filled with the voices of Peninnah’s sons playing mock hunting games, just outside the tent walls. Their laughter would often make her smile, but today she hardened her lips and pressed them tight against each other.
She heard the thwack of the tent flap fly open behind her. A cold shiver raced up her spine. Hannah slowly turned on her heel.
By the entrance, Peninnah loomed with her youngest, grasping for her bosom, and two-year old Miriam clutching by the folds of her tunic. The baby continued sniffing around Peninnah’s chest, fussing in heavy snorts that eventually worked up to red-faced howl.
‘For the love of all that’s holy, Hannah make yourself useful and at least take Miriam away. You know what it’s like to have little ones grabbing you all day.’ Peninnah said, pausing for effect.
‘Ah, I forgot—you don’t,’ Penninah mocked, as she eased herself onto their wooden bench.
Hannah lifted Miriam into her arms, mesmerized by the child’s wide gap between her two front teeth. It looked exactly like Elkanah’s—a camel could easily fit through there.
‘How about you help me place the cups on the table for you and your brothers?’ Hannah asked.
The girl nodded, beaming with eyes that turned into crescents. She placed Miriam on her feet, and secured a cup into the little girl’s dimpled hands.
Hannah glanced over at Peninnah who cradled the baby sucking contentedly at her breast. Why couldn’t she be like Penninah with her ever-generous womb? The baby was the sixth child she’d borne for Elkanah.
Hannah’s gaze drifted towards the girl. ‘Let’s count all the cups as we lay them on the table. Shall we, Miriam?’
The little girl wobbled her head up and down enthusiastically. Peninnah gave her daughter a frown.
‘Why not count all the babies that belong to Hannah. Shall we, Miriam?’ Peninnah hissed.
She lowered her voice to a whisper. ‘You are worthless, Hannah. You’re as worthless as an udderless cow.’
Hannah heard every whisper. She moved away, pretending not to notice.
By the time Elkanah returned with roasted portions of lamb, the table was ready and the children swarmed around the low table like locusts.
Hannah drank up the giggles and banter of Peninnah’s children, they liked Hannah and she liked them, and even loved them. After all, they were Elkanah’s children too. However, Peninnah, well—she had claws. Friendship with her was never an option.
She felt her eyes well up as Elkanah raised his voice in a prayer of thanksgiving.
He made mention of each child by name. The stone wall surrounding Hannah’s heart began to break apart. She tilted her head up toward the ceiling so the tears wouldn’t stream down her face.
A pointless move for as soon as she focused her attention to her husband’s slow methodic movements, she was undone.
With care, Elkanah divided the roasted lamb amongst them. It’s sweet aroma expanding in their makeshift tent like a cloud. He gathered the largest portion of meat, and slid it over the flatbread on Hannah’s plate.
Peninnah’s eyes turned to slits as she compared her portion to Hannah’s plate. The instant her husband’s back was turned, Peninnah shot Hannah a scowl, mouthing the word, ‘worthless’ in her face.
Like arrows, memories of the cruel barbs of Peninnah, and neighbours from their hometown came to mind. In the markets they’d snicker in low tones, ‘She must’ve done something wicked for God to shut her womb.’ ‘I wonder why Elkanah, doesn’t just get rid of her?’
Gently, Elkanah reached over and lifted Hannah’s chin. She brushed a tear away with the flat of her hand.
‘Hannah, what are these tears? Please, have something to eat.’ He nodded at the roasted lamb before her, smiling as he surveyed his children gathered around the table.
‘Why are you downhearted?’ and with lightness in his voice, ‘Am I not better to you than ten sons?’
***
Imagine the anguish Hannah must have felt for being childless. On top of that, she had to endure sharing the love of her husband with another woman. These heart-rending circumstances brought her to her knees.
What’s admirable about Hannah was that unlike Sarah and Rachel, who were wives of the great patriarchs that used their handmaids to continue the family line, Hannah took her pain and grief directly to the Lord.
She begged the Lord for a son, not for herself, but for Him, and promised to give him back to God to serve as a Nazarite.
Her impassioned pleas, her weeping and silent prayers were so intense that Eli the high priest scolded her for it. He watched her animated outpouring of grief in the temple (tabernacle) and made assumptions about her character.
Eli offered no words of comfort. Instead, he rebuked her. ‘How long will you stay drunk? Get rid of your wine.’
Hannah had to convince the old high priest that she was not under the influence of any alcohol. Once Eli was satisfied, that Hannah was speaking the truth; he blessed her.
Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. I Samuel 1:17
When you read the rest of the story, you’ll find that God held up His end. Hannah conceived and bore a son named Samuel—the last judge in Israel.
Hannah kept her promise as well. When Samuel was weaned, she took him to Eli for life long service in God’s tabernacle.
The Lord rewarded her beautiful sacrifice. In the years that followed, Hannah gave birth to three more sons and two daughters.
Now that’s a baby bonus.
Bibliography
Kennedy, N. 2004, Praying with Women of the Bible, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan USA.
Spurgeon, C. Sermons of Women of the Bible, Hendrickson Publishers, Massachusetts USA.
Tucker, R. 2013, The Biographical Bible, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan USA.
Awesome story, love the first quote,
Hey Miss, another great post!
This is a great story in the Bible. It really shows God’s faith, and how he answers our prayers. It is soo good that we can devote our lives to him and also have him listen to our prayers. We really are blessed.
– Dim 🙂
Always happy that you’ve learned something, Dim.
Cheers,
Mrs N