Meaning of 1 Samuel 1:5

This verse reveals a complex marital dynamic and the sovereign hand of God in human circumstances. Elkanah, a man with two wives, Hannah and Peninnah, clearly favored Hannah, giving her a "double portion" of the sacrificial meat. This favoritism, however, was juxtaposed with the profound pain of Hannah's barrenness, a condition attributed to the Lord's direct intervention. The text highlights the emotional toll this situation took on Hannah, as Peninnah's ability to bear children served as a constant, taunting reminder of her own perceived deficiency. Elkanah's love for Hannah is evident in his preferential treatment, yet it cannot overcome the divine decree that kept her from conceiving, setting the stage for a pivotal moment of prayer and divine response.

Context and Background

The narrative unfolds in the period of the Judges, a time characterized by a cycle of disobedience, divine discipline, and eventual deliverance. Elkanah was a Levite from the hill country of Ephraim, signifying his religious standing. His polygamous relationship, while not explicitly condemned in this passage, was a departure from the ideal of monogamy established in creation. The annual pilgrimage to Shiloh, where the tabernacle was located, was a significant religious obligation, and it is during these occasions that the tensions within Elkanah's household are brought to the fore. Peninnah's aggressive provocation of Hannah underscores the societal pressure on women to bear children, especially in that era, and the deep shame associated with barrenness.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Sovereignty and Human Suffering: The verse explicitly states, "the Lord had closed her womb." This emphasizes God's active role in human affairs, even in instances of perceived hardship or affliction. It challenges the notion that suffering is merely random or accidental.
• Love and Favoritism: Elkanah's demonstrative love for Hannah is shown through his generous allocation of food. This favoritism, while personal, also creates a visible hierarchy within the household.
• Barrenness as a Social Stigma: Hannah's inability to conceive is presented as a source of deep personal anguish and a point of contention with Peninnah. In ancient Israel, bearing children was often seen as a sign of divine blessing and a woman's fulfillment.
• The Interplay of Human Emotion and Divine Action: The verse intricately weaves together Elkanah's love, Peninnah's antagonism, Hannah's sorrow, and God's sovereign action.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This passage speaks to the reality that even those deeply loved by God may experience periods of trial and barrenness, whether literal or spiritual. God's purposes can be worked out through difficult circumstances, and our prayers in times of affliction are not unheard. The story of Hannah's eventual conception of Samuel, a pivotal prophet, demonstrates that God can bring forth great good from situations that appear hopeless. It encourages perseverance in prayer and faith, trusting that God's timing and plan are ultimately for our good, even when we don't understand them.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The theme of barrenness and divine intervention is a recurring motif in the Old Testament. Figures like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Samson's mother all experienced barrenness before God granted them children who played crucial roles in salvation history. Hannah's story is a direct precursor to the birth of Samuel, who would anoint both Saul and David, establishing the Davidic monarchy. Her prayer of thanksgiving in chapter 2 is a foundational prophetic utterance that anticipates the coming of the Messiah.

Analogies

• The Unseen Gardener: Imagine a gardener who deliberately withholds rain from a particular patch of soil, not out of malice, but to prepare it for a specific, extraordinary seed that will later bloom into something magnificent. Elkanah's love is like the sunlight and nutrients already available, but the divine closure of the womb is the deliberate withholding of water, a necessary part of God's greater plan.
• A Divine Pause: Think of a composer who deliberately inserts a moment of silence or a dissonant chord in a musical piece. This pause or dissonance isn't a flaw; it creates tension and anticipation, making the subsequent resolution or harmonious passage even more impactful. Hannah's barrenness is a divine pause, building anticipation for the profound gift of Samuel.

Relation to Other Verses

• Genesis 30:22-23: "Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. She conceived and bore a son and said, 'God has taken away my reproach.'" This parallels Hannah's experience, highlighting God's remembrance and intervention in cases of barrenness.
• Psalm 113:9: "He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!" This psalm echoes the sentiment of God's power to bless the barren.
• Luke 1:36-37: "And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." This New Testament passage demonstrates the continuity of God's power to overcome biological limitations, directly linking to the miraculous births of Old Testament figures like Hannah.