Marriage and the Bible -- Part 20 -- Elkenah and His Two Wives

You know the thing I remember most about this story found in 1st Samuel 1 is that when I was a kid all I ever learned in Sunday School was that Hannah prayed and got a baby. It wasn't until I got to high school classes that I learned that Hannah was wife number two in a polygamist relationship. It seems in our culture mentioning that a man has two or more wives is rated "T" for Teen

The fact that often escapes notice is that one of the greatest men in Scripture; Samuel, is a child produced in a polygamist household. The last judge and the first prophet is the offspring of a man and wife number two. He will not be the only one.

This story illustrates a couple things we have seen before:

1. Polygamy -- in this case we see a few more negatives. Rivalry between the wives in producing children. The positive for the man in this culture is more children and bedroom options, but for the ladies there is competition to be that bedroom option so they can produce children.

2. One Flesh vs. Contract. The fact is that even though Elkenah's first wife produces him children, the relationship between him and this first wife is strained because of the favoritism he shows Hannah. The first wife (Peninnah) constantly harasses Hannah over it. Hannah and Elkenah are vary close as evidenced by his giving double portions and his famous question --"Am I not better to you than ten sons?" Peninnah -contract. Hannah - One Flesh.

This probably illustrates a possible problem with polygamy. There may simply be no way to avoid the fact that with multiple wives a husband is not going to gravitate to one wife over another or the others. We have seen this both here and with Jacob.

Next: David's Wives and Concubines.