1 Samuel 1:4

Letters to the Faithful - 1 Samuel 1:4

Berean Standard Bible

And whenever the day came for Elkanah to present his sacrifice, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters.

King James Bible

And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

Hebrew Text: 

וַיְהִ֣י הַיּ֔וֹם וַיִּזְבַּ֖ח אֶלְקָנָ֑ה וְנָתַ֞ן לִפְנִנָּ֣ה אִשְׁתּ֗וֹ וּֽלְכָל־בָּנֶ֛יהָ וּבְנוֹתֶ֖יהָ מָנֽוֹת׃

Transliteration: 

Vayehi hayyom vayizbaḥ Elkanah venatan li-Feninnah ishto u-lekhol baneha u-benoteha manot.

--------------------------------

And whenever the day came for Elkanah to present his sacrifice

This phrase indicates a regular, recurring event, likely tied to the annual pilgrimage to Shiloh, where the tabernacle was located. Elkanah, a devout man, followed the Mosaic Law, which required sacrifices and offerings at the central place of worship. This reflects the religious practices of ancient Israel, where families would travel to offer sacrifices, a practice rooted in Deuteronomy 12:5-7. The act of presenting a sacrifice was a demonstration of obedience and devotion to God, and it underscores the importance of worship in the life of an Israelite family.

he would give portions to his wife Peninnah

Elkanah's distribution of portions to Peninnah signifies the sharing of the sacrificial meal, a common practice after offering sacrifices. This act was not only a religious duty but also a familial one, ensuring that all members of the household participated in the blessings of the sacrifice. Peninnah, as one of Elkanah's wives, received her share, highlighting the polygamous practices of the time, which were culturally accepted though often fraught with tension, as seen in the narrative of Sarah and Hagar in Genesis 16.

and to all her sons and daughters

The mention of Peninnah's sons and daughters emphasizes her fertility, contrasting with Hannah's barrenness, which is a central theme in the narrative. In ancient Israel, children were considered a blessing from God, and a large family was a sign of divine favor. This cultural context sets the stage for the tension between Peninnah and Hannah, as Peninnah's fruitful womb stands in stark contrast to Hannah's childlessness, echoing the stories of other biblical matriarchs like Rachel and Leah in Genesis 29-30. The distribution of portions to Peninnah's children also reflects the communal aspect of worship and the importance of family unity in religious observance.

----------------------------

1 Samuel 1:4, in the New International Version, states, “Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters.” This verse, nestled within the opening narrative of 1 Samuel, introduces a key moment in the story of Hannah, Samuel’s mother, and sets the stage for the personal and theological drama that unfolds. The chapter describes Elkanah’s family, a devout Israelite household, making an annual pilgrimage to Shiloh to worship and offer sacrifices at the sanctuary. The verse highlights Elkanah’s practice of distributing sacrificial portions, revealing family dynamics, cultural practices, and theological themes central to the narrative. For its original audience, likely post-exilic Israelites reflecting on their covenant identity, this verse underscores God’s sovereignty over human circumstances and foreshadows His redemptive work through Samuel. To fully unpack its significance, we must explore its literary context, cultural setting, theological implications, and enduring relevance, while connecting it to broader biblical themes.

The verse is set within the annual rhythm of Elkanah’s family worship at Shiloh, the religious center of Israel during the period of the judges (Judges 21:19). The phrase “whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice” indicates a recurring event, likely tied to one of the major festivals prescribed in the Torah, such as Passover, Pentecost, or Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:16). Sacrifices were communal acts, involving offerings to God and the sharing of portions among the worshipers, as outlined in Leviticus 7:15-18 for peace offerings. Elkanah’s role as the family head in offering the sacrifice reflects his piety and adherence to covenant worship, setting a contrast with the corrupt priesthood at Shiloh under Eli’s sons (1 Samuel 2:12-17). For the original audience, this detail would establish Elkanah as a faithful Israelite, grounding the narrative in the covenantal practices that defined their identity, even in a time of spiritual and political instability (Judges 21:25).

The act of giving “portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters” highlights the family structure and the cultural significance of the sacrificial meal. In ancient Israel, the peace offering was partially burned on the altar, with portions returned to the offerer for a communal feast (Leviticus 3:1-17). Distributing portions was a practical and symbolic act, affirming family unity and God’s provision. Peninnah, Elkanah’s second wife, and her children receive portions, indicating their full inclusion in the covenant meal. The emphasis on “all her sons and daughters” underscores Peninnah’s fertility, a point of contrast with Hannah, who is barren (1 Samuel 1:2). In a patriarchal society where a woman’s value was often tied to childbearing (Genesis 30:1), this detail sets up the tension that drives the narrative: Hannah’s childlessness and Peninnah’s provocation (1 Samuel 1:6). For the original audience, familiar with the cultural importance of progeny, this would evoke sympathy for Hannah and highlight the social pressures she faced.

Theologically, the verse subtly introduces God’s sovereignty over human affairs, a central theme in 1 Samuel. While the verse focuses on Elkanah’s actions, the broader context points to God’s control over fertility and family dynamics. Hannah’s barrenness, noted earlier (1 Samuel 1:2), is not attributed to chance but to God’s will (1 Samuel 1:5, “the Lord had closed her womb”). The contrast between Peninnah’s many children and Hannah’s lack of offspring sets the stage for God’s intervention, as He will open Hannah’s womb to birth Samuel, Israel’s future prophet and judge (1 Samuel 1:20). This echoes biblical narratives where God reverses barrenness to fulfill His purposes, such as Sarah (Genesis 21:1-2) and Rachel (Genesis 30:22-24). For the original audience, likely reflecting on their own national restoration after exile, this would affirm God’s power to bring life and hope from seemingly hopeless situations, reinforcing their trust in His covenant promises.

Culturally, the verse reflects the realities of polygamous households in ancient Israel, a practice permitted but not idealized in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 21:15-17). Elkanah’s two wives, Hannah and Peninnah, mirror the dynamics of Jacob’s family, where rivalry between Leah and Rachel fueled tension (Genesis 30:1-8). Peninnah’s fertility and her receipt of multiple portions contrast with Hannah’s single portion (1 Samuel 1:5), amplifying the emotional and social disparity between them. The sacrificial meal, meant to be a joyful occasion, becomes a setting for Hannah’s pain, as Peninnah’s provocation intensifies her distress (1 Samuel 1:6-7). For the post-exilic audience, this human drama would resonate, as they navigated their own communal and personal struggles to reestablish identity in a restored yet challenging land. The verse also subtly critiques the corruption at Shiloh, as the proper distribution of portions by Elkanah contrasts with the priests’ later abuse of sacrificial offerings (1 Samuel 2:13-16).

Practically, 1 Samuel 1:4 invites reflection on faithfulness in worship and the complexities of human relationships within God’s providence. Elkanah’s commitment to sacrifice at Shiloh models devotion, encouraging the original audience to prioritize covenant worship despite societal chaos. For modern readers, it challenges us to engage in worship as a communal act of trust, even when personal circumstances, like Hannah’s, are painful. The verse also highlights the reality of familial tension, acknowledging that even devout households face strife. Hannah’s marginalization due to barrenness parallels modern experiences of exclusion or unfulfilled longing, inviting believers to trust God’s timing and purposes. The emphasis on Peninnah’s children foreshadows God’s reversal in Hannah’s favor, offering hope that God sees and acts in the lives of the afflicted (1 Samuel 1:11).

In the broader context of 1 Samuel, this verse sets up the narrative arc of God’s redemptive work through Hannah’s son, Samuel, who will lead Israel during a transitional period from judges to monarchy. It introduces themes of divine faithfulness, human struggle, and the power of prayer, as Hannah’s subsequent vow (1 Samuel 1:11) leads to Samuel’s birth and dedication. For the original audience, the verse would underscore God’s ability to work through ordinary families to accomplish His purposes, a message of hope for a people seeking renewal. For contemporary readers, 1 Samuel 1:4 offers a reminder that God’s plans unfold amidst human imperfection, using even painful circumstances to bring about His redemptive purposes. Its focus on worship, family, and divine sovereignty invites us to trust God’s provision and timing, knowing that He weaves human stories into His greater narrative of salvation.

-------------------------------

Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. It is with a weight of reverence and love that I write to you, longing that these words may stir your spirits to devotion, awaken your hearts to hope, and draw your eyes upward to the faithfulness of the God who sees, hears, and remembers.

I urge you now, dear brothers and sisters, to pause and reflect upon the sacred pages of the Scripture, in particular upon the tender and powerful narrative preserved for us in the first book of Samuel, in that seemingly small verse—chapter one, verse four—which reads: “Whenever Elkanah offered a sacrifice, he gave portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters.”

Though to some this verse may appear as a simple note of routine or ritual, we find embedded within it a truth that pulses with eternal relevance: that every offering carries within it a message, and every portion a witness of something deeper than custom—it is a mirror of the heart, a reflection of unseen struggles, and a pointer to the God who dwells among us.

Elkanah, a man of his time, went up yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh. He did not neglect the altar. He did not ignore the requirements of the law. He brought his family to the house of the Lord and presented his sacrifice with faithful hands. Yet it is not the act alone that speaks—it is the context of his household. For Elkanah had two wives: Peninnah, who had children, and Hannah, who had none. And here, in this domestic divide, we witness the tension that many of us carry in the silence of our souls—the tension between outward obedience and inward sorrow.

It is in this holy place, at the point of sacrifice, that life reveals its paradoxes. For while Peninnah received her portion, and her sons and daughters received theirs, it was Hannah—barren, ridiculed, broken—who bore the ache of unanswered prayers. It is often so: the portion may be shared at the table, yet the heart can still hunger for something more. Many among you know this hunger. You labor in worship. You present your offering. You gather with the saints. You give and serve and sing. And yet, there is a hidden grief, a private ache, a yearning not yet fulfilled.

But do not despair, beloved. For the Spirit of the Lord who brooded over the waters in creation now broods over your soul. He sees the ache of the faithful. He knows the wounds behind your worship. And He does not forget.

Hannah’s story does not remain in barrenness. Though she received no child in that moment, she received something greater—an invitation to pour out her soul before the Lord. Her grief became her prayer. Her longing became the soil for a miracle. And so must ours. The offering Elkanah gave, though necessary, could not reach the depths of Hannah’s need. But the Lord could. And He did.

Therefore, I call upon you, dear saints of God: offer your sacrifices—not only the outward acts of worship, but the inner pouring out of your soul. Let your honesty rise like incense. Come before the Lord not merely with words, but with your wounds. He is not weary of your weeping. He does not reject the groanings that cannot be uttered. Bring your silent pain. Bring your deferred hopes. Bring even your envy, if you must. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and He saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Do not measure your value by the portion others receive. You may see others prosper, bear fruit, succeed in ministry, raise families, or flourish in ways you’ve only dared to imagine. But hear this: God is writing a testimony in your tears. And what He births in the hidden place, in the wilderness of delay, will have greater weight and purpose than what is produced in ease. Samuel—the answer to Hannah’s prayer—was not just a child. He was a prophet. A priest. A forerunner of kings. He was the fruit of a woman who dared to pray bitter prayers and remain faithful in the silence.

So I exhort you: remain faithful. Return to the house of the Lord. Do not forsake the place of offering, even when your hands tremble and your heart feels empty. The Lord will remember you. And not in some vague or distant way, but with power, precision, and compassion. He will fill what is barren. He will redeem what is broken. He will exalt the humble and quiet the taunts of those who scorn you.

And let us also examine our hearts, for we may be Peninnah as well as Hannah. If we have received portions and blessings, let us not provoke or boast, but walk in humility, understanding that all good things come from above. If we are stewards of abundance, let our abundance be a comfort to others, not a cause of pain. Let our words build up and not tear down. Let our hearts be soft toward the sorrow of others. And let us be ministers of mercy, agents of encouragement, and bearers of hope to those still waiting.

I pray, therefore, that this word would settle deeply in your spirits: your sacrifice is not unseen. Your longing is not in vain. Your waiting is not wasted. The Lord is both witness and rewarder. The altar may be shared, but your portion is prepared by the hand of God. Trust Him. He will not delay without reason, and He will not fulfill without glory.

May the God of all comfort, who raised the barren womb to birth a prophet, strengthen your hearts, renew your hope, and bring you peace that surpasses understanding. Hold fast, beloved. The time of remembrance is near.

-----------------------------------

Almighty and Everlasting God, our Father and our Refuge, You who dwell in unapproachable light yet stoop to hear the cries of Your children, we come before You now with hearts lifted and bowed, drawn by the testimony of Your Word and the longing of our souls.

You are the God who sees beyond outward forms and beyond the portions handed out at human tables. You see the hidden heart. You discern the motives of every sacrifice. You know the ones who come with hands full and those who come with empty hands and weary hearts. You know those who sing with joy and those whose praise is mingled with tears.

O Lord of Hosts, we recall the day when Elkanah brought his offering to You. With faithfulness, he gave portions to Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. Yet within his house there was sorrow—Hannah, his beloved, received a portion, but not yet the desire of her heart. Even as the feast was laid before her, her soul hungered for what no human hand could provide. And so today, Lord, we bring before You all who likewise live between outward provision and inward longing.

We pray for the faithful among us whose service continues despite unfulfilled prayers. For those who give and worship and serve, yet carry the ache of delay. For those who walk among the crowd but feel alone in their struggle. For those who hear the laughter of others but whose own hearts tremble in the silence of waiting. Lord, be near to them. Whisper Your love in the unseen places. Strengthen their weary frames. Assure them that their portion is not forgotten in Your sight.

We ask, O God, that You would awaken within us a deeper trust—not in the visible portions of life, but in the unseen purposes of Your heart. Teach us to value our inheritance in You above any earthly gift. May our joy be rooted in Your presence, not in circumstances. May our worship flow from who You are, not merely from what we have received.

Grant us the grace, Lord, to come to Your altar again and again, even when the outcome remains unseen. Just as Hannah rose to pour out her soul before You, may we find the courage to lay bare our hearts without pretense. Give us holy boldness to weep before You, knowing that You do not despise the tears of the righteous. Turn our grief into prayer. Turn our longing into the soil of faith. May our unanswered prayers become the place where deep communion with You is forged.

And Lord, for those among us who, like Peninnah, have been blessed with many portions, teach us humility and compassion. Let us not provoke or boast, but remember that every good and perfect gift comes from Your hand. May we become vessels of encouragement, not of envy or pride. May our words lift up the brokenhearted and our lives testify of Your mercy.

We ask for a holy patience in the waiting. May hope anchor our souls as we trust in Your timing. Let us not grow weary in well-doing, nor forsake the gathering of Your people, nor neglect the altar of sacrifice. May every offering—whether in abundance or in want—rise before You as a fragrant incense of love.

O God who remembered Hannah and opened her womb in the fullness of time, so remember all who wait upon You today. May they behold Your goodness in the land of the living. And when You answer, may we, like Hannah, return with thanksgiving, dedicating every blessing to Your glory. For You alone are worthy of honor, praise, and devotion.

So now, Father of compassion, seal this prayer in our hearts. Let it bear fruit in our lives. Knit us together as one people—those with portions abundant and those with longings unfulfilled—so that in all things, through joy and through sorrow, Christ may be exalted in us.

We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, our Intercessor, and our coming King. Amen.