Polygamous homes are not new. As early as Genesis 4, Lamech had two wives, Ada and Zillah. Managing polygamous homes requires a lot of dedication and commitment. Many believers including myself have this belief in “one man, one wife.” God’s original intent for marriage was not based on polygamy. God began a monogamous marriage in Genesis. In Genesis 2:22-25, “Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” Adam was given Eve alone. God knew what was best for humanity. If being married to one person is work, imagine having multiple spouses. Paul’s advice to his protégé Timothy was to admonish the elders of the church to he husbands of one wife ( 1 Timothy 3:2). He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. (1 Samuel 1:2) Elkanah was a polygamous husband. His story predates the era of kings in Israel. “He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none” (1 Samuel 1:2). Today’s post will focus on Hannah and Peninnah. This is how scripture introduces the two wives, “Peninnah had children but Hannah had none.” By this quote, the stage is set for what would happen in the future. If you have followed earlier posts, you would know that the lack of children would likely cause problems. Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel experienced this as well, and each of them had different approaches to resolve it. Unfortunately for Hannah, “her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat” (1 Samuel 1:7). Elkanah loved Hannah and whenever they went to the house of the Lord to offer sacrifices, he would give Hannah a double portion of the meat. “Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her” (1 Samuel 1:6). Hannah must have been very sad and worried about her situation. Scripture records that year after year, Peninnah would provoke Hannah whenever they went to the house of the Lord and Hannah would weep and refuse to eat. If there was any place where rivals could misbehave, definitely, not the house of God. Peninnah chose the wrong location to taunt Hannah. Shiloh was a place of worship. Elkanah and the family committed to this yearly routine to be able to offer their sacrifices to the Lord. But to Hannah, it was a yearly opening of her scars. Peninnah intentionally used the visit to Shiloh to mock Hannah. Such a sad experience. Whenever people go through tough moments in life, the House of God should be a place for comfort, rest, peace and rejuvenation. As soon as our actions make people feel uncomfortable to come to church, we have become Peninnahs of our days. Not every joke is light, not every comment is harmless, not every look is peaceful. People give meaning to everything, therefore be mindful of what you say and do. You might leave people more broken than there were. Peninnah’s taunts broke Hannah into pieces. The already sad woman was shattered in the house of God. The same God who blessed Peninnah with the babies became a snare to Hannah because in His house, Hannah was mocked and ridiculed. Our words and actions are powerful. Be intentional to build people. If you don’t know what to say, then don’t say anything. Just pray for people. Talk to God about their needs. Be mindful not to cause already broken believers to be shattered by your words and actions.
top of page
bottom of page
Commentaires