It is likely that Elkanah took a second wife (Peninnah) on account of the fact that his beloved wife (Hannah) was barren. This was a common practice at the time and it was done in an attempt to ensure offspring and an heir.1 Husbands hoped for sons who would perpetuate their name and inherit their estate.2 Though the practice was never explicitly condemned in the Old Testament up to that time, it was nevertheless out of step with God’s revelation (see Genesis 2:23–25; Proverbs 5:15–20; Proverbs 18:22; Proverbs 31:10–31).3
2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.