Elkanah

Elkanah is married to two women, Hannah and Peninnah. Elkanah loves Hannah although she has not given him any children. Eventually Hannah becomes pregnant and has a son whom she calls Samuel.

The name Elkanah means “God has created”. According to 1 Samuel 1:1, Elkanah lived in the city of Ramah and belonged to the tribe of Ephraim.
Elkanah was a family name. 1 Chronicles 6:18-23 mentions several other forefathers who were also called Elkanah. But according to the genealogy there, Elkanah belonged to the tribe of Levi.
Other men in the Bible with this name are: Elkanah, the guardian of the Ark of the Covenant (Covenant Box) (1 Chronicles 15:23), and Elkanah, who is the right-hand man of King Ahaz of Judah (2 Chronicles 28:7).

Elkanah has two wives, Hannah and Peninnah, but he loves Hannah the most. He probably married Hannah first, but when she had no children, he also took Peninnah as a wife.
Elkanah shows his love for Hannah by giving her the nicest piece of meat from the offering, at their annual visit to the sanctuary in Shiloh.
He also speaks very lovingly to her when she is sad because she cannot have children. He says, “Hannah, why are you crying? Why won’t you eat? Why are you always so sad? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” (1 Samuel 1:8).

Eventually Hannah becomes pregnant and has a son whom she calls Samuel. He is the prophet and judge of the people of Israel before Saul becomes king.
After the birth of Samuel, Elkanah and Hannah have five more children: three sons and two daughters (1 Samuel 2:21).