Focus: Peninnah Is Silenced!

Text: 1Sam.1:2

"And 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."

Peninnah caused Hannah so much grief. What is even interesting is that in this whole episode, saga, or squabble between these wives of Elkanah, Peninnah as her name is called occurred only three times, but Hannah's name appeared about thirteen times, meaning that those who trouble or cause you grief are not that prominent, not that well pronounced or highly projected people. They are the little foxes that spoil the vine. Their names are not worth mentioning or repeating.

The Scripture says, "And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat" (1Sam.1:6,7). She moved from being called Peninnah to being called "adversary." She turned herself into Hannah's enemy. She made Hannah's life miserable. 

The Scripture says, "Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?" (1Sam.1:8). Hannah in her weeping and grieving lost appetite for food. She was losing it. Her husband did nothing that meant anything to her. Her adversary was having children, but in her own case, the Lord had shut up her womb. She had no children - not even a child. The story says, "But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had SHUT UP her womb" (1Sam.1:5). The kind gestures of Elkanah solved no problem, because material or monetary gifts could not take the place of children.

One thing is clear, the enemy had no idea that God was behind Hannah's situation, not the enemy's shenanigans or insinuations.

Peninnah was an enemy from within. She was a mere church-goer and a false worshipper. Her heart was dark, untouched and unchanged by God. It gave her so much pleasure to see Hannah sad. She felt no remorse, torturing her co-wife mentally and emotionally.

Hannah's senior Pastor, Eli, even assumed or presumed that Hannah was drunk. He concluded over her wrongly. His judgment was based on outward appearance. Hannah said to him, "No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have POURED OUT MY SOUL BEFORE THE LORD" (1Sam.1:15).

One thing that Peninnah forgot was the meaning of Hannah's name, which is GRACE. Interestingly too, the Hebrew word for womb also means mercy. Her womb was shut by God whose own womb of mercy is never shut.

A person of grace cannot end up in disgrace. Shame and sorrow are only for a while. Grace will always win, and God's womb is always carrying mercy in abundance. In due season God will birth the mercy that has your name on it.

I pray for God's grace in your life to speak. The moment the grace in your life speaks, then you will see your trouble come to an end. Peninnah will not last in your life.

The Scripture tells us that God who shut Hannah's womb also opened it. We read, "And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her" (1Sam.1:19). God remembered and opened her womb. God and Elkanah did their parts, and the rest is history. God silenced Peninnah forever. She could not speak again. God tied her mouth.

The Scripture tells us, "And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation" (1Sam.2:1). Hannah rejoiced at last, and Peninnah was no where to be found. She lost out, and to make matters worse for her, we read, "And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters…" (1Sam.2:21). 

Do you see the God we serve? He works wonders and changes the stories of His people. As they say, It's never over until it's over. Grace spoke at last. God eternally silenced Peninnah and brushed her aside. Hannah laughed last and rejoiced in God's salvation. Hear me, God will silence Satan in your life. You will testify at last. You will sing for joy and celebrate the goodness of God.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter