Peninnah was the concubine of Elkanah. Elkanah had a principal wife, Hannah, but they had no children together. Meanwhile, Peninnah had children, and Peninnah despised Hannah, the principal wife.
1 Sam 1:1There was a man from Ephraim in Ramathaim-Zophim) in the hill country of Ephraim, named Elkanah), son of Jeroham), the son of Elihu), the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph), an Ephraimite.1 Sam 1:2He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.1 Sam 1:3Year after year this man went up from his town to Shiloh to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord Almighty. Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas), were there serving as priests of the Lord.1 Sam 1:4Whenever Elkanah) offered a sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters.1 Sam 1:5But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb.1 Sam 1:6Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival Peninnah kept provoking her to irritate her.1 Sam 1:7This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival Peninnah would provoke her till she wept and would not eat.