1:2 two wives. Polygamy is first mentioned in Gen. 4:19. It is recognized and regulated, though not endorsed, in Deut. 21:15–17.

no children. Hannah was childless and was provoked by her prolific rival (vv. 6, 7). A barren though favored wife who receives a special offspring from Yahweh is not uncommon in the Old Testament. See Gen. 18:1–15 (Sarah-Isaac); 25:21–26 (Rebekah-Esau and Jacob); 30:22–24 (Rachel-Joseph); Judg. 13:2–5 (Manoah’s wife-Samson). In the New Testament see Luke 1:5–25 (Elizabeth-John).