The sense of the Hebrew verbs in verse 4 seems to be not that Elkanah sacrificed and gave portions one time only, but rather that this is what he did “each time” he went to Shiloh to offer sacrifices.

On the day when Elkanah sacrificed: literally “and it was the day and Elkanah sacrificed.” This may be legitimately translated “Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would….” (New International Version).

He would give: as indicated above, the verb form here indicates a repeated or habitual action. In languages that have special forms for such actions, those forms should be used here. Others may wish to follow one of these models: “had the habit of giving” (Bible en français courant) or “had the custom of giving” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

Portions refers to the pieces of meat that the worshiper was allowed to eat from the animal that had been sacrificed (see the laws in Lev 7.11-19). For the fellowship offerings, part of the sacrifice was burned for God, and the rest of the animal was eaten by the people. The Hebrew does not state specifically that Elkanah gave only one share of the meat to Peninnah and one share to each of her children, but that is probably the intended meaning (so Good News Translation and New American Bible). If he gave Hannah one share only (as stated in the Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation renderings of the following verse), then it is unlikely that he gave his other wife and each of her children more than he gave Hannah.

Though the Hebrew says Peninnah his wife, Good News Translation omits the words his wife, since that information has just been given in verse 2, and in English narrative it is not natural to repeat it so soon.

The Hebrew says her sons and daughters. Though the Good News Translation translation “her children” allows for the possibility of both male and female children, it does not state it clearly, as the Hebrew does.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .