1:1–2 / That the writers of the books of Samuel are interested in people is apparent from the beginning. The reader is plunged, without introductory analysis of the purpose of writing or preliminary theologizing, into an encounter with real people who are in a real situation, involved in real relationships, and encountering real problems. These first two verses present us with three characters. Elkanah, the husband of Hannah and Peninnah, is introduced in detail,