5. We dont have to look far to see that power corrupts. How Many Wives Did King David Have? - Grunge The story of Bathsheba and David has proved so enduring that religious commentators still debate the quality . Wives of King David How many wives did King David have? While we talk a lot about his heroic might, we dont talk much about Davids wives. 2 Samuel 11:1 records that the king sent his army out to wage war, but he himself stayed behind in Jerusalem. Nathan calmly told the king: "You are the man," meaning that God had revealed to the prophet the truth of David's adultery, deceit, and murder of Uriah. 7 Bibliography. With malintent, Saul initially tried to give his first daughter, Merab, to David in marriage to put David in peril by the hand of the Philistines. Women had little protection in the ancient world, although the Bible has always outlined rules for treating them justly. Chileab (or Daniel . When it comes to Gods children, Scripture places much emphasis on the importance of making good decisions (Joshua 24:14-15; 1 Corinthians 10:13). The primary evidence for David's career consists of several chapters in the books 1 . It is all too common for skeptics and mockers to cite such things in Scripture to devalue the moral integrity of the Bible and dismiss the possibility of Scripture being Gods Word. This is one of the most glorious and mind-blowing truths Scripture reveals about our Lord. In addition, David had an unknown number of concubines. (1 Chr 3:9)(2 Sam 5:13)(2 Sam 16:21-22)(2 Sam 20:3 tells us he had at least 10). All rights reserved. Answer. Heres the plot summary, and its spicy enough for any Netflix series: King David stays home when hes supposed to go to war. Bathsheba was a victim who suffered from multiple life-changing traumas in the same year. Sure enough, Joab put Uriah on the front lines when David's army attacksRabbathafter a long siege, although Joab didn't withdraw the army as David instructed. It may be shocking to suggest King David had sexual issues, but its not out of the question. Confession and repentance not only makes our hearts whole again; it also resets our physical and emotional states. Did she resist, beg, or comply? The story of David and Bathsheba is one of the most dramatic accounts in the Old Testament. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel. Like many things in life, we are all impacted by the choices and behavior of our parents. As Old Testament characters go, King David is probably the most famous. God makes the ultimate mockery of sin by taking our wicked decisions and using them for His good purposes (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). David's Rape of Bathsheba and Murder of Uriah (2 | Theology of Work When David danced before the Ark of the Covenant as it entered Jerusalem, Michal rebuked him for his undignified behavior. Bathsheba, also spelled Bethsabee, in the Hebrew Bible (2 Samuel 11, 12; 1 Kings 1, 2), wife of Uriah the Hittite; she later became one of the wives of King David and the mother of King Solomon. Even knowing she was another man's wife, David . David repents and worships. David retorted that he was celebrating before God, and that story concludes by saying Michael remained childless throughout her entire life (2 Sam 6:23). His son Solomon expanded the empire that David built. The gifts had previously been given to King Saul. The Bible does not say the rape was an act of violence (violent rape elsewhere in the Bible uses a different Hebrew word), it also does not say the sex was mutual, and it also does not say whether Bathsheba has any choice in the matter. While he walked around on the roof of his house, David spied the married woman, Bathsheba, bathing. So David sends Uriah back to the front with a note for Joab, the general, to put Uriah in an exposed position where hell be killedto make sure by pulling the other troops back and leaving him stranded. This son died seven days after his birth (2 Samuel 12:16-23), and it is possible that he is not included in this list. In his epistle to the Romans, Paul mentions the edifying nature of the entire Old Testament stating, For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scripture we might have hope (Romans 15:4). Related: Listen to our FREE Bible podcast,How to Study the Bible! Given that context, David may have had so many partners because he was in an addictive cycle. Tamar After Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar, the Bible tells us that he "hated her with a very great hatred; for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her now throw this woman out of my presence, and lock the door behind her" (2 Samuel 13:15,17). The first was the baby that was the fruit of the sinful and murderous romance between him and Bathsheba. He killed a lot of prisoners after battles. [1] He was a younger brother of Shammuah (sometimes referred to as Shammua or Shimea), Shobab, and Solomon. Saul had no choice but to give Michal to David as his wife (1 Samuel 18:20-27). As told in 2 Samuel 11-12, Bathsheba was married to Uriah, one of Davids mighty men (2 Samuel 23:39). Gods providence. Following Amnon's murder, Absalom fled Jerusalem and did not return for another three years. Politicians, mega-pastors, coaches, professional athletes, corporate leaders. Special insight and inspiration straight from the presidents desk. David had many wives & concubines - Diana Leagh Matthews They are all mentioned in 2 Samuel 3:2-5 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-3. All 27 lessons of our popular Bible lesson series available at the click of your mouse. Solomon would repent and return his heart fully to God, going on to write many of the Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, and the book of Ecclesiastes. Obviously, David was secure enough on his throne that he no longer had a need to go to war to prove his military prowess; he could send his generals instead. In every time and season, there is an opportunity to share hope in Christ. 12. David offered his services to a man named Nabal, Abigail's husband before David. Joel Ryanis an author, writing professor, and contributing writer for Salem Web Network and Lifeway. Thus, it also means that he was between 44-48 years old when he first encountered Bathsheba, who was 7-9 years old. Davids confession in 2 Samuel 12:13 is beautiful and simple: I have sinned against the Lord. First and foremost, our sin is always against God, so its his forgiveness we must seek first. Featuring courses and local seminars on how to be a better witness in your community. David flew into a rage, demanding to know who the man was so that he could exact judgment on him. But Uriah is a man of integrity (he doesnt want to enjoy anything his fellow-soldiers cant enjoy), so he sleeps outside the palace. ***Note: Based upon (2 Sam 12:8), some believe that after Saul died, David married his wives. Nathan little is known about Nathan, David's third son by Bathsheba; however, he is worth mentioning for his inclusion in Luke's account of the genealogy of Jesus as one of Jesus' ancestors via the line of David (Luke 3:31). In rebellion against his father, Absalom mounted a coup against David and briefly took the kingdom (2 Samuel 15-17). Discover all the informative and inspiring books from the speaker and president of Amazing Facts. When he heard this, David took Abigail as his wife. News reached Saul that his daughter, Michal, loved David. Who Are King David's Children in the Bible? He didn't lure her. But God blessed Bathsheba with her son Solomon who would become king after his father. Unfortunately, bad habits can be learned and passed on to our children if not challenged or corrected early. Again, with sinister motives, Saul told David he could still become his son-in-law by marrying Michal. If so, the sons of David with his wives would total at least 20. We dont know about five of his wives other than which sons they bore. He wasnt in love with her from what the text reveals. Answer. Article Images Copyright . Since David died when he was 70 years old, it means that he was 50 years old when Bathsheba (9-11 years old) gave birth to Solomon. His first six sons, recorded in 2 Samuel 3:1-5 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-4, are: 1. Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, David's fifth wife.5. The Bible doesn't mention the circumstances of David's marriage to Bathsheba, but it does mention that he had three wives before Bathsheba. Amnom would create much grief for David and the rest of the family when he molested his half-sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13). Eglah married David while he was in exile, and had a son named Ithream. The names of the eight wives of King David were: Michal, Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacha, Haggith, Abital, Egla and Bathsheba . He recalled Uriah from the front, supposedly to give him a report on the battle, and then told him to take some leave and visit his wife. Sources:TheGospelCoalition.org, 'Did King David Rape Bathsheba? Bathsheba was a daughter of Eliam and was probably of noble birth. From that time forward, Michal despises David (2 Samuel 6:16). We know Abigail was unusually wise, and nothing about how she related to David later in life. Absalom, whose mother was Maacah (or Maakah), the daughter of Talmar, King of Geshur, and wife of David.4. Absolutely not! All rights reserved. Davids greatest attribute was being called a man after Gods own heart. While he pursued relationship with God, he at times neglected to guard it from his own sinful nature. David - passionate poet and in love, lyrical singer, courageous in battle and completely Gd-fearing, yet humble and willing to take responsibility and admit his mistakes. Psalm 32 relays how Davids sin and restoration affected him physically, psychologically, and spiritually. Regarding Davids wives, we have a grim reminder of what happens when we neglect to live as God commands. Nathan reminded David that his sin had removed Gods protection and blessing from his life. In 2 Samuel 12, the prophet Nathan confronts David concerning his sin with Bathsheba and pronounces a judgment against David. She was separated from her husband as a military wife, was taken advantage of by her king, grieved a murdered spouse, became pregnant with the king's baby, married the king becoming his fourth wife, and then lost her baby. Gods Word is perfect, but if we dont take the time to understand what it actually means, the world will propagate its false understandings and leave us speechless. In verse 15, David is described writing a letter to his general, Joab, telling him to put Uriah on the front lines where the fighting is fiercest, and then to withdraw, leaving Uriah undefended. Claim: David "power raped" Bathsheba. David, as well as kings which followed (including his son Solomon who had 700 wives and 300 concubines: 1 Kin 11:3), disobeyed this command. You read that correctly, God recorded Davids polygamous lifestyle for our instruction and encouragement. He lost four children. After Amnon raped Tamar, Absalom killed him (2 Samuel 13:23-38). We know that David promised Bathsheba her son Solomon would succeed him and that she warned him that Adonijah was trying to usurp the throne (1 Kings 1:17). Adonijah was later executed by his brother Solomon for his insurrection and failed attempts to steal the throne (1 Kings 1-2). Haggith(1 Chr 3:2)(2 Sam 3:4) In 2020, he won First Prize for Best Feature Story in a regional contest by the Colorado Press Association Network. Then when David ascends to the throne of Israel, David orders Michal to be taken from her new husband and children and brought back to the palace, apparently out of spite. The source for everything happening at Amazing Facts. Bathsheba: Midrash and Aggadah | Jewish Women's Archive Eglah(1 Chr 3:3)(2 Sam 3:5) 2 Samuel 12:10-12 . Davids history suggests that he used many women to balance out his faults (lust, violence, and ego). It stands as a clear warning to every leader, every spouse, and every believer who loves God and feels secure in their own perspectives. It is likely David had even more sons and daughters that the Bible does not record since we know he had several more unnamed wives and perhaps even more concubines through which he fathered children (1 Chronicles 3:9). Thus King David was relaxing on a palace balcony above the city when he spied a beautiful woman taking a bath. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Clearly, a liaison with her would violate the seventh commandment against adultery, and a king of Israel was supposed to be a religious leader as well as a political leader. He cant sleep (maybe because hes not fulfilling his purpose? Saul had no choice but to give Michal to David as his wife ( 1 Samuel 18:20-27 ). To that total we would add all the unnamed sons of his concubines. Although the lists of his mighty men (2 Samuel 23:8-39 & 1 Chronicles 11:10-47) are given after David has become king, many of them may have been the loyal followers who stayed with him when he was fleeing King Saul.At the very least, they fought side by side with him. Not long after Bathsheba and David committed adultery, Bathsheba sent a message to David telling him she was pregnant. (2 Samuel 11:2-4) "David didn't invite Bathsheba. How many children did King David have? | GotQuestions.org The Bible routinely describes polygamy in a negative light, so it may be hard to understand why David, a man after Gods own heart, (1 Samuel 13:14) had multiple wives. Although she seems passive at the beginning of her relationship with David, Bathsheba becameKing David's active support at the end of his life, as she secured David's throne for their son, Solomon, who was destined to become a wise, if flawed, ruler of Israel. In all of Scripture, the life of David may be the most dramatic recorded. 7. As king, his responsibility is to secure a peaceful nation. David slept with Bathsheba and arranged for Uriahs death when he discovered Bathsheba was pregnant (2 Samuel 11:14-27). Some of David's children did; many did not. How Can I Recognize and Understand the Holy Spirit Better? David, like all other human beings, was not a robot. He talks to Uriah about the battle and sends him home so hell sleep with his wife and the affair will be hidden. We must all be actively aware of the battle for our hearts (1 Peter 5:8-10) and respond accordingly, with the power of the Holy Spirit. Nathan ( Hebrew: , Modern: Natan, Tiberian: Nn) was the third of four sons born to King David and Bathsheba in Jerusalem. That example would come through his descendent, Jesus Christ, in whom David's broken, imperfect family would be redeemed, and all people could be forgiven, restored, and redeemed. The newKing Solomonvalued his mother's help so much that he had a second throne installed for her so that she became his closest adviser until her death. Even if Bathsheba played a part, scriptures deem David's sin in their affair to be greater for two reasons. Haggithmarried David while he was in exile, and had a son named Adonijah. But Nathans prophecies still come true. Here are the eight wives: Michalwas Davids original wife, Sauls daughter whom David won by killing 100 Philistines (1 Samuel 18:24-27). David thought he pulled off this caper until the prophet Nathan came to visit in 2 Samuel 12. However, God's mercies are proven to be far more powerful than any sin or parental mistake(Deuteronomy 5:9-10). God removes Davids guilt and shame, but God does not remove the natural consequences that Davids sinful patterns produced. Not only would God grant Solomon favor in the form of wisdom, riches, and long life (1 Kings 3), God would honor His promise to David by allowing Solomon to finish the construction of the temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6). Bible Answer: 2 Samuel 12:8 does not record God's approval of polygamy but God's gift of the possessions that He gave David. In ( Deut 17:17 ), God forbid kings from taking multiple wives. Consequently, Bathsheba and David had sex at one of the best possible moments for her to conceivewhich she did, with tragic results. First, 2 Samuel 11:711 describes how David tried to attribute Bathsheba's pregnancy to Uriah. This article is part of our People from the Bible Series featuring the most well-known historical names and figures from Scripture. The Bible is clear that what David did was wrong and the Lord condemned him for his actions. He has contributed over 1,200 articles to various publications, including interviews for Christian Communicator and book reviews for The Evangelical Church Library Association. Next, David acquires Ahinoam as his wife, followed by Abigail, who impresses him with her wisdom and intelligence. Saul also had other concubines that are not included in this list. Bathsheba and David's Adultery Led Him to Greater Sins. Bathsheba is the wife most people associate with David . Bathsheba | Description & Biblical Account | Britannica "Bathsheba and David: Biblical Romance and Tragedy." Amnon David's oldest son grew up to be a selfish, licentious young man who was consumed with lust for his virgin half-sister Tamar. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. 1. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The Bible records at least twenty named children born to David and his many wives, though it is possible he had even more than those listed. He also lost the respect of his people, and his reputation was permanently besmirched. These were born to David at Hebron. The prophet Nathan rebuked David, and Bathshebas child died. When you post, you agree to the terms and conditions of our comments policy. In brokering peace and power for Israel among neighboring nations, Solomon acquired 1000 women. He did not set a godly example, and he did not call his children to live godly lives. And God not only forgave them, He even blessed their marriage with another child. Even though God favored his second son with Bathsheba, this doesnt mean that God wanted their relationship to happen. David sends for Bathshebas husband to come home to try to cover up his sin. Does it mean you cannot be forgiven or saved? Learn Religions. In an ancient kingdom, a king could kill anyone who disobeyed him. However, nothing in the Bible is accidental, it is all God-breathed and useful (2 Timothy 3:16-17). He gets distracted by power, fame, and success. We only know that David could do whatever he wanted to do. In addition to Davids free will to stop his adulterous and murderous actions at any point, God also sent Nathan to confront David and remind him that God demanded his obedience. You can choose not to excuse or normalize your behavior. How much of Absalom's arrogance and ambition was born of David's passivity and neglect in dealing with Amnon? Her future child(ren) would be raised within a context of sexual misconduct, manipulation, competition, cover-up, and violence just as Nathan predicted. The plan worked. Who Were David's Wives, and Why Should We Know Their Names? 2) The baby born from Davids sin would die; the death would show unbelieving nations that God did not approve of Davids sin. 10. Nathan told the powerful king a tale of a poor shepherd whose lamb was stolen by a rich man. God forgave Davidand usof any and all confessed sin. Abitalmarried David while he was in exile, and had a son named Shephatiah. This verse says unequivocally that when David sent messengers to fetch her, she went to David of her own free will. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Davids children repeated his sins. After Bathsheba mourns for her deceased husband, David sends for and marries Bathsheba. Most of the sons mentioned from these womencaused much strife and grief in Davids family. Comments containing telephone numbers or email addresses will not be approved. (James 4:4-10), Reach out for help. Years later, after Absalom killed his brother Amnon for what he did to Tamar, Absalom rebelled against David and forced him to flee Jerusalem. A guide for walking through all of Scripture in just a yearwith catch-up days built in. 2 Samuel 3:2-5 (NASB) Therefore, it appears that either 1) David never married Saul's wives, 2) the wives of Saul became David's wives or concubines since 2 Samuel 5:13-16 and 1 Chronicles 3:9 tells us that David had other wives and concubines or 3) David only cared for Saul's wives since they were . These were born to David in Hebron" (2 Samuel 3:2-5 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-3). Cynthia B. Astle is an award-winning journalist who covered religion for 25 years. Each of his first six wives bore David a son, while Bathsheba bore him four sons. Nothing encourages and inspires a child to follow God like a parent who walks with the Lord. Their names are not recorded. Even a heart like Davids can be deceitful and wicked. These deals on incredible witnessing and Bible resources dont last long! Ahinoam married David while he was in exile from Saul, and had Davids firstborn son, Amnon. David was not a perfect father, but he was still a man after God's own heart who loved God and loved his children. Spread the Word using these free digital resources from the ministry, including plug-ins, banners, and more. If you have a Bible question for Pastor Doug Batchelor or the Amazing Facts Bible answer team, please submit it by clicking here. David's mighty men were a group of his best thirty-seven fighters (later expanded to around eighty). Though He will not always reverse the consequences of our poor decisions, with genuine repentance we may return to Him. If you have perpetrated crimes or taken advantage of others, you can confess your sins and change your habits. David was married to Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacha, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah during the 7-1/2 years he reigned in Hebron as king of Judah. If we count the son who died in infancy after having been conceived through David's adulterous relationship with Bathsheba ( 2 Samuel 12:16-23 ), David . Bathsheba: Theres no doubt Bathsheba is the most known among Davids wives. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Still, we dont know if David named Solomon his successor because he favored Bathsheba, because God favored Solomon, or to compensate for everything Bathsheba had suffered. The Bible even refers to him as a "man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). Not exactly romantic. What is the story of David and Bathsheba? | GotQuestions.org We dont know. They watched his lust, self-indulgence, cover-ups, and sexual liaisons. Adonijah as David neared the end of his life, Adonijah, David's fourth son by his wife Haggith, exalted himself as king. He only notices Bathsheba because hes home when hes supposed to be leading his troops. The Holy Spirit is powerful enough to help you overcome trauma, guilt, or regret, but you might need professional help to navigate healing. There are several key places in the Bible that describe Davids wives. Listen to all of Amazing Facts audio programming whenever and wherever you go. What happened in the lives of David's children is mostly unknown; however, several of his sons, and one daughter, in particular, grew up to play a major role in David's later years and the future of Israel. And one said, "Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. A wife not covered in either list, Davids first wife, is mentioned in several stories about Davids exploit. Sadly, that judgment included the death of David and Bathsheba's infant son (verse 14). Ahinoam was the mother of Amnon, who raped his half-sister Tamar. Solomon was known for his many foreign wives, who were able to turn his heart away from God to foreign gods (1 Kings 11). Bathsheba is portrayed by the midrash as a modest woman who carefully observed the laws of family purity, but who found herself, without any conscious action on her part, in an adulterous affair with the king. Amon treated Tamar as a used and unwanted outcast, a reputation she likely carried for the rest of her life. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself" (Ezekiel 18:20). This theory suggests Bathsheba did not say "no" to David, but neither did she say "yes.". David consoled Bathsheba by getting her pregnant again, this time with a son the named Solomon. Also, the heinous sin David committed with Bathsheba resulted in David writing Psalm 51, which has long been a staple for all believers when we have given in to sin and need to repent. Depending on the length of a woman's period, this seven-day injunction before purification virtually guarantees that a woman will most likely be ovulating, or close to ovulating when she resumes having sex. While reading through this account, we inevitably stumble across the puzzling records ofKing Davids wives and concubines. Through his messengers, David learned that she was Bathsheba, wife of Uriah the Hittite, who had gone to battle for David. Who Committed Adultery in the Bible - Missional Manifesto And David did repent before the Lord. He won King Sauls daughter Michal for killing 400 Philistines and cutting off their foreskins. Eventually, all of his decisions were made poorly. He began making poor decisions in areas of his life where he didnt think it mattered. 2 Samuel 12:8 Why did God give David the wives of - NeverThirsty Solomon wrote in the Proverbs to "start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it," and for God-seeking parents, this is always the goal (Proverbs 22:6). The Brown commentary states "In this conduct David transgressed an express law, which forbade the king of Israel to multiply . The Jesus Revolution Comes to Hollywood: Will Thousands Be Converted? Ithream, whose mother was Eglah, yet another wife of David. Don't forget to listen to Bible Answers Live onSirius XM Family Talk 131this Sunday at 10:00pm ET/7:00pm PT.Find more ways to listen here! Sue Schlesmanis an award-winning author, teacher, and church leader. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. It would have been a cruel act for David to put away Bathsheba after the death of her husband and baby through his influence. David stopped grooming integrity. At this point David was desperate. Consumed with lust for power, Saul sought to destroy David because Gods favor rested on him, and David was deemed a contender for the throne (1 Samuel 18:12-16). The earlier we can identify and address problematic habits and behavior in our children, the better. In Davids old age, Adonijah declared himself king, and David had to quickly crown Solomon to clear matters up (1 King 1:5-52). will be automatically deleted and the invitation to participate revoked. But his pursuit of righteousness was a family trait. A beautiful woman, she became pregnant after David saw her bathing on a rooftop and had her brought to him. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. In his arrogance and lust for power, Absalom eventually turned the hearts of the people against his father and later succeeded in taking the throne of Israel, plunging the nation into a civil war (2 Samuel 15). Bathsheba told her aged husband that only their son Solomon remained loyal, so the king named Solomon his co-regent. Learn how your faithful giving helped thousands know Christ this last year. Absalom was later killed by David's commander Joab, against David's wishes (2 Samuel 18). How Many Wives Did King David Have and What Do We Know about Them? When notified, Abigail hurried to intercede on behalf of her husband. Nathan prophesied that Davids sin (metaphorically, the sword) would never depart from his family. May their lives and walks with God strengthen your faith and encourage your soul. Apart from the last point given in the previous section, Christians should know the accounts given of these women to strengthen their witness for Christ.