how many wives did david have before bathsheba

Because of Ruths choices, David, Solomon, Joseph, and Jesus came through her line. The biblical text implies that this ritual purification was the bath that David saw Bathsheba taking. As told in 2 Samuel 11-12, Bathsheba was married to Uriah, one of Davids mighty men (2 Samuel 23:39). 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. As the Apostle Paul says, the Law served to reveal our sin and shut all people up under sin (Galatians 3:19-22). While we talk a lot about his heroic might, we dont talk much about Davids wives. (2 Samuel 11:2-4) "David didn't invite Bathsheba. 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. 4 Things You May Not Know About Abraham in the Bible 20 Facts You May Not Know About Moses from the Bible Who Was Mary Magdalene in the Bible? David had four wives whose names we knowAhinoam, Abigail (2 Samuel 2:2), Eglah (2 Samuel 3:5), and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:27)and possibly others such as Absalom's mother Maakah. David asked Uriah why he didn't go home, and loyal Uriah replied that he wouldn't dream of having a conjugal visit when David's army at the front has no such opportunity. Chileab (or Daniel), whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal, who David married after the death her husband (1 Samuel 25).3. David already had three wives before he married Bathsheba. Ahinoam of Jezreel(1 Chr 3:1)(2 Sam 3:2)(2 Sam 2:2) A guide for walking through all of Scripture in just a yearwith catch-up days built in. Davids family life was by far his biggest failure. For the full story of David and Bathsheba please read 2 Samuel 11 and for the full story of Nathan confronting David and the consequences of David's actions read 2 Samuel 12. What Can Galileo Teach Us about Science and Faith? How Can I Recognize and Understand the Holy Spirit Better? Eglah married David while he was in exile, and had a son named Ithream. David raped Bathsheba and sent her home. How Many Wives Did King David Have and What Do We Know about Them? The world-renowned Amazing Facts Bible school will help you know Gods Word better than ever. If you have a Bible question for Pastor Doug Batchelor or the Amazing Facts Bible answer team, please submit it by clicking here. Claim: David "power raped" Bathsheba. The earlier we can identify and address problematic habits and behavior in our children, the better. Ahinoam was the mother of Amnon, who raped his half-sister Tamar. (1 John 1:9-10), David and Bathsheba's story is a traumatic one, but also one that God redeems. David betrayed his parental responsibilities. 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). Free will is a tremendous gift given to us by God because it enables our actions to have meaning and purpose; however, we can abuse it to do unspeakable things in pursuit of our selfish ambitions. Special insight and inspiration straight from the presidents desk. Why Was David Allowed to Take so Many Wives (and Who Were They)? 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. Ahinoam: Introduced in 1 Samuel 25:43, Ahinoam is mostly mentioned alongside Abigail, since both wives accompanied David together while He fled Saul. 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). When it came time to be paid, Nabal instead refused to pay David and his men. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. 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). In fact, it was probably one of his worst; and this sin had devastating consequences that rippled throughout David's family. Saul also had other concubines that are not included in this list. He gave them Solomon, whose name means Peace. He not only became the next king, but he was also blessed as an ancestor of the Messiah. After David had moved his kingdom to Jerusalem, where he ruled for thirty-three years, he had four more children with Bathsheba. Davids culture accepted polygamy and sexual misconduct from men of power. Bathsheba was a daughter of Eliam and was probably of noble birth. God calls us to holiness, not convenience. As mentioned earlier, Adonijah then used the almost concubine status of Abishag to try and get closer to the throne. Rather, God works through the effects of our sin to bring about His purposes, though He still abhors our sinful actions. God never did. Joel Ryanis an author, writing professor, and contributing writer for Salem Web Network and Lifeway. 1 Kings 1:4 says Abishag looked after the king and took care of him. Available atLifeAudio.com. David refused to discipline Amnon, so Tamars brother Absalom killed Amnon in revenge and fled to escape punishment (2 Samuel 13). In ( Deut 17:17 ), God forbid kings from taking multiple wives. (Proverbs 11:14), Lean into God for forgiveness, comfort, and direction. All rights reserved. In fact, the Bibles narrative makes it clear Davids marriage choices created big problems. When notified, Abigail hurried to intercede on behalf of her husband. https://www.learnreligions.com/bathsheba-king-davids-most-famous-wife-117306 (accessed May 2, 2023). David humbly refused and stated he was unworthy to be the kings son-in-law (1 Samuel 18:17-19). Its the false assumption Scripture condones all behavior recorded in the historical narratives of the Bible, especially if Gods disapproval is not explicitly expressed in the immediate context of the behaviors in question. Bathsheba is the wife most people associate with David . Comments that include name-calling, profanity, harassment, ridicule, etc. 9. 10. His many wives resulted in many children with rivalries and unhealthy relationships with each other. Astle, Cynthia. The second is that their stories show us a side of David we often forget. Adonijah was later executed by his brother Solomon for his insurrection and failed attempts to steal the throne (1 Kings 1-2). In the springtime, when all kings ride out to war, David neglected his responsibilities as king and sent Joab, the commander of his army, to fight in his stead. The plan worked. Most of the sons mentioned from these womencaused much strife and grief in Davids family. How Can I Recognize and Understand the Holy Spirit Better? The story reveals the consequences of feeding secret lustful desires. (2 Samuel 12:11-12) Although David fasted and prayed for a week for his baby to survive, God did not answer his request. Shortly after Davids affair with Bathsheba, Davids oldest son Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar. Hes angry hearing the story. But Uriah didn't go home; he stayed within the palace barracks. Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital, another of David's wives.6. When God gave Moses the Law, He established the moral and societal parameters within which He expected the nation of Israel to live. Parenting is never easy, and it really doesn't get easier or cheaper by the dozen, as the saying goes. (Galatians 5:16-21), Biblical parenting is counter-cultural. 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). Even though God favored his second son with Bathsheba, this doesnt mean that God wanted their relationship to happen. David sent this letter to Joab by Uriah, who had no idea that he was carrying his own death sentence. The implication seems to be if Adonijah married a woman whod been on intimate terms with David, it would be like marrying one of Davids wives: a claim to power and succession. They are as follows: Michal:She is the first of Davids wives. You read that correctly, God recorded Davids polygamous lifestyle for our instruction and encouragement. 3 Surprising Reasons to Be Like Doubting Thomas, 4 Reasons Why We Have a Hard Time Talking about Loneliness. David and Solomon would have grown up hearing the stories of Gods redemption of their family line through Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer. Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, David's fifth wife.5. As a result, David took up arms with 400 of his men to seek vengeance and completely wipe out Nabals family line by killing all males. 1 Chronicles 3:1-4 states that King David's first seven wives gave him six children, while they lived in Hebron. Abital(1 Chr 3:3)(2 Sam 3:4) 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). David used several different women to balance out his faults. Years later, Absalom became convinced he could do a better job as king than his seemingly passive father. He began making poor decisions in areas of his life where he didnt think it mattered. 1 Chronicles 3:1-9 lists sons that David had with seven women, six of which he married while living in exile in Hebron. Please reach out to a trusted pastor, counselor, therapist, or friend and share your struggles. Cynthia B. Astle is an award-winning journalist who covered religion for 25 years. Amazing Facts quarterly guide featuring news, articles, Bible answers, and more. This article is part of our People from the Bible Series featuring the most well-known historical names and figures from Scripture. Products that will appeal to the young and young at heart. Also, we find hope. 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 . 2 Samuel 11:1 records that the king sent his army out to wage war, but he himself stayed behind in Jerusalem. Article Images Copyright . Saul had no choice but to give Michal to David as his wife (1 Samuel 18:20-27). Nathan told the powerful king a tale of a poor shepherd whose lamb was stolen by a rich man. Learn Religions, Sep. 10, 2021, learnreligions.com/bathsheba-king-davids-most-famous-wife-117306. Like most of us, David must have grown tired of fighting spiritual and physical enemies. In fact, this would fulfill a prophecy Nathan gave when he rebuked David for his infidelity: someone in his household would rebel against him, someone who would shame David by sleeping with Davids wives in public (2 Samuel 12:11-12). 4 Things You May Not Know About Abraham in the Bible 20 Facts You May Not Know About Moses from the Bible Who Was Mary Magdalene in the Bible? 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. In his old age, David could no longer stay warm in bed, so his advisors found a young virgin named Abishag to sleep in the same bed with David and provide warmth. From that time forward, Michal despises David (2 Samuel 6:16). Next, David acquires Ahinoam as his wife, followed by Abigail, who impresses him with her wisdom and intelligence. Updated on May 07, 2019. 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). He gave them Solomon, whose name means "Peace.". News reached Saul that his daughter, Michal, loved David. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. 2. Later, Saul takes Michal away from David and marries her to another man, Paltiel. David killed a lot of people in battle. She gave birth to . Is it any wonder that Amnon, Absalom, and even Solomon would also be caught in sexual sin later in life? The story of Bathsheba and David has proved so enduring that religious commentators still debate the quality of the sin involvedand its plot has been borrowed for countless romance novels, movies, and daytime dramas. 10 Things You Need to Know about the Number 666, 10 Books of the Bible You Should Read Again and Again, 10 Most Encouraging Bible Verses That Will Uplift Your Heart and Soul, 5 Things That Hurt Relationships with Grandkids, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God, How to Have Joy in Your Golden Years Despite These 10 Life Losses, 4 Things You Should Know about Big George Foreman, 8 Ways You Are Belittling Your Husband and What God Says about It, Maybe Money Can Buy Happiness, but Not Joy. They are: -Japhia-Elishama-Eliada-Eliphelet-Tamar, the only daughter named amongst David's children. However, after Solomon became king, Adonijah used Bathsheba to ask Solomon a favor: he wanted Abishags hand in marriage (1 Kings 2:13-23). After Abigail told her husband that she saved him, Nabal had a heart attack and died. God explicitly prohibited polygamy. But Nathans prophecies still come true. For example, Bathsheba bore Solomon to David, and he was part of Jesus genealogy (Matthew 1:6-7). He gets distracted by power, fame, and success. Worship with Pastor Dougs church each week, featuring beautiful music and life-changing Bible study. We dont know. Even though David had committed sins worthy of execution, said Nathan, God instead exacted judgment upon David and Bathsheba's newborn son, who subsequently died. It is told in the book of 2 Samuel 11. 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! This trend continued through the succession of Israel's kings. Our sins always affect future generations. Did King David Rape Bathsheba? Stephen Baker is a graduate of Mount Union University. David slept with Bathsheba and arranged for Uriahs death when he discovered Bathsheba was pregnant (2 Samuel 11:14-27). Listen to all of Amazing Facts audio programming whenever and wherever you go. Davids background influenced him. 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. If God remained faithful to David in spite of his failings, we can rest assured He will remain faithful to us despite ours. Thus King David was relaxing on a palace balcony above the city when he spied a beautiful woman taking a bath. Dig into the Word and become a Bible expert with Amazing Facts line of study Bibles and more. Three of these wives, Michal, Abigail, and Bathsheba, are prominent in Scripture, but the other 5 are mentioned only in the verses given in the chart. David is an important figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. God gave David many opportunities to resist temptation. In 2 Samuel 12, the prophet Nathan confronts David concerning his sin with Bathsheba and pronounces a judgment against David. She loves traveling, reading, missions, art, and dessert. Bathsheba was King David's most famous and controversial wife, in part because their marriage came after an illicit extramarital affair at the height of David's reign over Judah and Israel (circa 1005965 BCE). It stands as a clear warning to every leader, every spouse, and every believer who loves God and feels secure in their own perspectives. (Actually, Saul promised David his older daughter Merab, hoping the Philistines would kill David. Whereas Saul lacked sufficient self-confidence to lead the nation appropriately, David was ever sure of himself [an important component of true trust in Gd] yet knew to repent in an instant and keep his teshuvah alive . 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. Some of David's children did; many did not. The Bible doesnt outright say which of Davids wives he favored the most, nor does it give us enough information to guess. First, 2 Samuel 11:711 describes how David tried to attribute Bathsheba's pregnancy to Uriah. After David moved his capital to Jerusalem, he married Bathsheba. Who Was Isaiah & Why Was He Important? Bad decisions have lasting consequences. He had a daughter named Michal, who King Saul had given him in exchange for killing 400 Philistines. Since the Bible doesnt give us many details about Davids wives, and many of the details we get are so sad, its easy to wonder why we should study their story. She finds out shes pregnant. God always opens pathways to repentance and freedom for us and provides escape routes for every temptation we encounter (1 Corinthians 10:13) If we ignore those, God will provide conviction when we sin (1 John 1:9). David was not a perfect father, but he was still a man after God's own heart who loved God and loved his children. God exercises His power in harmony with our free will (even our sinful decisions) to accomplish His divine purposes. David's history suggests that he used many women to balance out his faults (lust, violence, and ego). Although Nathan is the third son raised by David and Bathsheba, he is the fourth born to Bathsheba. However, the love, discipline, instruction, and example set by godly parents can make all the difference in the lives of our children, and there's a lot we can learn from David's own parental trials and failures. Once he found out Bathsheba's identity, he knew that she was married and he had sent her husband off to war. We only know that David could do whatever he wanted to do. The latest information on all of Pastor Dougs upcoming events. David tries again the next night, this time getting Uriah drunk. The story of David and Bathsheba is one of the most dramatic accounts in the Old Testament. David flew into a rage, demanding to know who the man was so that he could exact judgment on him. Amnom would create much grief for David and the rest of the family when he molested his half-sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13). Bathsheba had no rights. A:We cannot not know for certain how many wives David had. The story of Bathsheba and David has proved so enduring that religious commentators still debate the quality . According to 1 Kings 1:11, the prophet Nathan urged Bathsheba to tell David that Adonijah was preparing to take the throne by force. May their lives and walks with God strengthen your faith and encourage your soul. Incongruence happens when we ignore or disobey Gods laws. As the prophet Ezekiel wrote, "the soul who sins shall die. As the last of Jesses eight sons, Jesse thought David was unimportant, and his brothers thought he was an annoying pest (1 Samuel 16-17). When you post, you agree to the terms and conditions of our comments policy. She and her husband Shane are launching a podcast called Stress Test: the heartbeat of healthy leadership in late April, 2023. All of these theories have some evidence behind them and leave us with something to chew on. The gifts had previously been given to King Saul. David took her back after he became king of Judah (2 Samuel 3:12-6). The first is that everything in the Bible is worth learning on some level. However, these lists only mention the wives that David had sons with, and the 1 Chronicles list ends with these were the sons of David, not including his sons born to concubines (1 Chronicles 3:9). Many Christians purposefully neglect studying the Mosaic Law. Abigail: Davids second wife, Abigail, is found in 1 Samuel 25 during the saga of Davids life when he fled King Saul. I dont think so. And God not only forgave them, He even blessed their marriage with another child. Answer. But his pursuit of righteousness was a family trait. He killed a lot of prisoners after battles. Article Images Copyright , 10 Things to Know about the Story of David and Bathsheba. Admittedly, its not always the most exciting part of the Bible to read, however it is incredibly important for understanding the historical accounts recorded. Family disputes can cause rifts that take years to mend. You can choose not to excuse or normalize your behavior. Learning about Davids poor choices, and the results of those choices help us to understand he was more than the heroic figure we discover in Sunday School. When David died, Solomon became king after executing his rival Adonijah. Though He will not always reverse the consequences of our poor decisions, with genuine repentance we may return to Him. Understanding the latest news through a biblical lens. Some details may not have major stories attached, and not all of them have detailed themes or takeaways. The infamous account of how she became Davids wife is found in 2 Samuel 11. Bathsheba mourned the death of her husband and David took her as his wife after her time of mourning. 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. All in all, the Bible makes it clear that Davids polygamy created an enormous amount of pain. Maacah, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah:Scripture does not give much detail about these four wives other than the fact they all bore sons to David while he dwelt in Hebron. David clearly struggled with this many times. Featuring courses and local seminars on how to be a better witness in your community. Davids character influenced his childrens character. This theory suggests Bathsheba did not say "no" to David, but neither did she say "yes.". To establish his authority as the new king, Absalom took ten of his fathers concubines and slept with them in public (2 Samuel 16:15-23). Learn Religions. 2 Samuel 12:10-12 . Consequently, Bathsheba and David had sex at one of the best possible moments for her to conceivewhich she did, with tragic results. ), so he goes for a walk on the roof. (Ephesians 6:10-18). But the king had no sexual relations with her. So, Abishag slept with the king, but not (if youll forgive the pun) in the Biblical sense.. Each of his first six wives bore David a son, while Bathsheba bore him four sons. The Bible doesn't mention the circumstances of David's marriage to Bathsheba, but it does mention that he had three wives before Bathsheba. However, while we may see David as a legend and hero of the faith, we must also remember that he was just as much a son, a brother, a husband, and a father as he was a king or a warrior. Even so, it wasnt too late to ask for forgiveness and return to intimacy with the Father. 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. He has contributed over 1,200 articles to various publications, including interviews for Christian Communicator and book reviews for The Evangelical Church Library Association. 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 story of David and Bathsheba is told in 2 Samuel 11 and 12, set against the backdrop of David's war against the Ammonites, a tribe from a region east of the Dead Sea that is now part of present-day Jordan. Our sin nature gravitates toward selfishness and self-pleasure. Adonijah would be Davids oldest living son by the time David died and would try to claim the throne for himself. And he executed plenty of criminals. Even if Bathsheba played a part, scriptures deem David's sin in their affair to be greater for two reasons. Discover all the informative and inspiring books from the speaker and president of Amazing Facts. David offered his services to a man named Nabal, Abigails husband before David. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com.

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