We know that David's first children were born in Hebron, where David was made king following the death of Saul (2 Samuel 2:1-4, 1 Chronicles 3:4). Incongruence happens when we ignore or disobey Gods laws. Ahinoam married David while he was in exile from Saul, and had Davids firstborn son, Amnon. Helping you get the most out of your Sabbath School quarterly every week. When God gave Moses the Law, He established the moral and societal parameters within which He expected the nation of Israel to live. The true king of Israel, the messiah and the one who would sit on the eternal throne, would be an heir of King David (2 Samuel 7:12; Psalms 89:3-4; Psalms 132:11). Some of David's children did; many did not. There are several key places in the Bible that describe Davids wives. Find out more about his work here. Our flagship program features the most informative and inspiring messages from Pastor Doug and more. Bathsheba was a daughter of Eliam and was probably of noble birth. 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. Eventually, Absalom was ousted and killed (2 Samuel 18), but the troubles continued. Following is a list of the wives of David that we know the names of, along with where they were from, and Bible verses that mention them. When he heard this, David took Abigail as his wife. ***Note: Based upon (2 Sam 12:8), some believe that after Saul died, David married his wives. They are all mentioned in 2 Samuel 3:2-5 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-3. She later helped David escape before her father could kill him (1 Samuel 19:11-18) and was married off to a man named Palti. It would have been a cruel act for David to put away Bathsheba after the death of her husband and baby through his influence. As Davids life shows, nothing good comes of pretending a sin doesnt exist. Prior to fleeing from King Saul, David had also married Michal, the daughter of Saul (1 Samuel 18:27-28). Learn Religions. God removes Davids guilt and shame, but God does not remove the natural consequences that Davids sinful patterns produced. 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). While reading through this account, we inevitably stumble across the puzzling records ofKing Davids wives and concubines. Gods providence. He attends Faith Fellowship Church in East Rochester, OH where he has given multiple sermons and is discipled by pastor Chet Howes. Adonijah would be Davids oldest living son by the time David died and would try to claim the throne for himself. Later she and David had a second son, Solomon, who God favored (2 Samuel 12:25). 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. He need only give 100 Philistine foreskins as dowry. Thus, it also means that he was between 44-48 years old when he first encountered Bathsheba, who was 7-9 years old. Nathan told David a few scary consequences of his sin: 1) His secret sin would be made public. Abital(1 Chr 3:3)(2 Sam 3:4) Abigail: Davids second wife, Abigail, is found in 1 Samuel 25 during the saga of Davids life when he fled King Saul. Though David had (probably) eight wives and (probably) 10 concubines, King Solomon seemed to take things up a notch in a Biblical case of "hold my beer." According to 1 Kings 11, Solomon was recorded to have at least 700 wives (though the text itself only mentions those wives "of royal birth"), and at least 300 concubines. 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? 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. Our sins always affect future generations. https://www.learnreligions.com/bathsheba-king-davids-most-famous-wife-117306 (accessed May 2, 2023). We dont know. I dont think so. 1 Chronicles 3:1-4 states that King David's first seven wives gave him six children, while they lived in Hebron. Here are the eight wives: Michalwas Davids original wife, Sauls daughter whom David won by killing 100 Philistines (1 Samuel 18:24-27). Michal, however, did not bear David any children (2 Samuel 6:23). By failing to provide justice for his daughter, David not only failed Tamar, but he also failed Amnon, whose sin had gone unpunished. 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). David repents and worships. He had a daughter named Michal, who King Saul had given him in exchange for killing 400 Philistines. All rights reserved. The womens pagan backgrounds wooed Solomon away from truth and introduced Israel to idolatry. Shortly after Davids affair with Bathsheba, Davids oldest son Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar. The fact she had no children could mean they became estranged. The Bible doesnt outright say which of Davids wives he favored the most, nor does it give us enough information to guess. The Rabbis are concerned with the causes and harsh consequences of David's sin, but completely disregard Bathsheba's . Who Were King David's Wives in the Bible - Names and Importance Even though God favored his second son with Bathsheba, this doesnt mean that God wanted their relationship to happen. We know Michal was devoted to David, enough to hide him from her own father. But David was foiled again; drunk though he was, honorable Uriah returned to the barracks and not to his wife. When it came time to be paid, Nabal instead refused to pay David and his men. 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. We know that David married many more wives other than the seven listed by name. He is the writer of a special Scripture study/reflection addendum to Someplace to Be Somebody, authored by his wife, Lisa Loraine Baker (End Game Press Spring 2022). See how your gifts made a lasting difference recently. 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. 7 Bibliography. Abigail wisely entreated David not to kill Nabal, and he had mercy. 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. 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. 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. URGENT! As a result, Bathsheba became pregnant with their illegitimate child and told David he was the father. The names of the eight wives of King David were: Michal, Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacha, Haggith, Abital, Egla and Bathsheba . 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. For example, Bathsheba bore Solomon to David, and he was part of Jesus genealogy (Matthew 1:6-7). Instead, God gave David a second son (Solomon) later onand this son becomes the next king of Israel (leap-frogging over his older brothers from other marriages). That child died shortly after birth as a consequence of David's sin, which the prophet Nathan warned of (2 Samuel 12:14-23). How many children did King David have? | GotQuestions.org Each of his first six wives bore David a son, while Bathsheba bore him four sons. Early intervention, discipline, and instruction could mean the difference between life and death later on. 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. Davids background influenced him. Bathsheba, however, would go on to have three additional sons with David. As the prophet Ezekiel wrote, "the soul who sins shall die. David refused to discipline Amnon, so Tamars brother Absalom killed Amnon in revenge and fled to escape punishment (2 Samuel 13). Keep in mind, he stayed on his face for seven days in genuine contrition and grief for his sinsbegging God for mercy. 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. 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. In all of Scripture, the life of David may be the most dramatic recorded. It doesnt matter how hard we try to thwart Gods plans; He will always accomplish exactly what He intends. Are they more prone to sexual sin than regular people? However, God's mercies are proven to be far more powerful than any sin or parental mistake(Deuteronomy 5:9-10). He asks someone who she is (Shes Bathsheba, married to Uriah, one of your elite fighting men). After this, the Lord struck Nabal and took his life. Solomon as David's life on earth came to an end, God chose Solomon, Bathsheba's fourth son, to succeed David as king of Israel. Eglah married David while he was in exile, and had a son named Ithream. But one killing in particular "displeased the Lord" (2 Samuel 11:27). Abitalmarried David while he was in exile, and had a son named Shephatiah. Haggithmarried David while he was in exile, and had a son named Adonijah. Whether Bathsheba is guilty or not, is less important in the Bible than the guilt of the king himself: Nathan comes to David, not Bathsheba, to point out the error of his ways. Altogether, scripture records that David had 19 sons by . How many of them learned these bad habits from their father? He also lost the respect of his people, and his reputation was permanently besmirched. Davids passages of confession and repentance are some of the most-read and most encouraging Psalms in Scripture. 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. According to the Bible, his first wife was Michal, the daughter of King Saul. David and Bathsheba Bible Story and 10 Important Lessons Related: Listen to our FREE Bible podcast,How to Study the Bible! A beautiful woman, she became pregnant after David saw her bathing on a rooftop and had her brought to him. God restored David to intimate spiritual fellowship. There is a dangerous assumption which accompanies many Bible readers and serves as the root of numerous stumbling blocks. In the city of Jerusalem, David's eighth wife, Bathsheba, gave him four sons after the death of her first son. 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). It is told in the book of 2 Samuel 11. As mentioned earlier, Adonijah then used the almost concubine status of Abishag to try and get closer to the throne. How Can I Recognize and Understand the Holy Spirit Better? In every time and season, there is an opportunity to share hope in Christ. The infamous account of how she became Davids wife is found in 2 Samuel 11. It stands as a clear warning to every leader, every spouse, and every believer who loves God and feels secure in their own perspectives. We dont know about five of his wives other than which sons they bore. Sue Schlesmanis an award-winning author, teacher, and church leader. How to Have Joy in Your Golden Years Despite These 10 Life 4 Things You May Not Know About Abraham in the Bible, 20 Facts You May Not Know About Moses from the Bible, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Adonijah was later executed by his brother Solomon for his insurrection and failed attempts to steal the throne (1 Kings 1-2). While we talk a lot about his heroic might, we dont talk much about Davids wives. David tries again the next night, this time getting Uriah drunk. Who Were the 12 Disciples of Jesus? Number, names and stories. Then Nathan reveals that the story is about Davids sin against Bathsheba and Uriah. The earlier we can identify and address problematic habits and behavior in our children, the better. Saul also had other concubines that are not included in this list. God calls us to holiness, not convenience. Nothing encourages and inspires a child to follow God like a parent who walks with the Lord. Years later, after Absalom killed his brother Amnon for what he did to Tamar, Absalom rebelled against David and forced him to flee Jerusalem. As parents, sometimes we must rebuild and repair this foundation when cracks begin to form. Let the demise of Absalom, Amnon, and Adonijah be our warning. 2. Sue is a top-contributor to Salem Web Network radio ministry and Crosswalk.com. If Christians are not ready, they will get blind-sided by such objections and may even suffer doubt of their own faith. Pastor and therapist Ted Roberts gives an interesting theory in his book Pure Desire and other resources: David may have been stuck in a cycle of sexual bondage. Like many men struggling with pornography or sexual issues, David had a harsh relationship with his father, who called David his youngest son, using a Hebrew word that also means unimportant. Men with sexual issues also have illicit behavior they try to hide (David hid his affair with Bathsheba), and pass on their dysfunctional behavior to their children without ever confronting the problem (Amnon rapes his half-sister, David got angry but did nothing about it). This doesn't count the concubines he had (2 Samuel 5:13). On-demand Amazing Facts audio featuring a wealth of spiritual guidance and inspiration. 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). Family disputes can cause rifts that take years to mend. Why did God punish David and Bathsheba's innocent child with death? Ithream, whose mother was Eglah, yet another wife of David. He has contributed over 1,200 articles to various publications, including interviews for Christian Communicator and book reviews for The Evangelical Church Library Association. Discover all the informative and inspiring books from the speaker and president of Amazing Facts. Again, with sinister motives, Saul told David he could still become his son-in-law by marrying Michal. How Many Wives Did King David Have and What Do We Know about Them? In fact, it was probably one of his worst; and this sin had devastating consequences that rippled throughout David's family. The gifts had previously been given to King Saul. (2 Samuel 11:2-4) "David didn't invite Bathsheba. They are: -Japhia-Elishama-Eliada-Eliphelet-Tamar, the only daughter named amongst David's children. Before David took the throne, he used his power to serve others, perhaps most notably the defenseless cities of Keilah and Ziklag (1 Samuel 23:1-14; 30:1-31), but with Bathsheba he abused his power first to serve his lust, and then to preserve his reputation. ), so he goes for a walk on the roof. David offered his services to a man named Nabal, Abigails husband before David. Solomon responded by having Adonijah killed (1 Kings 2:25). We don't know if David dealt with Amnon's sin following Tamar's rape, but there's not much evidence in the Bible to confirm that he did much of anything. He talks to Uriah about the battle and sends him home so hell sleep with his wife and the affair will be hidden. While reading through Davids life, it is evident he did not always make good decisions. The biblical text implies that this ritual purification was the bath that David saw Bathsheba taking. Saul had no choice but to give Michal to David as his wife ( 1 Samuel 18:20-27 ). Adultery is still sin. Davids laziness in rooting out lust overlaps into a laziness of calling and purpose. Learn how your faithful giving helped thousands know Christ this last year. 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. Their later marriage seems to have been close ( 2 Samuel 12:24) and loyal ( 1 Kings 1:28-31 ). Amazing Facts is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, Download AF Radio App for iPhone or Android. This theory suggests Bathsheba did not say "no" to David, but neither did she say "yes.". Although Nathan is the third son raised by David and Bathsheba, he is the fourth born to Bathsheba. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. We strive to approve comments the day they are made, but please allow at least 24 hours for your comment to appear. A total of nineteen sons are named here. Unfortunately, this is where David failed many of his other children. 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. Even knowing she was another man's wife, David . Abigail of Carmel(1 Chr 3:1)(2 Sam 3:3)(2 Sam 2:2) The stories and names of some of them have transcended more in history, while others have simply been mentioned without specifying the origin. And God not only forgave them, He even blessed their marriage with another child. This article is part of our People from the Bible Series featuring the most well-known historical names and figures from Scripture. Others have speculated that in the pagan societies surrounding Israel, having multiple wives was a way kings showed their power. Who Are King David's Children in the Bible? Thus King David was relaxing on a palace balcony above the city when he spied a beautiful woman taking a bath. Parenting is never easy, and it really doesn't get easier or cheaper by the dozen, as the saying goes. 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. None of this is necessary and it can be avoided if Christians take their studies of the Scripture seriously instead of shying away from difficult passages in the Bible. Davids culture accepted polygamy and sexual misconduct from men of power. Like many things in life, we are all impacted by the choices and behavior of our parents. He began making poor decisions in areas of his life where he didnt think it mattered. King David and His Wives - David married many women in the course of 3 Surprising Reasons to Be Like Doubting Thomas, 4 Reasons Why We Have a Hard Time Talking about Loneliness. All 27 lessons of our popular Bible lesson series available at the click of your mouse. While David did some great and wise things, he didnt always do the right thing. 2. Available atLifeAudio.com. Who Was Isaiah & Why Was He Important? Saul reneged and gave him Michal instead because she was infatuated with David and Saul thought he could use her to get to David (1 Samuel 18:17-20). He not only became the next king, but he was also blessed as an ancestor of the Messiah. Bathsheba, married David after he famously murdered her husband Uriah (2 Samuel 11). The Bible also mentions a woman who was not strictly a wife or a concubine, but close enough that it became a problem. David asked his servants about her and was told she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of David's mighty . Instead of owning up to the liaison and making restitution, David took an even more sinful approach to the crisis. Listen to all of Amazing Facts audio programming whenever and wherever you go. 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). This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Free Will. Access to our entire media library in one easy-to-use and easy-to-search location. How many of David's sons became lustful, greedy, and ambitious like their father? The fact that an innocent child diesinstead of the guilty pairis troubling in light of what we know of God's . Astle, Cynthia. If God remained faithful to David in spite of his failings, we can rest assured He will remain faithful to us despite ours. Bathsheba and David's Adultery Led Him to Greater Sins. 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. Bathsheba told her aged husband that only their son Solomon remained loyal, so the king named Solomon his co-regent. However, most scholars believe there were two ladies named Ahinoam. The best evidence pointing to this is that Davids wife Ahinoam is always referred to as Ahinoam of Jezreel (1 Sam 25:43) or Ahinoam the Jezreelitess (1 Sam 27:3)(1 Sam 30:5)(2 Sam 2:2)(2 Sam 3:2)(1 Chr 3:1), while Sauls wife Ahinoam is referred to as the daughter of Ahimazz (1 Sam 14:50). All in all, the Bible makes it clear that Davids polygamy created an enormous amount of pain. Now the pressure was really on the king, who might have concealed his affair with Bathsheba, but couldn't hide her pregnancy for long. 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. (Proverbs 11:14), Lean into God for forgiveness, comfort, and direction. 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. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. 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. David sends for Bathshebas husband to come home to try to cover up his sin. His first six sons, recorded in 2 Samuel 3:1-5 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-4, are: 1. But God blessed Bathsheba with her son Solomon who would become king after his father. 2 Samuel 5 says "David married more wives in Jerusalem.". [1] He was a younger brother of Shammuah (sometimes referred to as Shammua or Shimea), Shobab, and Solomon. Nathan reminded David that his sin had removed Gods protection and blessing from his life. 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). He married 700 women of noble birth and took 300 concubines. Rather, God works through the effects of our sin to bring about His purposes, though He still abhors our sinful actions. May their lives and walks with God strengthen your faith and encourage your soul. While he walked around on the roof of his house, David spied the married woman, Bathsheba, bathing. As told in 2 Samuel 11-12, Bathsheba was married to Uriah, one of Davids mighty men (2 Samuel 23:39). You can choose not to excuse or normalize your behavior. Understanding the latest news through a biblical lens. At first, David called Bathshebas husband, Uriah, away from the battle to give him a report of the army. As the Apostle Paul says, the Law served to reveal our sin and shut all people up under sin (Galatians 3:19-22). She gave birth to . Unfortunately, neglect and sins of omission in parenting have lasting consequences in the lives of our children, who we are called to instruct, discipline, and lovingly reprove (Ephesians 6:4). Absolutely not! Who was King David's favorite wife? - remodelormove.com In 2 Samuel 12, the prophet Nathan confronts David concerning his sin with Bathsheba and pronounces a judgment against David. David also had a son with Bathsheba before she bore Solomon. Admittedly, its not always the most exciting part of the Bible to read, however it is incredibly important for understanding the historical accounts recorded. 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.. The latest information on all of Pastor Dougs upcoming events. How to Have Joy in Your Golden Years Despite These 10 Life 4 Things You May Not Know About Abraham in the Bible, 20 Facts You May Not Know About Moses from the Bible, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. He was a man after Gods own heart, but that doesnt mean he got everything right. However, its not clear if they reconciled after she rebuked David. Learn Religions, Sep. 10, 2021, learnreligions.com/bathsheba-king-davids-most-famous-wife-117306. Sign up for your daily dose of spiritual insight and encouragement from Amazing Facts. Special insight and inspiration straight from the presidents desk. The Bible states he had many wives, but never adds anything like and this was accorded to him as wisdom which would imply God approved. Solomon replied, you might as well ask me to give him the kingdom! (1 Kings 2:22). "The third, Absalom the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; and the sixth, Ithream the son of David's wife Eglah. She has authored a number of books on faith and religion. According to Jewish purity laws, a woman must wait seven days after her menses end before purifying herself ritually in a mikvah, a special immersion pool, so that she and her husband may resume sexual relations. 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. From these unions, the Bible names nineteen sons and one daughter, Tamar ( 1 Chronicles 3:1-9 ). 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. All rights reserved. In other words, she was not truly willing to sleep with him, but he was the king. The sad story of David's wife Bathsheba is well-known (2 Samuel 11:1-17). Chileab (or Daniel), whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal, who David married after the death her husband (1 Samuel 25).3.
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