After she was taken away from him, he married Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah. David thought he pulled off this caper until the prophet Nathan came to visit in 2 Samuel 12. Comments containing telephone numbers or email addresses will not be approved. After Amnon raped Tamar, Absalom killed him (2 Samuel 13:23-38). Even so, it wasnt too late to ask for forgiveness and return to intimacy with the Father. How Many Wives Did King David Have and What Do We Know about Them? California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Our sins always affect future generations. The biblical text implies that this ritual purification was the bath that David saw Bathsheba taking. Because of King Saul's sin, which is recorded in 1 Samuel 15:10-23, Saul lost the kingdom given to him by God. The story of David and Bathsheba is one of the most dramatic accounts in the Old Testament. The Shocking Truth About Bathsheba's Marriage to David in the Bible Again, with sinister motives, Saul told David he could still become his son-in-law by marrying Michal. Later, Saul takes Michal away from David and marries her to another man, Paltiel. When hes not writing stories and defending biblical truth, Joel is committed to helping young men find purpose in Christ and become fearless disciples and bold leaders in their homes, in the church, and in the world. 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. 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. Bathsheba, Mother of Solomon, Wife of King David, David and Goliath Bible Story Study Guide, Battle of Jericho Bible Story Study Guide, Meet Absalom, Rebellious Son of King David, Was It Rape? Please be patient. David refused to discipline Amnon, so Tamars brother Absalom killed Amnon in revenge and fled to escape punishment (2 Samuel 13). What Makes Twila Paris a Great Christian Musician? He won King Sauls daughter Michal for killing 400 Philistines and cutting off their foreskins. 4. 3) Davids actions would be repeated in his family for generations. Eglah(1 Chr 3:3)(2 Sam 3:5) It would have been a cruel act for David to put away Bathsheba after the death of her husband and baby through his influence. Incongruence happens when we ignore or disobey Gods laws. How Many Wives Did King David Have? - Grunge 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. 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). How many wives did King David have? | GotQuestions.org 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. 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. Davids history suggests that he used many women to balance out his faults (lust, violence, and ego). ***Note: Based upon (2 Sam 12:8), some believe that after Saul died, David married his wives. (1 John 1:9-10), David and Bathsheba's story is a traumatic one, but also one that God redeems. Its more of an example of God taking a sinful situation and working some good from it, much as Joseph getting thrown into prison led to him meeting the Pharaoh (Genesis 41). What is the story of David and Bathsheba? | GotQuestions.org 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 David did some great and wise things, he didnt always do the right thing. Did Bathsheba Sin with David? | Desiring God 5. 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. Ithream, whose mother was Eglah, yet another wife of David. Confession and repentance not only makes our hearts whole again; it also resets our physical and emotional states. Once he found out Bathsheba's identity, he knew that she was married and he had sent her husband off to war. Despite Joab's action, Uriah and other officers were killed. Bathsheba: Midrash and Aggadah | Jewish Women's Archive Joel Ryanis an author, writing professor, and contributing writer for Salem Web Network and Lifeway. 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). Absalom Absalom, David's third son, or at least the third in line, was handsome, cunning, ambitious, and hot-tempered. Thus, it also means that he was between 44-48 years old when he first encountered Bathsheba, who was 7-9 years old. 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. Regarding Davids wives, we have a grim reminder of what happens when we neglect to live as God commands. David plotted to have Uriah killed. 3 Surprising Reasons to Be Like Doubting Thomas, 4 Reasons Why We Have a Hard Time Talking about Loneliness. To consummate his insurrection, Absalom slept with his father's concubines in public for everyone to see (2 Samuel 16:20-23). Saul had no choice but to give Michal to David as his wife ( 1 Samuel 18:20-27 ). He need only give 100 Philistine foreskins as dowry. He had the capacity to make choices which either adhered to Gods Word or blatantly disobeyed it. It is told in the book of 2 Samuel 11. Bathsheba Was King David's Most Famous Wife David had eight named wives, others unnamed, and an unknown number of concubines. Doing the right thing, regardless of circumstances, is true righteousness. His son Solomon expanded the empire that David built. David had seven wives prior to Bathsheba. However, after Solomon became king, Adonijah used Bathsheba to ask Solomon a favor: he wanted Abishags hand in marriage (1 Kings 2:13-23). He did not set a godly example, and he did not call his children to live godly lives. These were born to David in Hebron" (2 Samuel 3:2-5 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-3). 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. 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). 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. A beautiful woman, she became pregnant after David saw her bathing on a rooftop and had her brought to him. 2 Samuel 12:10-12 . However, no matter how faithful or righteous David may have been, David's children and descendants were responsible for their actions and accountable to God for their choices, not David's (Deuteronomy 24:16). The Jesus Revolution Comes to Hollywood: Will Thousands Be Converted? Does 2 Samuel 12:8 mean God approved of David's polygamy? 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. David was many things in life. Next, David acquires Ahinoam as his wife, followed by Abigail, who impresses him with her wisdom and intelligence. David humbly refused and stated he was unworthy to be the kings son-in-law (1 Samuel 18:17-19). However, God's mercies are proven to be far more powerful than any sin or parental mistake(Deuteronomy 5:9-10). 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. (2 Samuel 11:2-4) "David didn't invite Bathsheba. What Can Galileo Teach Us about Science and Faith? The fact that an innocent child diesinstead of the guilty pairis troubling in light of what we know of God's . How much of Absalom's arrogance and ambition was born of David's passivity and neglect in dealing with Amnon? He didn't trick her. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. (Because Michal was childless [2 Sam 6:23], it appears that she helped raise her sister Merabs 5 sons [2 Sam 21:8 see KJV translation].). How Many Wives Did King David Have and What Do We Know about Them? They are as follows: Michal:She is the first of Davids wives. 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). Prior to fleeing from King Saul, David had also married Michal, the daughter of Saul (1 Samuel 18:27-28). David raped Bathsheba and sent her home. She gave birth to . Other wives gave birth to nine more sons. It doesnt matter how hard we try to thwart Gods plans; He will always accomplish exactly what He intends. 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. David asked his servants about her and was told she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of David's mighty . Sue is agented withKaren Neumair atCredo Communications. Nathan told the powerful king a tale of a poor shepherd whose lamb was stolen by a rich man. will be automatically deleted and the invitation to participate revoked. Many Christians purposefully neglect studying the Mosaic Law. (Ephesians 6:10-18). Heart-touching stories of lives impacted by the ministry. This is often seen as the cop-out answer anytime the question of why God allows evil in the world comes up. We know Abigail was unusually wise, and nothing about how she related to David later in life. Thus King David was relaxing on a palace balcony above the city when he spied a beautiful woman taking a bath. (Exodus 20:14, 17), Integrity isnt natural. 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). Not long after Bathsheba and David committed adultery, Bathsheba sent a message to David telling him she was pregnant. Rather, God works through the effects of our sin to bring about His purposes, though He still abhors our sinful actions. David clearly struggled with this many times. But God blessed Bathsheba with her son Solomon who would become king after his father. Who Are King David's Children in the Bible? When notified, Abigail hurried to intercede on behalf of her husband. Then God gave the kingdom and all of its possessions . The first is that everything in the Bible is worth learning on some level. In brokering peace and power for Israel among neighboring nations, Solomon acquired 1000 women. May their lives and walks with God strengthen your faith and encourage your soul. David offered his services to a man named Nabal, Abigail's husband before David. Eventually, all of his decisions were made poorly. 7 Bibliography. Our flagship program features the most informative and inspiring messages from Pastor Doug and more. 6. Eglah married David while he was in exile, and had a son named Ithream. Pastor Dougs worldwide radio program will help you find answers to your biggest Bible questions. The first was the baby that was the fruit of the sinful and murderous romance between him and Bathsheba. From that time forward, Michal despises David (2 Samuel 6:16). Hes angry hearing the story. David was an insignificant shepherd when God chose him. In all of Scripture, the life of David may be the most dramatic recorded. Free Will. This trend continued through the succession of Israel's kings. Adonijah was later executed by his brother Solomon for his insurrection and failed attempts to steal the throne (1 Kings 1-2). 2. He lost four children. Bathsheba was a daughter of Eliam and was probably of noble birth. He only notices Bathsheba because hes home when hes supposed to be leading his troops. Understanding the latest news through a biblical lens. On-demand Amazing Facts audio featuring a wealth of spiritual guidance and inspiration. Ahinoam was the mother of Amnon, who raped his half-sister Tamar. Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, David's fifth wife.5. Ahinoam married David while he was in exile from Saul, and had Davids firstborn son, Amnon. When it came time to be paid, Nabal instead refused to pay David and his men. Eventually, Joab killed Absalom. Some details may not have major stories attached, and not all of them have detailed themes or takeaways. 1 Chronicles 3:1-9 lists sons that David had with seven women, six of which he married while living in exile in Hebron. 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). 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). 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. According to 1 Kings 1:11, the prophet Nathan urged Bathsheba to tell David that Adonijah was preparing to take the throne by force. Listen to our episode on David right now: G. Connor Salter is a writer and editor, with a Bachelor of Science in Professional Writing from Taylor University. When it came time to be paid, Nabal instead refused to pay . Our sin nature gravitates toward selfishness and self-pleasure. Why Was David Allowed to Take so Many Wives (and Who Were They)? All in all, the Bible makes it clear that Davids polygamy created an enormous amount of pain. Nathan reminded David that his sin had removed Gods protection and blessing from his life. Though He will not always reverse the consequences of our poor decisions, with genuine repentance we may return to Him. David slept with Bathsheba and arranged for Uriahs death when he discovered Bathsheba was pregnant (2 Samuel 11:14-27). Understand Bible prophecy and more at these local events in your area. Who Was Isaiah & Why Was He Important? Early intervention, discipline, and instruction could mean the difference between life and death later on. Gods providence. Abigail wisely entreated David not to kill Nabal, and he had mercy. She has authored a number of books on faith and religion. A lack of integrity in one area always seeps into a lack of integrity in other areas. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), Guard your heart. Cynthia B. Astle is an award-winning journalist who covered religion for 25 years. Even Solomon was not exempt from Davids sin. 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. Haggith(1 Chr 3:2)(2 Sam 3:4) Spread the Word using these free digital resources from the ministry, including plug-ins, banners, and more. Given that context, David may have had so many partners because he was in an addictive cycle. She was given by the hand of her treacherous father Saul the first king of Israelwhile he lingered on the throne in his fallen state. He gave them Solomon, whose name means "Peace.". Adonijah as David neared the end of his life, Adonijah, David's fourth son by his wife Haggith, exalted himself as king. All rights reserved. Sue has a BA in Creative Writing and a Masters in Theology and Culture. Later she and David had a second son, Solomon, who God favored (2 Samuel 12:25). David enjoys a beautiful relationship with God after his sin, writing many more Psalms of worship and thanksgiving. God gave David many opportunities to resist temptation. It would have been a cruel act for David to put away Bathsheba after the death of her husband and baby through his influence. Even knowing she was another man's wife, David . Keep in mind, he stayed on his face for seven days in genuine contrition and grief for his sinsbegging God for mercy. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Much like his son Solomon, David had lots of wives, but it created trouble and strife. David offered his services to a man named Nabal, Abigails husband before David. In 2 Samuel 12, the prophet Nathan confronts David concerning his sin with Bathsheba and pronounces a judgment against David. Chileab (or Daniel), whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal, who David married after the death her husband (1 Samuel 25).3. This is one of the most glorious and mind-blowing truths Scripture reveals about our Lord. One night in Jerusalem, King David was walking upon his rooftop when he spotted a beautiful woman bathing nearby ( 2 Samuel 11:2 ). Nathan ( Hebrew: , Modern: Natan, Tiberian: Nn) was the third of four sons born to King David and Bathsheba in Jerusalem. 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). 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 . Davids children repeated his sins. David's mighty men were a group of his best thirty-seven fighters (later expanded to around eighty). The Bible is clear that what David did was wrong and the Lord condemned him for his actions. David sends for Bathshebas husband to come home to try to cover up his sin. Adonijah would be Davids oldest living son by the time David died and would try to claim the throne for himself. All rights reserved. 2 Samuel 12:8 Why did God give David the wives of - NeverThirsty Amnom would create much grief for David and the rest of the family when he molested his half-sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13). He won King Saul's daughter . Astle, Cynthia. Unfortunately, this is where David failed many of his other children. 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). There are a variety of reasons to learn about them, with two particularly clear ones. 3. Why did David need Abishag to keep him warm when he had wives and 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. Featuring courses and local seminars on how to be a better witness in your community. In an ancient kingdom, a king could kill anyone who disobeyed him. 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 and Bathsheba Bible Story and 10 Important Lessons Family disputes can cause rifts that take years to mend. But after his sin, David thoroughly repented. 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. God exercises His power in harmony with our free will (even our sinful decisions) to accomplish His divine purposes. When presented with the polygamous lifestyle of David (or anyone else for that matter) it is essential for us to keep several overarching truths in mind. A guide for walking through all of Scripture in just a yearwith catch-up days built in. David was not a perfect father, but he was still a man after God's own heart who loved God and loved his children. Join Pastor Dougs church for special music, inspiring sermons, and empowering church training. 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 was a fallible human being who made poor choices as well as good ones and had to face those actions consequences. Bathsheba was David's last wife (at least the last one mentioned in the Bible) and probably his most famous. King David's Wives and Marriages in the Bible Unfortunately, bad habits can be learned and passed on to our children if not challenged or corrected early. Davids culture accepted polygamy and sexual misconduct from men of power. Solomon was known for his many foreign wives, who were able to turn his heart away from God to foreign gods (1 Kings 11). The Bible tells us that Amnon lured his sister to his chambers one night under false pretenses and proceeded to rape her. Even though God favored his second son with Bathsheba, this doesnt mean that God wanted their relationship to happen. The slayer of giants, the hero of Israel, the man who pursued God with all his heart. He had a daughter named Michal, who King Saul had given him in exchange for killing 400 Philistines. 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 Old Testament characters go, King David is probably the most famous. Abitalmarried David while he was in exile, and had a son named Shephatiah. Although Nathan is the third son raised by David and Bathsheba, he is the fourth born to Bathsheba. Why did God allow David to keep Bathsheba as his wife? When he heard this, David took Abigail as his wife. Why did God allow David to keep Bathsheba as his wife? David flew into a rage, demanding to know who the man was so that he could exact judgment on him. In rebellion against his father, Absalom mounted a coup against David and briefly took the kingdom (2 Samuel 15-17). 2 Samuel 5 says "David married more wives in Jerusalem.". David, as well as kings which followed (including his son Solomon who had 700 wives and 300 concubines: 1 Kin 11:3 ), disobeyed . You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel. In Davids old age, Adonijah declared himself king, and David had to quickly crown Solomon to clear matters up (1 King 1:5-52). Most of the sons mentioned from these womencaused much strife and grief in Davids family. Similarly, sin and bad character can set the example for our children to learn from and imitate. Eventually, Absalom was ousted and killed (2 Samuel 18), but the troubles continued. David had many wives and concubines. 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.
The Shining Book Parents Guide,
Regular Fouls In Football Modified Rules And Regulations,
Articles H