The Bible is a respected and widely-read book all over the world, found in many cultures and religions. In it, we find the story of King David and his many wives. It is widely accepted that David had at least eight wives, who are listed in the Bible and several reference books. However, depending on what version of the Bible you read, there may be more wives than this. In this article, we will explore how many wives David had according to the Bible.
To start with, according to the King James Version of the Bible, David had eight wives. The most well-known of these was Bathsheba, whose husband David had killed in battle. She bore him a son, Solomon, who eventually became king over Israel and Judah. The other seven wives are Merab, Ahinoam of Jezreel, Abigail, Maacah the daughter of Talmai the king of Geshur, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah.
An interesting detail of David’s wives is that each one was of a different social class. According to biblical scholars, some of these women may have served a political purpose for David, as several of them were from neighboring nations and kings. For example, Maacah was the daughter of the king of Geshur, and Abigail was the wife of one of David’s greatest adversaries, Nabal.
In addition to his eight wives, David is said to have had many concubines. This term is used to describe women with whom he had an intimate relationship, but was not necessarily married to. In the Bible, there is no exact number given for how many concubines David had, but some commentators suggest there were in the dozens.
The polygynous nature of some Biblical marriages has been a source of controversy, with some claiming that it is not in keeping with the values of modern society. However, at the time of David, this type of multiple marriage was not uncommon. In fact, some kings had hundreds of wives and concubines. In some ways, this could be seen as a form of power. Kings wanted to ensure their legacy by having a strong legacy to leave behind.
Interestingly, there is one wife that is not mentioned in the Bible, but is mentioned in Jewish and Islamic sources. This is Chasdai, a Babylonian princess whom David purportedly married. According to these sources, Chasdai was the daughter of Astyages, the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. It is said that she bore David a son, who is not mentioned in the Bible.
Influence Of His Marriages On David’s Life & Legacy
It is believed that David’s marriages had a profound influence on his life and legacy. This is evidenced by the fact that his marriages to foreign princesses served to strengthen his political alliances. In addition to this, it can be inferred from the Bible that David enjoyed a great love for his wives and concubines. He mourned deeply for each of them when they died and praised them in his psalms. This is likely one of the reasons he is remembered as a wise and compassionate king, who respected and loved his women.
Continuation Of Polygyny In Later Generations
Though David is famous to many, there were other kings and rulers throughout the Bible who assumed multiple wives. These include Solomon, who is said to have had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines, and Rehoboam, who married Mahalath, daughter of King David, and numerous other women. Christian and Jewish scholars agree that Solomon had many wives despite the fact that he was not seen as having acted wisely by doing so.
Conclusion After David’s Death
The matter of how many wives David had was never fully resolved while he was alive, and no record was ever produced that definitively proved his tally. Nevertheless, he left behind a legacy of love and respect for his wives and concubines, which has endured through the ages. Furthermore, David’s example set a precedent for the continuation of polygamy for many generations subsequent to his own.
Did David Live By The Bible’s Teaching Regarding Marriage?
Despite the fact that David had more than one wife, the Bible does not portray him as having acted against its teaching on marriage. In fact, his polygamy was seen in many ways as a sign of strength and power. Though the Bible does not condone multiple marriages today, the fact is that it was viewed very differently at the time of David. It is this example that has been passed down through the ages and which has set a precedent for multiple marriages even today.
How Modern Religion Deals With David’s Marriages
Despite the fact that David took multiple wives, modern religions do not view him unfavorably. In fact, various religious denominations such as Judaism and Islam acknowledge David as one of their great patriarchs, and laud him for his wisdom and generosity. This can be seen in the numerous references to him in the Bible and in other religious texts.
What Does This Mean For People Today?
Though David had multiple wives, this does not mean that the same is acceptable today. The Bible is clear that marriage is to be between one man and one woman. However, the example of a strong and wise king who respected and valued the women of his time is a valuable lesson for us all. The teachings that David championed are timeless, and his marriages are a testament to his character and legacy.
