In 2020, Sue won a Selah Award for her nonfiction book Soulspeak: Praying Change into Unexpected Places. The names of the eight wives of King David were: Michal, Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacha, Haggith, Abital, Egla and Bathsheba . Adultery is still sin. (Ephesians 6:10-18). Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/bathsheba-king-davids-most-famous-wife-117306. 1 Chronicles 3:1-9 lists sons that David had with seven women, six of which he married while living in exile in Hebron. David plotted to have Uriah killed. Not exactly romantic. And David did repent before the Lord. It would have been a cruel act for David to put away Bathsheba after the death of her husband and baby through his influence. And God not only forgave them, He even blessed their marriage with another child. 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). Nathan told the powerful king a tale of a poor shepherd whose lamb was stolen by a rich man. Access to our entire media library in one easy-to-use and easy-to-search location. To consummate his insurrection, Absalom slept with his father's concubines in public for everyone to see (2 Samuel 16:20-23). 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 of King Davids wives and concubines. How Can I Recognize and Understand the Holy Spirit Better? Altogether, scripture records that David had 19 sons by . What Can Galileo Teach Us about Science and Faith? When David danced before the Ark of the Covenant as it entered Jerusalem, Michal rebuked him for his undignified behavior. After she was taken away from him, he married Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah. Fast access to all of Amazing Facts English and foreign-language Bible-based websites. He began making poor decisions in areas of his life where he didnt think it mattered. Though David was both a good and bad father at times, he was never meant to be the perfect example to follow. Absolutely not! David already had three wives before he married Bathsheba. David has committed adultery and murder. 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. And later David lost yet another son, Adonijah. He attends Faith Fellowship Church in East Rochester, OH where he has given multiple sermons and is discipled by pastor Chet Howes. Nathan prophesied that Davids sin (metaphorically, the sword) would never depart from his family. Also, we find hope. 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). The story reveals the consequences of feeding secret lustful desires. Haggith(1 Chr 3:2)(2 Sam 3:4) Eglah married David while he was in exile, and had a son named Ithream. 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). 12. Admittedly, its not always the most exciting part of the Bible to read, however it is incredibly important for understanding the historical accounts recorded. He talks to Uriah about the battle and sends him home so hell sleep with his wife and the affair will be hidden. When David couldn't get Uriah to sleep with his wife Bathsheba (and therefore conceal David's adultery), he . 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). If you ever find yourself as a victim or a victimizer, please remember that Gods love is everlasting, and he is full of grace and mercy. David flew into a rage, demanding to know who the man was so that he could exact judgment on him. Davids laziness in rooting out lust overlaps into a laziness of calling and purpose. We know that David married many more wives other than the seven listed by name. (2 Samuel 11:2-4) "David didn't invite Bathsheba. The lesson here is that David often took a more passive approach to discipline his children, allowing their base emotions, sin, and selfish ambitions to go unchallenged and grow into reckless, even deadly behavior. Next, David acquires Ahinoam as his wife, followed by Abigail, who impresses him with her wisdom and intelligence. 1 Chronicles 3:1-4 states that King David's first seven wives gave him six children, while they lived in Hebron. The story of David and Bathsheba is one of the most dramatic accounts in the Old Testament. Featuring courses and local seminars on how to be a better witness in your community. Following Amnon's murder, Absalom fled Jerusalem and did not return for another three years. David also had a son with Bathsheba before she bore Solomon. Saul also had other concubines that are not included in this list. The story of Bathsheba and David has proved so enduring that religious commentators still debate the quality . He had planned the murder of his half-brother Amnon for years, allowing his hatred of Amnon to "boil" over past the point of no return. Next, described in 2 Samuel 12 and 13, David invited Uriah for dinner and got him drunk, figuring that intoxication will arouse Uriah's desire for Bathsheba. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. He won King Saul's daughter . They are all mentioned in 2 Samuel 3:2-5 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-3. Abigail: David's second wife, Abigail, is found in 1 Samuel 25 during the saga of David's life when he fled King Saul. From these unions, the Bible names nineteen sons and one daughter, Tamar ( 1 Chronicles 3:1-9 ). However, nothing in the Bible is accidental, it is all God-breathed and useful (2 Timothy 3:16-17). So, they were at least on speaking terms later in life. She and her husband Shane are launching a podcast called Stress Test: the heartbeat of healthy leadership in late April, 2023. Consequently, Bathsheba and David had sex at one of the best possible moments for her to conceivewhich she did, with tragic results. But God blessed Bathsheba with her son Solomon who would become king after his father. The fact she had no children could mean they became estranged. So, based on what we know, David had at least eight wives, and we learn in 2 Samuel that he had at least ten concubines. 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. Among other things, the fact David chose to have multiple wives proves he was a sinner. Psalm 32 relays how Davids sin and restoration affected him physically, psychologically, and spiritually. In brokering peace and power for Israel among neighboring nations, Solomon acquired 1000 women. Thus, although Abishag was not Davids wife or concubine, her intimate connection with the king resulted in people using her as a pawn. The Brown commentary states "In this conduct David transgressed an express law, which forbade the king of Israel to multiply . David, (flourished c. 1000 bce), second ruler of the united kingdom of ancient Israel and Judah. 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). Let the demise of Absalom, Amnon, and Adonijah be our warning. 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). As he took note of her beauty, David abused his authority as King and forced her to lie with him. Nathan predicts the babys death and that violence and abuse will continue in Davids family. David was not a perfect father, but he was still a man after God's own heart who loved God and loved his children. Listen to all of Amazing Facts audio programming whenever and wherever you go. When he heard this, David took Abigail as his wife. Her future child(ren) would be raised within a context of sexual misconduct, manipulation, competition, cover-up, and violence just as Nathan predicted. Saul had no choice but to give Michal to David as his wife (1 Samuel 18:20-27). Did she resist, beg, or comply? Regarding Davids wives, we have a grim reminder of what happens when we neglect to live as God commands. Nothing encourages and inspires a child to follow God like a parent who walks with the Lord. Suppose you make some terrible decision in your life that is irreversible. Is it any wonder that Amnon, Absalom, and even Solomon would also be caught in sexual sin later in life? David's history suggests that he used many women to balance out his faults (lust, violence, and ego). 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. Free Will. 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. 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. It stands as a clear warning to every leader, every spouse, and every believer who loves God and feels secure in their own perspectives. David was an insignificant shepherd when God chose him. The list of wives married during his exile is repeated in 2 Samuel 3:2-5. These were born to David in Hebron" (2 Samuel 3:2-5 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-3). Incongruence happens when we ignore or disobey Gods laws. Claim: David "power raped" Bathsheba. 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. 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. 3. Our flagship program features the most informative and inspiring messages from Pastor Doug and more. 2 Samuel 5 says "David married more wives in Jerusalem.". David thought he pulled off this caper until the prophet Nathan came to visit in 2 Samuel 12. We could refer to this rape as 'power rape,' meaning Bathsheba was not in a position to say no (even if she wanted to) when the king called for her and collected her with guards. Notes:1. His first six sons, recorded in 2 Samuel 3:1-5 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-4, are: 1. Answer. Maacah, whose father Talmai was king of Geshur, married David while he was in exile and her children included a son named Absalom and a daughter named Tamar. However, for people seeking the truth in earnest, it would be disingenuous to ignore any of the relevant factors revealed in Scripture pertaining to this question. Psalm 32 and 51 detail Davids journey to repentance. Learn Religions. They are as follows: Michal:She is the first of Davids wives. (Proverbs 11:14), Lean into God for forgiveness, comfort, and direction. Comments containing URLs outside the family of Amazing Facts websites will not be approved. Not long after Bathsheba and David committed adultery, Bathsheba sent a message to David telling him she was pregnant. Though several of David's most loyal followers, including Joab and Abiathar, threw their support behind Adonijah, David turned to Nathan (the prophet), Benaiah (the mighty man), and Zadok (the priest) to establish Solomon as the rightful king of Israel. Instead of owning up to the liaison and making restitution, David took an even more sinful approach to the crisis. 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. Spread the Word using these free digital resources from the ministry, including plug-ins, banners, and more. Who Are King David's Children in the Bible? But one killing in particular "displeased the Lord" (2 Samuel 11:27). There are a variety of reasons to learn about them, with two particularly clear ones. He had a daughter named Michal, who King Saul had given him in exchange for killing 400 Philistines. Absalom killed Amnon his brother, and then Absalom was killed. In other words, she was not truly willing to sleep with him, but he was the king. Even a heart like Davids can be deceitful and wicked. As mentioned earlier, Adonijah then used the almost concubine status of Abishag to try and get closer to the throne. But Uriah didn't go home; he stayed within the palace barracks. Cynthia B. Astle is an award-winning journalist who covered religion for 25 years. 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. 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.. Heres the plot summary, and its spicy enough for any Netflix series: King David stays home when hes supposed to go to war. But power and money makes us feel like we deserve certain indulgences we might not have without a position of power. Please reach out to a trusted pastor, counselor, therapist, or friend and share your struggles. Our sin nature gravitates toward selfishness and self-pleasure. But Nathans prophecies still come true. (1 Samuel 13:14), Beware of power. The primary evidence for David's career consists of several chapters in the books 1 . It is told in the book of 2 Samuel 11. 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. Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam of Jezreel, one of David's first wives (1 Samuel 25:43).2. Join Pastor Dougs church for special music, inspiring sermons, and empowering church training. 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. In an ancient kingdom, a king could kill anyone who disobeyed him. (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].). Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. ', quotes author Richard M. Davidson: "Just as intercourse between an adult and a minor, even a 'consenting' minor, is today termed 'statutory rape,' so the intercourse between David and his subject Bathsheba (even if Bathsheba, under the psychological pressure of one in power over her, acquiesced to the intercourse) is understood in biblical law, and so presented in this narrative, to be a case of rapewhat today we call 'power rape,' and the victimizer, not the victim, is held accountable."1. David had seven wives prior to Bathsheba. Some scholars have suggested he married some of these women for political reasonsas noted earlier, Maacah was the daughter of a king. Lets take a look at what the Bible tells us about them. See how your gifts made a lasting difference recently. This is often seen as the cop-out answer anytime the question of why God allows evil in the world comes up. Please do not comment in languages other than English. Then Nathan reveals that the story is about Davids sin against Bathsheba and Uriah. 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. Michal(1 Sam 18:20-27)(1 Sam 19:11-17)(1 Sam 25:44)(2 Sam 3:13-14) If Christians are not ready, they will get blind-sided by such objections and may even suffer doubt of their own faith. However, after Solomon became king, Adonijah used Bathsheba to ask Solomon a favor: he wanted Abishags hand in marriage (1 Kings 2:13-23). Others have speculated that in the pagan societies surrounding Israel, having multiple wives was a way kings showed their power. 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. Solomon was known for his many foreign wives, who were able to turn his heart away from God to foreign gods (1 Kings 11). Discover all the informative and inspiring books from the speaker and president of Amazing Facts. Rather, God works through the effects of our sin to bring about His purposes, though He still abhors our sinful actions. When it came time to be paid, Nabal instead refused to pay . This article is part of our People from the Bible Series featuring the most well-known historical names and figures from Scripture. Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital, another of David's wives.6. Sources:TheGospelCoalition.org, 'Did King David Rape Bathsheba? God gave David many opportunities to resist temptation. How many wives did David have before Bathsheba? A Case Study in Narrative Theology in Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, 17/2 (Autumn 2006): 8195. Women had little protection in the ancient world, although the Bible has always outlined rules for treating them justly. How much of Absalom's arrogance and ambition was born of David's passivity and neglect in dealing with Amnon? God in His grace restored David back to a healthy spiritual relationship with Him. Bathsheba was David's last wife (at least the last one mentioned in the Bible) and probably his most famous. The Bible doesn't mention the circumstances of David's marriage to Bathsheba, but it does mention that he had three wives before Bathsheba. Dig into the Word and become a Bible expert with Amazing Facts line of study Bibles and more. Bathsheba, married David after he famously murdered her husband Uriah (2 Samuel 11). For example, Bathsheba bore Solomon to David, and he was part of Jesus genealogy (Matthew 1:6-7). The latest information on all of Pastor Dougs upcoming events. Ahinoam married David while he was in exile from Saul, and had Davids firstborn son, Amnon. And he executed plenty of criminals. 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. 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. The heart can fool any of us and destroy the best of us (Jeremiah 17:9). Nathan ( Hebrew: , Modern: Natan, Tiberian: Nn) was the third of four sons born to King David and Bathsheba in Jerusalem. David was many things in life. You can choose not to excuse or normalize your behavior. According to the Bible, his first wife was Michal, the daughter of King Saul. In the city of Jerusalem, David's eighth wife, Bathsheba, gave him four sons after the death of her first son. After David had moved his kingdom to Jerusalem, where he ruled for thirty-three years, he had four more children with Bathsheba. Their names are not recorded. Unfortunately, this is where David failed many of his other children. Bathsheba mourned the death of her husband and David took her as his wife after her time of mourning. He has contributed over 1,200 articles to various publications, including interviews for Christian Communicator and book reviews for The Evangelical Church Library Association. Depending on what Sunday School you attended, you might not know there were multiple wives. David's mighty men were a group of his best thirty-seven fighters (later expanded to around eighty). 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 Rabbis are concerned with the causes and harsh consequences of David's sin, but completely disregard Bathsheba's . The stories and names of some of them have transcended more in history, while others have simply been mentioned without specifying the origin. Bad decisions have lasting consequences. David clearly struggled with this many times. In ( Deut 17:17 ), God forbid kings from taking multiple wives. Sue Schlesmanis an award-winning author, teacher, and church leader. Despite Joab's action, Uriah and other officers were killed. Comments containing telephone numbers or email addresses will not be approved. 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. ), so he goes for a walk on the roof. 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? Although feminist biblical interpretation contends that Bathsheba was a victim of David, other scholars find a clue to Bathsheba's complicity among King David's wives in 2 Samuel 4:11. 2. 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. "Bathsheba and David: Biblical Romance and Tragedy." Other wives gave birth to nine more sons. 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. David is an important figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. (2 Samuel 12:11-12) Although David fasted and prayed for a week for his baby to survive, God did not answer his request. Even knowing she was another man's wife, David . David, as well as kings which followed (including his son Solomon who had 700 wives and 300 concubines: 1 Kin 11:3 ), disobeyed . 6. Helping you get the most out of your Sabbath School quarterly every week. They are: -Japhia-Elishama-Eliada-Eliphelet-Tamar, the only daughter named amongst David's children. 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). 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. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. David killed a lot of people in battle. The womens pagan backgrounds wooed Solomon away from truth and introduced Israel to idolatry. One night in Jerusalem, King David was walking upon his rooftop when he spotted a beautiful woman bathing nearby ( 2 Samuel 11:2 ). Comments that include name-calling, profanity, harassment, ridicule, etc. 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). 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. Solomon replied, you might as well ask me to give him the kingdom! (1 Kings 2:22).