I dont think so. Who was King David's favorite wife? - remodelormove.com Absalom Absalom, David's third son, or at least the third in line, was handsome, cunning, ambitious, and hot-tempered. The biblical text implies that this ritual purification was the bath that David saw Bathsheba taking. 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. Abigail: David's second wife, Abigail, is found in 1 Samuel 25 during the saga of David's life when he fled King Saul. Comments made on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday may not be approved until the following Monday. Who are the sons of David mentioned in the Bible? (1 Samuel 13:14), Beware of power. (Actually, Saul promised David his older daughter Merab, hoping the Philistines would kill David. 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. The David and Bathsheba Pericope Re-Examined, The Story of David and Bathsheba: A Different Approach, The Alleged Rape of Bathsheba: Some Observations on Ambiguity in Biblical Narrative. Not long after Bathsheba and David committed adultery, Bathsheba sent a message to David telling him she was pregnant. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The names of the eight wives of King David were: Michal, Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacha, Haggith, Abital, Egla and Bathsheba . In 2020, Sue won a Selah Award for her nonfiction book Soulspeak: Praying Change into Unexpected Places. Their names are not recorded. It is told in the book of 2 Samuel 11. 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. After Abigail told her husband that she saved him, Nabal had a heart attack and died. From that time forward, Michal despises David (2 Samuel 6:16). As a result, Bathsheba became pregnant with their illegitimate child and told David he was the father. Comments that include name-calling, profanity, harassment, ridicule, etc. We know that David married many more wives other than the seven listed by name. Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, David's fifth wife.5. Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital, another of David's wives.6. Learn how your faithful giving helped thousands know Christ this last year. Again, with sinister motives, Saul told David he could still become his son-in-law by marrying Michal. 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. 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 . Who Are King David's Children in the Bible? After a mourning period, Bathsheba was brought to the palace to become the latest of King David's wives, thus assuring the legitimacy of their child. Spread the Word using these free digital resources from the ministry, including plug-ins, banners, and more. Absalom was later killed by David's commander Joab, against David's wishes (2 Samuel 18). 7. God restored David to intimate spiritual fellowship. "Bathsheba and David: Biblical Romance and Tragedy." But Uriah is a man of integrity (he doesnt want to enjoy anything his fellow-soldiers cant enjoy), so he sleeps outside the palace. Does it mean you cannot be forgiven or saved? He began making poor decisions in areas of his life where he didnt think it mattered. From these unions, the Bible names nineteen sons and one daughter, Tamar ( 1 Chronicles 3:1-9 ). Adonijah was later executed by his brother Solomon for his insurrection and failed attempts to steal the throne (1 Kings 1-2). 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. There is a dangerous assumption which accompanies many Bible readers and serves as the root of numerous stumbling blocks. He asks someone who she is (Shes Bathsheba, married to Uriah, one of your elite fighting men). He sees a beautiful woman bathing in the next house. After this, the Lord struck Nabal and took his life. Absalom, whose mother was Maacah (or Maakah), the daughter of Talmar, King of Geshur, and wife of David.4. 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. A:We cannot not know for certain how many wives David had. will be automatically deleted and the invitation to participate revoked. All rights reserved. Amazing Facts 24/7 television station featuring the best in Bible study streamed lived and on-demand. The Brown commentary states "In this conduct David transgressed an express law, which forbade the king of Israel to multiply . Let the demise of Absalom, Amnon, and Adonijah be our warning. Bathsheba is portrayed by the midrash as a modest woman who carefully observed the laws of family purity, but who found herself, without any conscious action on her part, in an adulterous affair with the king. 2 Samuel 12:8 Why did God give David the wives of - NeverThirsty But Nathans prophecies still come true. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself" (Ezekiel 18:20). 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. The Bible routinely describes polygamy in a negative light, so it may be hard to understand why David, a man after Gods own heart, (1 Samuel 13:14) had multiple wives. Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. 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. As described in 1 Samuel 25, she was first married to a wealthy man named Nabal who treated David cheaply. Once he found out Bathsheba's identity, he knew that she was married and he had sent her husband off to war. Bathsheba Was King David's Most Famous Wife Strengthen your walk with Christ with these life-changing devotionals from your friends at Amazing Facts. They are: David's remaining children that we know of were born in Jerusalem to unnamed wives. First, 2 Samuel 11:711 describes how David tried to attribute Bathsheba's pregnancy to Uriah. 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). Claim: David "power raped" Bathsheba. But David was foiled again; drunk though he was, honorable Uriah returned to the barracks and not to his wife. 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. David had eight named wives, others unnamed, and an unknown number of concubines. A lack of integrity in one area always seeps into a lack of integrity in other areas. Keep in mind, he stayed on his face for seven days in genuine contrition and grief for his sinsbegging God for mercy. David had many wives & concubines - Diana Leagh Matthews These were born to David in Hebron" (2 Samuel 3:2-5 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-3). David had seven wives prior to Bathsheba. The infamous account of how she became Davids wife is found in 2 Samuel 11. We learn more about Michal, Abigail, and Bathsheba, but not much about how David related to them over time. Thus, although Abishag was not Davids wife or concubine, her intimate connection with the king resulted in people using her as a pawn. And God not only forgave them, He even blessed their marriage with another child. Unfortunately, this is where David failed many of his other children. Bathshebawas Davids last wife (at least the last one mentioned in the Bible) and probably his most famous. 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? 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. 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. How to Have Joy in Your Golden Years Despite These 10 Life California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In ( Deut 17:17 ), God forbid kings from taking multiple wives. If you have perpetrated crimes or taken advantage of others, you can confess your sins and change your habits. 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). Stephen Baker is a graduate of Mount Union University. This verse says unequivocally that when David sent messengers to fetch her, she went to David of her own free will. It would have been a cruel act for David to put away Bathsheba after the death of her husband and baby through his influence. David thought he pulled off this caper until the prophet Nathan came to visit in 2 Samuel 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. They are all mentioned in 2 Samuel 3:2-5 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-3. Bible Answer: 2 Samuel 12:8 does not record God's approval of polygamy but God's gift of the possessions that He gave David. They are as follows: Michal:She is the first of Davids wives. David then married Abigail, and she had a son named Daniel. Ahinoam was the mother of Amnon, who raped his half-sister Tamar. Repentance didnt reverse the effects of Davids sin. May their lives and walks with God strengthen your faith and encourage your soul. He didn't woo her. 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. Article Images Copyright . Among other things, the fact David chose to have multiple wives proves he was a sinner. 4. David tries again the next night, this time getting Uriah drunk. Adonijah as David neared the end of his life, Adonijah, David's fourth son by his wife Haggith, exalted himself as king. David's Rape of Bathsheba and Murder of Uriah (2 | Theology of Work Gods providence. How many of David's sons became lustful, greedy, and ambitious like their father? 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. Heart-touching stories of lives impacted by the ministry. The slayer of giants, the hero of Israel, the man who pursued God with all his heart. He gets distracted by power, fame, and success. Why did David need Abishag to keep him warm when he had wives and This theory suggests Bathsheba did not say "no" to David, but neither did she say "yes.". King David and His Wives - David married many women in the course of Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/bathsheba-king-davids-most-famous-wife-117306. David was a fallible human being who made poor choices as well as good ones and had to face those actions consequences. 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. The Bible tells us that Amnon lured his sister to his chambers one night under false pretenses and proceeded to rape her. A total of nineteen sons are named here. 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. 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! Each of his first six wives bore David a son, while Bathsheba bore him four sons. 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. David and Solomon would have grown up hearing the stories of Gods redemption of their family line through Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer. When a reader has a grasp on the Law, they have the standard by which they are to discern the behavior of the people recorded. Helping you get the most out of your Sabbath School quarterly every week. He killed a lot of prisoners after battles. All rights reserved. He had the capacity to make choices which either adhered to Gods Word or blatantly disobeyed it. Who Were the 12 Disciples of Jesus? Absalom killed Amnon his brother, and then Absalom was killed. (James 4:4-10), Reach out for help. 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). 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. Bathsheba(2 Sam ch.11 ch.12)(1 Kin ch. Adultery is still sin. Are they more prone to sexual sin than regular people? ', 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. 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. She and her husband Shane are launching a podcast called Stress Test: the heartbeat of healthy leadership in late April, 2023. Shortly after Davids affair with Bathsheba, Davids oldest son Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar. God explicitly prohibited polygamy. 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. Available atLifeAudio.com. And one said, "Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. Altogether, scripture records that David had 19 sons by . Bathsheba | Description & Biblical Account | Britannica Even a heart like Davids can be deceitful and wicked. Access dozens of Amazing Facts topical Scripture books from Pastor Doug and others. The primary evidence for David's career consists of several chapters in the books 1 . You can choose not to excuse or normalize your behavior. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Then God gave the kingdom and all of its possessions . 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. Pastor Dougs worldwide radio program will help you find answers to your biggest Bible questions. (Proverbs 11:14), Lean into God for forgiveness, comfort, and direction. Bathsheba: Midrash and Aggadah | Jewish Women's Archive Even knowing she was another man's wife, David . Who Were King David's Wives in the Bible - Names and Importance Early intervention, discipline, and instruction could mean the difference between life and death later on. 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. The Bible doesn't mention the circumstances of David's marriage to Bathsheba, but it does mention that he had three wives before Bathsheba. 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. What Does the Bible Tell Us about the Prophet Daniel? Abital(1 Chr 3:3)(2 Sam 3:4) The Jesus Revolution Comes to Hollywood: Will Thousands Be Converted? These deals on incredible witnessing and Bible resources dont last long! How Many Wives Did King David Have and What Do We Know about Them? 3 Surprising Reasons to Be Like Doubting Thomas, 4 Reasons Why We Have a Hard Time Talking about Loneliness. He wasnt in love with her from what the text reveals. See how your gifts made a lasting difference recently. Amazing Facts is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, Download AF Radio App for iPhone or Android. Women had little protection in the ancient world, although the Bible has always outlined rules for treating them justly. Eventually, Joab killed Absalom. Please be patient. Bathsheba was a victim who suffered from multiple life-changing traumas in the same year. 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. Psalm 32 and 51 detail Davids journey to repentance. David's Wives in the Bible - Who Were They and Their Story Bathsheba was disposable to David until a pregnancy threatened to expose his actions (rape and then murder) before the nation. As the Apostle Paul says, the Law served to reveal our sin and shut all people up under sin (Galatians 3:19-22). Did King David Rape Bathsheba? Wives of King David How many wives did King David have? He was a man after Gods own heart, but that doesnt mean he got everything right. 7 Bibliography. Related: Listen to our FREE Bible podcast,How to Study the Bible! The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. David humbly refused and stated he was unworthy to be the kings son-in-law (1 Samuel 18:17-19). Saul had no choice but to give Michal to David as his wife ( 1 Samuel 18:20-27 ). (2 Samuel 11:2-4) "David didn't invite Bathsheba. This opened an even bigger door for Absalom to take matters into his own hands. All of these theories have some evidence behind them and leave us with something to chew on. Bathsheba mourned the death of her husband and David took her as his wife after her time of mourning. As he took note of her beauty, David abused his authority as King and forced her to lie with him. 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. David refused to discipline Amnon, so Tamars brother Absalom killed Amnon in revenge and fled to escape punishment (2 Samuel 13). It may be shocking to suggest King David had sexual issues, but its not out of the question. Who Were David's Wives, and Why Should We Know Their Names? David betrayed his parental responsibilities. (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].). His first six sons, recorded in 2 Samuel 3:1-5 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-4, are: 1. However, God's mercies are proven to be far more powerful than any sin or parental mistake(Deuteronomy 5:9-10). 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. The first is that everything in the Bible is worth learning on some level. Following Amnon's murder, Absalom fled Jerusalem and did not return for another three years. While we talk a lot about his heroic might, we dont talk much about Davids wives. David was an insignificant shepherd when God chose him. The Bible also mentions a woman who was not strictly a wife or a concubine, but close enough that it became a problem. This trend continued through the succession of Israel's kings. Astle, Cynthia. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Click here to read it. Dig into the Word and become a Bible expert with Amazing Facts line of study Bibles and more. Who Were David's Wives, and Why Should We Know Their Names? How many of them learned these bad habits from their father? 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). And God not only forgave them, He even blessed their marriage with another child. Wives Of David, Where FromVerses He cant sleep (maybe because hes not fulfilling his purpose? 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). How Can I Recognize and Understand the Holy Spirit Better? David was not a perfect father, but he was still a man after God's own heart who loved God and loved his children. 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. Haggith(1 Chr 3:2)(2 Sam 3:4) Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. This is one of the most glorious and mind-blowing truths Scripture reveals about our Lord. Davids passages of confession and repentance are some of the most-read and most encouraging Psalms in Scripture. In brokering peace and power for Israel among neighboring nations, Solomon acquired 1000 women. When he heard this, David took Abigail as his wife. 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 .