How does Rehoboam's family structure compare to biblical teachings on marriage? Setting the Scene in Rehoboam’s Household “Rehoboam married Mahalath… and she bore to him sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.” (2 Chronicles 11:18-19) • The larger passage (11:18-23) reveals a sprawling family network: – 18 wives, 60 concubines – 28 sons, 60 daughters • Scripture presents these facts matter-of-factly, showing what happened, not necessarily what should have happened. Biblical Blueprint for Marriage • Genesis 2:24—“A man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” • Jesus reaffirms it in Matthew 19:4-6, highlighting the singular “wife.” • Ephesians 5:31-33 portrays marriage as a living parable of Christ and the church—again, one husband, one wife. These passages establish covenant, exclusivity, and lifelong faithfulness as God’s standard. God’s Warnings to Israel’s Kings • Deuteronomy 17:17—“He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away.” • Solomon ignored this warning (1 Kings 11:3-4) and suffered spiritual decline; Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, followed the same pattern on a smaller scale. Polygamy in the Old Testament—Descriptive, Not Prescriptive Polygamy appears among patriarchs and kings, yet the narratives repeatedly expose its pitfalls: • Abraham’s household tension (Genesis 16). • Jacob’s rivalry-filled marriages (Genesis 29-30). • David’s fragmented family (2 Samuel 13-18). None of these accounts portray multiple wives as a path to blessing; rather, they highlight jealousy, strife, and divided loyalties. How Rehoboam’s Choices Diverged from God’s Design • Quantity over covenant: he multiplied wives and concubines, diluting the “one-flesh” union. • Complicated loyalties: many mothers, many sons, inevitable intrigue (2 Chronicles 11:22-23 hints at jockeying for succession). • Direct violation of the kingly guideline in Deuteronomy 17:17, undermining spiritual integrity. • Absence of the New-Testament ideal of husbandly sacrificial love (Ephesians 5:25) achievable only in a one-to-one covenant. Lessons for Today’s Families • God’s model remains one man, one woman, united for life—simple, exclusive, and covenantal. • Multiplying romantic or sexual partners—whether through polygamy, serial relationships, or hidden affairs—inevitably fractures hearts and faithfulness. • A Christ-centered marriage exhibits the gospel: steadfast love, sacrificial service, and undivided devotion, something polygamy cannot portray. Rehoboam’s sprawling household stands as a cautionary snapshot: Scripture records it accurately, yet the broader biblical witness calls believers back to God’s original, beautiful design for marriage. |
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