Polygamy, the practice of having more than one wife simultaneously, is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, and King David is one of its notable practitioners. David, the second king of Israel, is a central figure in the biblical narrative, renowned for his leadership, military prowess, and deep relationship with God. However, his family life, particularly his practice of polygamy, presents a complex aspect of his character and reign.

David's Wives and Marriages

David's first wife was Michal, the daughter of King Saul. Their marriage is recorded in 1 Samuel 18:27, where David fulfills Saul's bride price by bringing back the foreskins of two hundred Philistines. Michal loved David, but their relationship was fraught with challenges, including Saul's animosity towards David and Michal's later contempt for David's exuberant worship (2 Samuel 6:16-23).

After fleeing from Saul, David married Abigail, the widow of Nabal, and Ahinoam of Jezreel (1 Samuel 25:42-43). Abigail is noted for her wisdom and intervention that prevented David from taking vengeance on Nabal, her former husband (1 Samuel 25:32-35).

Upon becoming king, David took more wives and concubines in Jerusalem, as recorded in 2 Samuel 5:13: "After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him." Among these wives was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, whom David married after orchestrating Uriah's death in battle (2 Samuel 11:26-27).

Biblical Context and Implications

The practice of polygamy in David's life must be understood within the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East, where polygamy was a common practice among royalty and the elite. It was often used to forge political alliances and ensure the continuation of a dynasty through numerous offspring.

However, the biblical narrative does not shy away from highlighting the personal and familial strife that arose from David's polygamous relationships. The rivalry and discord among his children, such as the conflict between Amnon and Absalom, can be traced back to the complexities of his family dynamics (2 Samuel 13). The tragic events that unfolded within David's household serve as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of deviating from God's ideal for marriage.

Theological Reflections

While the Bible records instances of polygamy among key figures like David, it also presents monogamy as the ideal for marriage. Genesis 2:24 establishes the foundational principle of marriage as a union between one man and one woman: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." Jesus reaffirms this standard in the New Testament, emphasizing the sanctity and exclusivity of the marital bond (Matthew 19:4-6).

David's life, including his practice of polygamy, is a testament to the complexity of human nature and the grace of God. Despite his failings, David is remembered as "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14), illustrating that God's purposes can prevail even through imperfect vessels.1 Samuel 25:39-44
And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and has kept his servant from evil: for the LORD has returned the wickedness of Nabal on his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
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2 Samuel 3:2-5
And to David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
Nave's Topical Index

2 Samuel 5:13
And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.
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1 Chronicles 14:3
And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.
Nave's Topical Index

David's Deserts
... sinner has broken them already. They avenge themselves. And so does polygamy.
So it did in the case of David. It is a breach of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon iv davids deserts.htm

The Reign of David.
... David's high ideals and noble chivalry could not withstand the enervating influence
of his growing harem. The degrading influence of polygamy with its luxury ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xi the reign of.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... saint. To be sure, David practiced polygamy, and did many things that in
us, under the light of the gospel, would be sin. But it ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture li perseverance of saints.htm

The Fall of Solomon
... would never have blurted out the errors and sins of David and Solomon ... Solomon's
unbridled and monstrous polygamy sapped his manhood and his principle, darkened ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the fall of solomon.htm

That it is not Lawful for the Well Affected Subjects to Concur in ...
... David complains of that time, (Psal. ... that such particular escapes are not always
reproved in scripture, who considers that the fathers' polygamy, though so ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iv that it is.htm

The People among whom we Labour.
... same names continually meet us, such as Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, Solomon,
and ... The sanction given by Muhammad to polygamy and extreme facility of divorce ...
/.../chapter xxviii the people among.htm

The Power of Christianity.
... The wisest men of Greece and Rome sanctioned slavery, polygamy, concubinage, oppression ...
as well as the virtues, of Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, and Solomon. ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 44 the power of.htm

The Israelites
... The latter years of David were troubled by revolts which had their origin partly
in the polygamy in which he had indulged, partly in the discontent of a people ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

Pride of Prosperity
... wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with
the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father ... Polygamy was countenanced ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 3 pride of prosperity.htm

What is the Christian Home?
... of home, and abused its highest and holiest prerogatives by his ideas of polygamy. ...
of Joshua, who with "his house served the Lord,""of David, who "returned ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter i what is the.htm

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Polygamy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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