In the biblical context, the role and conduct of kings in Israel were subject to divine commandments, as outlined in the Torah. One significant directive given to the kings of Israel was the prohibition against multiplying wives. This command is found in Deuteronomy 17:17, which states, "He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray." This injunction was part of a broader set of guidelines intended to ensure that the king's heart remained devoted to God and that he governed with wisdom and justice.

The prohibition against multiplying wives was rooted in the concern that such practices could lead to idolatry and a departure from the covenantal relationship with God. The accumulation of wives was often associated with political alliances and the influence of foreign cultures and religions, which could lead the king and, by extension, the nation, away from the worship of Yahweh.

The historical narrative of Israel's monarchy provides examples of the consequences of ignoring this command. King Solomon, despite his wisdom, is a prominent example of a king who violated this directive. According to 1 Kings 11:1-4, Solomon "loved many foreign women" and had "seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines," which led his heart astray. The text notes that "his wives turned his heart after other gods," resulting in Solomon's divided loyalty and eventual idolatry.

The consequences of Solomon's actions were significant, leading to divine displeasure and the eventual division of the kingdom after his reign. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of disobedience to God's commands and the spiritual and political ramifications of such actions.

The command against multiplying wives also reflects the biblical ideal of monogamous marriage, as seen in the creation narrative of Adam and Eve in Genesis 2:24, where a man is to "leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This ideal underscores the importance of fidelity and the sanctity of the marital relationship.

In summary, the prohibition against kings multiplying wives was a divine safeguard to ensure that the king's heart remained faithful to God and that his reign was characterized by righteousness and adherence to the covenant. The historical accounts of Israel's kings serve as a testament to the wisdom of this command and the perils of its neglect.Deuteronomy 17:17
Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Pride of Prosperity
... turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself ... the southward of Israel,
Solomon ventured upon forbidden ground ... into the City of David." 1 Kings 3:1 ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 3 pride of prosperity.htm

Of Civil Government.
... wives to himself; neither shall he greatly multiply to himself ... by the prophet when
he enjoins kings and other ... If all Christians are forbidden to kill, and the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

Letter cxxiii. To Ageruchia.
... the maxim held good: "be fruitful and multiply and replenish ... near approach of the
captivity Jeremiah is forbidden to take ... he had learned to be a city of kings. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxiii to ageruchia.htm

Letter Lxix. To Oceanus.
... to win God's blessing: "Be fruitful and multiply and replenish ... to receive their partners
as their wedded wives. ... minister in God's temple are forbidden to drink ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxix to oceanus.htm

A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
... himself with the king's meat, which was forbidden to the ... lives to the same, and he
shall multiply his knowledge ... written in the book of the Kings, received many ...
/.../knox/the pulpit of the reformation nos 1 2 and 3 /a sermon on isaiah xxvi.htm

Letter Lii. To Nepotian.
... Let us be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, [1369] but let ... to wine are
both condemned by the apostle [1378] and forbidden by the ... [1317] 1 Kings 1:1 ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lii to nepotian.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... The command to increase and multiply first finds fulfilment after ... womb, [491] and
now he was forbidden to take ... is to end in slavery to the haughtiest of kings? ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

Letter cxxxviii. (AD 412. )
... art of medicine, but in some forbidden supernatural power. ... children, such masters
and servants, such kings, such judges ... do you expect me to multiply examples of ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxxviii a d 412.htm

A Plea Regarding Christians by Athenagoras, the Athenian
... think God is one, though they multiply names for ... whatever to dispute that the Egyptian
kings were considered ... adultery." [954] Thus a man is forbidden both to ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/a plea regarding christians by.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... of the propagation of children, is forbidden to go ... and those of the First Book of
Kings; [4404] And ... the Lord's command to increase, and multiply, and replenish ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

What does it mean that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the kings of Israel and Judah? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Joash in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus