Many theologians believe that the Proverbs 31 woman, whom Solomon wrote about, was Davids great-grandmother Ruth (Ruth 4:21-22). 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! The stories and names of some of them have transcended more in history, while others have simply been mentioned without specifying the origin. Bathsheba in the Bible - character, marriage, and life lessons 2. All rights reserved. God restored David to intimate spiritual fellowship. If you have a Bible question for Pastor Doug Batchelor or the Amazing Facts Bible answer team, please submit it by clicking here. The Brown commentary states "In this conduct David transgressed an express law, which forbade the king of Israel to multiply . 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). The Bible tells us that Bathsheba gave birth to a child following her adulterous affair with David. Learn Religions. Bathsheba is the wife most people associate with David . She finds out shes pregnant. 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. (2021, September 10). Updated on May 07, 2019. David used several different women to balance out his faults. (2 Samuel 11:2-4) "David didn't invite Bathsheba. While he walked around on the roof of his house, David spied the married woman, Bathsheba, bathing. 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. If so, the sons of David with his wives would total at least 20. Get yours before supplies run out. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Repentance didnt reverse the effects of Davids sin. Consequently, Bathsheba and David had sex at one of the best possible moments for her to conceivewhich she did, with tragic results. According to the Bible, his first wife was Michal, the daughter of King Saul. However, after Solomon became king, Adonijah used Bathsheba to ask Solomon a favor: he wanted Abishags hand in marriage (1 Kings 2:13-23). Now the pressure was really on the king, who might have concealed his affair with Bathsheba, but couldn't hide her pregnancy for long. Doing the right thing, regardless of circumstances, is true righteousness. 1 Chronicles 3:1-4 states that King David's first seven wives gave him six children, while they lived in Hebron. Then God gave the kingdom and all of its possessions . Adonijah was later executed by his brother Solomon for his insurrection and failed attempts to steal the throne (1 Kings 1-2). Our flagship program features the most informative and inspiring messages from Pastor Doug and more. He didn't trick her. To consummate his insurrection, Absalom slept with his father's concubines in public for everyone to see (2 Samuel 16:20-23). After David moved his capital to Jerusalem, he married Bathsheba. David and Bathsheba Bible Story and 10 Important Lessons In his epistle to the Romans, Paul mentions the edifying nature of the entire Old Testament stating, For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scripture we might have hope (Romans 15:4). In his arrogance and lust for power, Absalom eventually turned the hearts of the people against his father and later succeeded in taking the throne of Israel, plunging the nation into a civil war (2 Samuel 15). 1 Chronicles 3:1-9 lists sons that David had with seven women, six of which he married while living in exile in Hebron. Are they more prone to sexual sin than regular people? News reached Saul that his daughter, Michal, loved David. (1 Samuel 13:14), Beware of power. Abigail was the second of Davids wives. 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. Haggith(1 Chr 3:2)(2 Sam 3:4) David already had three wives before he married Bathsheba. David, as well as kings which followed (including his son Solomon who had 700 wives and 300 concubines: 1 Kin 11:3 ), disobeyed . How Many Wives Did King David Have and What Do We Know about Them? Prior to fleeing from King Saul, David had also married Michal, the daughter of Saul (1 Samuel 18:27-28). David sends for Bathshebas husband to come home to try to cover up his sin. 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. Did King David Rape Bathsheba? 2 Samuel 12:8 Why did God give David the wives of - NeverThirsty Their later marriage seems to have been close ( 2 Samuel 12:24) and loyal ( 1 Kings 1:28-31 ). Absalom was later killed by David's commander Joab, against David's wishes (2 Samuel 18). After David had moved his kingdom to Jerusalem, where he ruled for thirty-three years, he had four more children with Bathsheba. No other account in the Bible so vividly captures the heart-wrenching struggle of a sinful man who earnestly sought after the Lord yet failed to measure up. The earlier we can identify and address problematic habits and behavior in our children, the better. Sure enough, Joab put Uriah on the front lines when David's army attacksRabbathafter a long siege, although Joab didn't withdraw the army as David instructed. In ( Deut 17:17 ), God forbid kings from taking multiple wives. 4. "Bathsheba and David: Biblical Romance and Tragedy." When he heard this, David took Abigail as his wife. He won King Saul's daughter . Sue is agented withKaren Neumair atCredo Communications. While Uriah was away at war, David saw Bathsheba bathing in her courtyard one night; she was beautiful, and David lusted after her. David consoled Bathsheba by getting her pregnant again, this time with a son the named Solomon. He didn't woo her. Bathsheba: Theres no doubt Bathsheba is the most known among Davids wives. 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. Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam of Jezreel, one of David's first wives ( 1 Samuel 25:43 ). Similarly, sin and bad character can set the example for our children to learn from and imitate. Nathan predicts the babys death and that violence and abuse will continue in Davids family. When David danced before the Ark of the Covenant as it entered Jerusalem, Michal rebuked him for his undignified behavior. We have compiled these articles to help you study those whom God chose to set before us as examples in His Word. His son Solomon expanded the empire that David built. Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. David stopped grooming integrity. When David died, Solomon became king after executing his rival Adonijah. Products that will appeal to the young and young at heart. We know Michal was devoted to David, enough to hide him from her own father. Eglah(1 Chr 3:3)(2 Sam 3:5) Free Will. 10 Things You Need to Know about the Number 666, 10 Books of the Bible You Should Read Again and Again, 10 Most Encouraging Bible Verses That Will Uplift Your Heart and Soul, 5 Things That Hurt Relationships with Grandkids, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God, How to Have Joy in Your Golden Years Despite These 10 Life Losses, 4 Things You Should Know about Big George Foreman, 8 Ways You Are Belittling Your Husband and What God Says about It, Maybe Money Can Buy Happiness, but Not Joy. Comments that include name-calling, profanity, harassment, ridicule, etc. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Sue Schlesmanis an award-winning author, teacher, and church leader. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. He attends Faith Fellowship Church in East Rochester, OH where he has given multiple sermons and is discipled by pastor Chet Howes. It was not David's best or brightest moment. First, 2 Samuel 11:711 describes how David tried to attribute Bathsheba's pregnancy to Uriah. David raped Bathsheba and sent her home. And later David lost yet another son, Adonijah. If God remained faithful to David in spite of his failings, we can rest assured He will remain faithful to us despite ours. Bathsheba and David's Adultery Led Him to Greater Sins. Astle, Cynthia. But Nathans prophecies still come true. It is told in the book of 2 Samuel 11. 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. Abigail: Davids second wife, Abigail, is found in 1 Samuel 25 during the saga of Davids life when he fled King Saul. At this point David was desperate. You read that correctly, God recorded Davids polygamous lifestyle for our instruction and encouragement. Not exactly romantic. Heart-touching stories of lives impacted by the ministry. Notes:1. 10. Seek humility because its a proven weapon against the sins that come with power and prestige. David offered his services to a man named Nabal, Abigails husband before David. 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). His many wives resulted in many children with rivalries and unhealthy relationships with each other. Saul had no choice but to give Michal to David as his wife ( 1 Samuel 18:20-27 ). Amnon David's oldest son grew up to be a selfish, licentious young man who was consumed with lust for his virgin half-sister Tamar. 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. To that total we would add all the unnamed sons of his concubines. This was done in accordance with the Mosaic law which gave instruction on how soldiers were to keep themselves pure during the time of war. A:We cannot not know for certain how many wives David had. What Makes Twila Paris a Great Christian Musician? The David and Bathsheba story involved the ironic and subtle juxtapositions comparing Uriah who was supremely faithful to his king and comrades to David who is not faithful to either but allowed his lust to blind him to his sin. Admittedly, its not always the most exciting part of the Bible to read, however it is incredibly important for understanding the historical accounts recorded. The complex family David created was the source of much sorrow and strife. He gave them Solomon, whose name means Peace. He not only became the next king, but he was also blessed as an ancestor of the Messiah. 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. At first, David called Bathshebas husband, Uriah, away from the battle to give him a report of the army. 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. 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. Wives Of David, Where FromVerses He married 700 women of noble birth and took 300 concubines. Learn how your faithful giving helped thousands know Christ this last year. Worship with Pastor Dougs church each week, featuring beautiful music and life-changing Bible study. Abigail wisely entreated David not to kill Nabal, and he had mercy. David has committed adultery and murder. 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. Nathan told David a few scary consequences of his sin: 1) His secret sin would be made public. While reading through this account, we inevitably stumble across the puzzling records of King Davids wives and concubines. These were born to David at Hebron. David had many wives & concubines - Diana Leagh Matthews The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. Before David took the throne, he used his power to serve others, perhaps most notably the defenseless cities of Keilah and Ziklag (1 Samuel 23:1-14; 30:1-31), but with Bathsheba he abused his power first to serve his lust, and then to preserve his reputation.