I'm rather new to studying the Bible regularly and I'm having a difficulty with King David. Can someone please explain how David could take multiple wives and concubines, have children with them, and still be close to the Lord. It seems to me as though he was living in sin and if anything, should be farther and farther away from the Lord. Or does he grow farther and farther from the Lord and this really leads him to his perhaps greatest sin with Bathsheba?
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King David and Multiple Wives and Concubines
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daveleau
In all you do, do it for Christ and w/ Him in mind
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Some things were allowed in the OT that are not allowed now. It was culturally acceptable to have many wives to spread his geneology around and have more children. It was not for gratification, but for porpogation. Bathsheeba was a sin for David because he lusted after her, she was married already and because he had her husband killed. There are many instances of multiple wives in the OT. Jacob had two and had children with their servants.
A more clear cut example of things being allowed by the Law despite their sinfulness is divorce. Matt 19:7-9. Some things were written into the Law that were not from God. This was called casuistry in the times of Jesus. The Jews wrote things into the Law that gave themselves loopholes. David followed the Law except when he sinned with Bathsheeba and when he performed a census out of pride.
I am interested to see answers to this question. This is an issue I haven't seen addressed lately.
God bless,
Dave
A more clear cut example of things being allowed by the Law despite their sinfulness is divorce. Matt 19:7-9. Some things were written into the Law that were not from God. This was called casuistry in the times of Jesus. The Jews wrote things into the Law that gave themselves loopholes. David followed the Law except when he sinned with Bathsheeba and when he performed a census out of pride.
I am interested to see answers to this question. This is an issue I haven't seen addressed lately.
God bless,
Dave
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Dmckay
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What Daveleau has said is correct, this was a case of something that was a culltural practice being tolerated, NOT espoused as an acceptable practice in Scripture. Part of the reason that this was done was that David was the king. When he made treaties with the kings or tribal leaders in the surrounding areas often the deals would be sealed by the giving of a bride. The thinking perhaps being that David or Solomon or any of the other kings would be less likely to attack their fathers-in-law. After all how harmonious is life in the palace going to be if you kill your wife's father?
Lest you think that Biblical silence on this matter condones the practice of multiple wives remember that even Solomon, The wisest man who ever lived, fell into this practice and it lead him into no end of difficulties, including idolatry.
PS. Do you know that the Chinese ideogram for trouble is the symbol for two women under the same roof?
Lest you think that Biblical silence on this matter condones the practice of multiple wives remember that even Solomon, The wisest man who ever lived, fell into this practice and it lead him into no end of difficulties, including idolatry.
PS. Do you know that the Chinese ideogram for trouble is the symbol for two women under the same roof?
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