Ahinoam and Abigail
During his fugitive days in the wilderness of Paran, David married Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the Carmelitess (1 Sam. 25:42,43). Ahinoam was the mother of Amnon, David’s firstborn. Abigail bore David his second son, Chileab, also referred to as Daniel (1 Chr. 3:1), but he is not mentioned again.
Abigail’s first husband, Nabal, was a wealthy, but obnoxious, man. His spiteful treatment of David’s men, when they asked for acknowledgement of protection they had provided, so angered David that he threatened Nabal’s household (v.17). Hearing of the strife and knowing Nabal was at fault, Abigail averted tragedy by intercepting David as he marched upon Nabal. Abigail is described as “a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance.” When she informed Nabal of his narrow escape, his heart died within him (1 Sam. 25:37,38). Following Nabal’s death, Abigail was invited by David to become his wife. Sometime later, she and Ahinoam had the harrowing experience of being held captive by the Amalekites until rescued by David and his men.
Maachah
David’s fourth wife, Maachah, the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur, bore him a third son, Absalom, and a daughter, Tamar (2 Sam. 3:3; 1 Chr. 3:2). There are no other references to this particular Maachah.
Amnon’s lust
Amnon, David’s eldest son, desired his half-sister Tamar. His cousin Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah (2 Sam. 13:3), suggested that Amnon play sick, then request of David that Tamar act as nurse during his illness. With his proposal accepted, Amnon dismissed everyone from the room and, taking Tamar into his chamber, forced her to lie with him. When he was finished, his desire turned to hatred and he thrust her from the room. This matter greatly angered David. Absalom, Tamar’s brother, waited more calmly for an opportunity to avenge Tamar.
Absalom’s revenge
Absalom was of a striking appearance: “In all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him” (2 Sam. 14:25). Absalom’s character did not match his flawless appearance.
Several years after Tamar was forced by Amnon, Absalom invited all of his brothers to a sheep shearing. He counseled his servants to strike Amnon dead when he was merry with wine. By eliminating the firstborn, Absalom not only avenged his sister, but also moved up one step in the kingly succession (2 Sam. 13:30). He then fled to his grandfather in Geshur while David and his remaining sons mourned Amnon’s death.
Upon Joab’s urging, David agreed to Absalom’s return to Jerusalem but refused to see him for two years (2 Sam. 14:23). During that time, Absalom schemed to seize David’s throne. He flattered the people and promised justice would be enhanced if he were king.
Absalom’s revolt
After four years, Absalom deceived David into letting him go to Hebron where he began his revolt. When David heard that “the hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom,” he fled. Absalom entered Jerusalem unopposed and organized a massive force to pursue his father.
The battle was engaged in the wood of Ephraim where Absalom was entangled in the branches of a great oak. He hung there until Joab thrust three darts through his heart. Although this restored the kingdom to David, he was overcome with grief and did not savor the victory. His love for his son was such that he had instructed his commanders to “deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom” (2 Sam. 18:5).
Bathsheba
Bathsheba is the best known of David’s wives because of David’s great sin involving her. While Joab and the army besieged Rabbah of Ammon, David tarried at Jerusalem. Walking on the roof of his house, he spied a beautiful woman washing herself. A guarded inquiry informed David that she was already married to one of David’s elite soldiers, Uriah the Hittite. In spite of this knowledge, David sent for her and lay with her (2 Sam. 11:4).
In a few weeks, Bathsheba informed David that she was with child. David quickly arranged for Uriah’s return, expecting that he would visit his wife, creating the appearance Uriah was father of the child.
Uriah’s continued refusal to visit Bathsheba frustrated David’s attempt to conceal his sin. Knowing Uriah would be aware he had not fathered the child, David sent a secret message to Joab by Uriah himself which insured Uriah’s death in battle. When her mourning for Uriah was past, Bathsheba became David’s wife, “but the thing that David had done displeased the LORD” (v.27).
Bathsheba’s children
The child born of this union did not live long, but Bathsheba gave David four other sons: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon (1 Chr. 3:5). Solomon, also called Jedidiah, succeeded David as king. His reign was one of peace and he was able to build the temple his father had yearned to build for God. But, as we know, even with this son, tragic events occurred.
Solomon married many wives who “turned away his heart after other gods.” In summarizing Solomon, we are told, “His heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father” (1 Kgs. 11:4).
Abishag
David’s last “wife” was Abishag, a Shunammite, a fair young virgin who cherished the king, ministering to him in his old age. She remained at David’s side while he lived out his final days.
Adonijah
When David was old, his fourth son, Adonijah of Haggith, set his sights on being king. He gained support from his cousin Joab and Abiathar the priest, but his efforts were opposed by, among others, Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet. Nathan encouraged Bathsheba to ask David to keep his promise that Solomon would succeed him as king (1 Kgs. 1:13). David instructed them to take Solomon to Gihon to be anointed king over Israel.
This sudden move frightened Adonijah, who temporarily gave up his efforts to be king. Later he asked Bathsheba for Abishag, David’s young widow, for his wife. The request was considered a renewal of Adonijah’s attempt to take the throne so he had his brother put to death. As God had declared to David, “the sword shall never depart from thine house” (2 Sam. 12:10).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One