From the beginning of David’s young life did He seek God, but this was not always the case, for lust for women also got in the way of doing God’s will at all times. It even got so bad that he started off marrying one woman, Michal, who was Saul’s daughter, but then gave his wife to another man named Phalti, which was recorded in 31 Samuel 25. That same chapter, he decided that he would rather have two other women as his wives, who were Ahinoam and Abigail, so polygamy began. We don’t know why he made this decision, but we can only assume it was the lust in his flesh that caused him to fall into such sin. However, that was still not enough for David, for, in 2 Samuel 3, he decided to marry four other women. These women were Maacah, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah. So this is now six wives in total. And with all six wives, they each had a child from David. We learn their names from the following verses, 4“and unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.” (2 Samuel 3:2-5) Now, just because I make mention of all of this, it does not mean it was right with God or that I agree with. For it was recorded in Deuteronomy 17 that 2“neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.” (Deuteronomy 17:17)
Since the beginning of time, God said, 2“therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24) It was God’s plan for men and women to marry and then have children, but no where does it say to have more than one spouse. Instead, this was always the justification of men in taking more wives and concubines for themselves. All of this stems down to one thing and that is lust. When lust begins to bear fruit in a person’s heart, all they want is something better than what they have now. This is why adultery is running ramped in our society now, where people have a hard time staying married for more than a few years, because of the different affairs that people have. However, if these people were Christians, they should have known better, where the same should have been with David, since people knew him as being after God’s own heart. Jesus said, 5“ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27,28) He also said in that chapter, 5“but I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” (Matthew 5:32) Therefore, marriage is sacred in God’s eyes. People should not be messing around with other people or pornography, for this is adultery. This got David in trouble, which later on he had to repent for his many wives also, which you will read in the Book of Psalm.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I love You. Doing Your will means more to me than being fulfilled in the flesh. I am not willing to have myself be scarred by the lusts of this world any longer. It is not worth being pained by the sins I have committed and the lives I have then affected wrongfully. I am sorry for the life I once led, while in my sexual sins. Back before I knew You I was engrossed with pornography and even an adulterous affair. And when it dawned on me how far I had fallen, I saw myself as a wretched sinner. Surely, You could have struck me dead in that time of my life, while I would have been destined to hell, but You showed me mercy and love. In my sins, I called upon Your Name and You rescued me. Though what I had done had caused many people to distrust me, You never gave up on me. I may not have had the strength to live any differently, but You still put Your Spirit in me. Now I have new desires and a willingness to serve You. Thank You, Jesus. It is because of what You have done for my life that my life is now different. Because You died for my sins and I have made You the Lord of my life, I am cleansed from all my sins. You have shown me compassion while forgiving me. I never knew what love was really like until You came down and opened the door to me in Your Father’s house above. I was the prodigal son, but have returned, my Lord. Thank You, God. I never wanted to leave You, but the world had a stronghold on my life. So I praise You now and forever. I glorify in Your holy Name. My soul sings hallelujah, for my Savior has come to restore my life into the greatest joy of all. I love You, Lord. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.