How many children did King David have?

Answer

David had eight named wives, in addition to others who were unnamed, and an unspecified number of concubines. The Bible mentions nineteen sons and one daughter, Tamar, from these marriages (1 Chronicles 3:1-9). If we include the son who passed away in infancy as a result of David’s adulterous affair with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:16-23), David had at least twenty-one children from his wives, along with an unknown number from his numerous concubines.

Here is a list of the named children, along with brief descriptions of each:

1) Amnon: David’s firstborn, born to his wife Ahinoam, was a man of questionable character driven by lust. He developed an unhealthy obsession with his half-sister Tamar (the daughter of Maakah) and deceived her into his chamber under false pretenses to commit rape. He was later avenged by Tamar’s full brother, Absalom, who murdered him (2 Samuel 13).

2) Daniel: There is no information available about David’s second son, who was born to his wife Abigail.

3) Absalom: Third in line, Absalom stands out as one of David’s most infamous sons. The son of David and Maakah, Absalom was known for his fiery temper and thirst for power. He orchestrated the killing of his half-brother Amnon to avenge his sister’s rape and then conspired to seize his father’s throne. Gaining support in Jerusalem, he forced David to flee the city. As part of his coup, Absalom publicly engaged in relations with David’s concubines. He met his demise in battle when Joab, David’s army commander, struck him down. Refer to 2 Samuel 13–19 for more details.

4) Adonijah: David’s fourth son, born to his wife Haggith, was handsome yet lacked discipline. “And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so?” (1 Kings 1:6).

d him at any time in saying, “Why have you done so?” and he also was a very handsome man; and his mother bore him after Absalom.” , (1 Kings 1:6). He is known for a failed attempt to become king of Israel after his father died “And Adonijah slaughtered sheep, oxen, and fattened cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel, and invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants.” , (1 Kings 1:9). Adonijah was eventually executed by his half-brother Solomon, the rightful king, for continued insurrection and attempts to steal the throne (1 Kings 2:23-25).

5) Shephatiah. Nothing is known of David’s fifth son, born to his wife Abital.

6) Ithream. Nothing is known of this son by David’s wife Eglah.

7) Shimea (Shammua). A son of Bathsheba, David’s seventh son was born in Jerusalem, but nothing else is known about him.

8) Shobab. Another son of Bathsheba; nothing else is known about him.

9) Nathan. David’s eighth son was also Bathsheba’s, and nothing else is known of him. We can surmise that Nathan was named after the prophet Nathan, who had a long-term association with David.

10) Solomon (also called Jedidiah). David’s most famous son was also by Bathsheba. God chose Solomon to become the next king of Israel. God offered to grant Solomon anything he asked for. Solomon asked for wisdom to rule the people well (1 Kings 3:4-15). God was so pleased with Solomon’s request that He granted the wisdom and also gave him unmatched wealth and a long life. Solomon was the author of most of the Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, and the book of Ecclesiastes.

David’s remaining children were born in Jerusalem, but we don’t know much

Else about them:

11) Ibhar

12) Elishama

13) Eliphelet

14) Nogah

15) Nepheg

16) Japhia

17) another Elishama

18) Eliada

19) another Eliphelet

20) Tamar. We do not know Tamar’s position in the birth order, but we do know she was the daughter of Maakah. We are told of her rape at the hands of her half-brother Amnon and that afterwards she lived in isolation at her brother Absalom’s house «And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house. », (2 Samuel 13:20).

David had a son named Jerimoth, who is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 11:18. It’s not clear whether he is one of the sons mentioned above (using another name) or if he was one of David’s sons by a concubine.

It is likely that David had many more sons and daughters who are not recorded in Scripture, as he had more wives and concubines than the ones who are identified «These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister. », (1 Chronicles 3:9).