How many wives did King David have?

Response

King David had multiple wives, as recorded in the Bible, although only eight of them are specifically named. Out of these eight, five are mentioned just once. The remaining three wives play significant roles in King David’s narrative.

David’s initial wife was Michal, the daughter of King Saul. Her tale unfolds in 1 Samuel 18–19. Saul offered Michal to David for marriage after David triumphed over a hundred Philistines. However, Saul, always apprehensive of David’s growing popularity, plotted to kill his new son-in-law. Yet, Michal, who cherished David, alerted him to the scheme and aided his escape. Subsequently, Saul gave Michal to another man. After David ascended to the throne, Michal was reinstated as his wife (2 Samuel 3). She later scorned David upon witnessing him dance before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14-22). Michal remained childless, possibly as a consequence of her mockery of the Lord’s servant (verse 23).

The account of David’s second noteworthy wife, Abigail, is recounted in 1 Samuel 25. Initially married to Nabal, a wicked man who insulted David, Abigail intervened when David, in his fury, planned to annihilate Nabal and his household. Displaying wisdom and prudence, Abigail met David as he and his men approached. She humbled herself before him and persuaded him to forgo vengeance and bloodshed. David acknowledged her discernment as a divine gift. Abigail later informed Nabal of the danger he narrowly escaped. Nabal was struck by fear and became like stone (verse 37). Subsequently, God struck Nabal, leading to his demise, and Abigail then became David’s wife.

The tragic tale of David’s wife Bathsheba is widely known (2 Samuel 11:1-17). Initially married to Uriah the Hittite, a loyal soldier in David’s army, Bathsheba was seen by David bathing while Uriah was away at war.

One night, David saw Bathsheba in the courtyard; she was beautiful, and David desired her. Despite knowing she was married to another man, David called her to his palace and lay with her. When Bathsheba discovered she was pregnant, she told David. Instead of repenting, the king compounded his sin. David arranged for Uriah to be placed on the front lines of the battlefield, where he was deserted by his comrades and killed by the enemy. Subsequently, David wed Bathsheba, but their child passed away shortly after birth. David documented his wrongdoing and remorse for these wicked deeds in Psalm 51. David and Bathsheba had four more children «And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel: », (1 Chronicles 3:5). Their son Solomon succeeded his father.

David’s other five wives were Ahinoam, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah (2 Samuel 3:2-5;1 Chronicles 3:1-3). According to 2 Samuel 5:13, David took more wives in Jerusalem, but the exact number is unknown.