A wise as King Solomon in the bible, why did he choose to have so many wives and concubine? Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The foreign wives included women from the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites. Its important to mingle with unbelievers and advance the kingdom of God. In WebNevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. (1 Kings 11:4-8) And who physically built those altars? Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. You will not find the names of all of Solomons wives. This part of the "succession narrative" shows that David had no intention of making Solomon king until Bathsheba and Nathan got involved. So Hadad said to the king, Let me go; I will return to my own country., 22Why do you want to go back to your own country? the king asked. Features thousands of biographic and thematic essays on Jewish women around the world. WebHe had 700 wives who were princesses and 300 wives who were concubines. ), is said to have had a harem that included 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kgs 11:3). During Rehoboam's reign, 1 Kings 14:22 says Judah did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Let us know. 3 He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. Access 50+ premium resources. Bathsheba, also spelled Bethsabee, in the Hebrew Bible (2 Samuel 11, 12; 1 Kings 1, 2), wife of Uriah the Hittite; she later became one of the wives of King David and the mother of King Solomon. One legend concerning Asmodeus (see: The Story of King Solomon and Ashmedai) goes on to state that Solomon one day asked Asmodeus what could make demons powerful over man, and Asmodeus asked to be freed and given the ring so that he could demonstrate; Solomon agreed but Asmodeus threw the ring into the sea and it was swallowed by a fish. 28Jeroboam was a capable man, and Solomon saw that this young man was a good worker. Foreign women were considered a potential source of trouble because they might not always adopt the culture and values of their husbands and their new place of residence. 29One day as Jeroboam was leaving Jerusalem, Ahijah, the prophet from Shiloh, who was wearing a new coat, met him on the road. As influential as the King of Israel is, hundreds of women had their eyes on the king. Unfortunately, Rehoboam followed the advice of his peers leading him to lose half of his kingdom. Source: Dorotheum, via Wikimedia Commons. Solomon began as a man dedicated to God but fell deeper and deeper into patterns of sin after he took 1,000 wives, including Naamah. 1 Kings 11:3 records that among Solomon's women were 700 princesses and 300 concubines. The woman from Sidon was said to be a widow looking for a husband. The story of his life and relationships with his wives and concubines is fascinating, and exploring it can help us learn more about this mysterious ruler. By the sins they committed they stirred up his jealous anger more than those who were before them had done.They set up shrines and worshipped idols, all going against Gods command to not have any other gods beside him. They left a disastrous legacy in their wake. The daughter of the Pharaoh was believed to be either the daughter of the Pharaoh Shishak or the Pharaoh Sheshonq I. Some decisions dont limit themselves to our lifetimes. 2 Samuel 3:2-5 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; . It only takes a minute to sign up. And his son Rehoboam became king in his place. If you will check our articles, you may find some relevant answers to your questions. Reinhartz, Adele. (Source: Jewish Womens Archives). Among the many nations, there is no king like him. His wives were from Egypt, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and several other countries. (P) 11So the Lord said to Solomon, Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees,(Q) which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear(R) the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. The Lord was angry with Solomon, 10because he had commanded Solomon not to follow other gods. Which reverse polarity protection is better and why? 19Pharaoh was so pleased with Hadad that he gave him a sister of his own wife, Queen Tahpenes, in marriage. They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. Deuteronomy 17: 16 The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, You are not to go back that way again. 17 He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. The hundreds of women said to have married King Solomon or reside in his harem described in the Book of Kings included the daughter of Pharaoh and women of Moabite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite origins. Foreign women, in biblical literature, were always associated with seduction, prostitution, sexual disloyalty, and fertility cults, yet not all foreign women were viewed as evil. Start for FREE. The Rabbis claim this was a divine punishment for Solomon's having failed to follow three divine commands, and Solomon was forced to wander from city to city, until he eventually arrived in an Ammonite city where he was forced to work in the king's kitchens. 21While he was in Egypt, Hadad heard that David had died and that Joab, the commander of the army, was dead also. After the Israelites sinned against God byworshiping other idols, he allowed Elgon king of Moab to have power over Israel. It can be debated that their son, Rehoboam, faired even worse, growing up in a home undedicated to God and continuing the pagan traditions of his father. Save 15% on BibleGateway+ with code SPRINGSTUDY15. Rehoboam, however, did not turn back to God. 1 Kings 11:3 states He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray..