The biblical figure known for having a massive number of wives and concubines, including around 700 wives and 300 concubines, was King Solomon, the third king of Israel, known for his wisdom and wealth, but whose foreign wives led him to worship other gods, as described in 1 Kings 11.
Solomon, third king of Israel (reigned c. 968–928 B.C.E.), is said to have had a harem that included 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kgs 11:3).
King Solomon sinned by acquiring many foreign wives and horses because he thought he knew the reason for the biblical prohibition and thought it did not apply to him. When King Solomon married Pharaoh's daughter, a sandbank formed which eventually formed the "great nation.
2The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. 3He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord.
If we accept Ashley's hypothesis, it suggests that Moses may have had two different wives in the Bible: Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro. She plays a significant role in Moses' journey from Midian to Egypt. Cushite woman from Nubia whose exact identity and specific relation to Moses are not elaborated in the Bible.
Moses, a Jew, apparently married a black African and was approved by God. We learn in Numbers that “Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman” (Num. 12:1).
Abijah married fourteen wives, and had 22 sons and 16 daughters. No attempted harmonization has found acceptance with scholars.
Bathsheba (/bæθˈʃiːbə, ˈbæθʃɪbə/; Hebrew: בַּת־שֶׁבַע Baṯ-šeḇaʿ, lit. 'Daughter of Sheba' or 'Daughter of the Oath') was an Israelite queen consort. According to the Hebrew Bible, she was the wife of Uriah the Hittite and later of David, with whom she had all of her five children.
With the exception of Bishops and Deacons being the husband of but one wife, there is no ban on polygamy to be found in the Bible. Monogamy became a standard Christian practice in Europe because the Greeks and Romans, who dominate western culture, considered polygamy to abhorrent.
Historical Narrations Mention a Much Higher Number
But Al-Hafidh ibn Hajar narrated in his story of Sulayman (peace be upon him) in Al-Bidayah wanl-Nihayah, vol. 2, from many of the Salaf, that the number of Sulayman's wives was one thousand.
She and David ended up having four sons together: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon (1 Chronicles 3:5). It's fitting that Bathsheba would name one of her children Nathan - since it was the prophet Nathan who stood up to David when he had manipulated and abused her.
Having so many wives was likely a status symbol for Solomon. Many of these wives were likely obtained as part of a political strategy : think foreign princesses given in marriage to secure peace or alliances. They were probably housed in different locations managed by eunuchs and officials.
Therein, Kipling identifies Balkis, "Queen that was of Sheba and Sable and the Rivers of the Gold of the South" as best, and perhaps only, beloved of the 1000 wives of Suleiman-bin-Daoud, King Solomon.
1. King Solomon Of Israel. King Solomon of Israel is biblically recorded as having 700 wives and 300 concubines. These unions weren't solely for desire—they served political ends, strengthening alliances with foreign powers.
At times, God puts up with things—even things he warned against—because he has larger purposes in mind. That's why he allowed divorce and polygamy for a time. The kings in Israel and patriarchs like Abraham had many wives, but that wasn't how it was supposed to be, and it's not what God wants for his people today.
Rehoboam had 18 wives and 60 concubines. They bore him 28 sons and 60 daughters. His wives included his cousin Mahalath, the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David, and Abihail, the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse.
Jesus criticized polygamy as a warped version of the lifelong committed relationship of a one-plus-one marriage. Our society recognizes that this is a very special relationship, and we strive toward it, but in many cases, we fail.
According to one view, Abraham remarried after the death of Sarah and had a total of three wives: Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah. Another tradition identifies Keturah with Hagar, and thus Abraham married only twice.
"In the case of polygamy, there is a universal standard – it is understood to be a sin, therefore polygamists are not admitted to positions of leadership including Holy Orders, nor after acceptance of the Gospel can a convert take another wife, nor, in some areas, are they admitted to Holy Communion."
Abigail's story echoes in the hearts of all women as an example of true submission and courage, even in the face of danger… In 1 Samuel 25, a beautiful story emerges, one of submission and deliverance.
After Michal was returned to David, she criticised him for dancing in an undignified manner, as he brought the Ark of the Covenant to the newly captured Jerusalem in a religious procession. For this she is punished, according to Samuel, with not having children till the day she dies.
Bathsheba lay with David not be- cause she wanted to but because she could do nothing to stop him. If she realized her powerlessness, that too made her feel ashamed.
Furthermore, the tone of Genesis 2.23–24 indicates that Eve alone was enough to 'complete' him or sate his loneliness, indicating that monogamy was God's plan for marriage as it was instituted for the first couple. Cain's descendant Lamech was the first polygamous husband, in Genesis 4.19.
Also that Caleb had two wives, Azubah, the first, apparently the same as Jerioth, and Ephrah, the second, the mother of Hur; and that this second marriage of Caleb did not take place till after Hezron's death. SEE NEGEB-CALEB.
8 Sarah had been married seven times, but the evil demon, Asmodeus, killed each husband before the marriage could be consummated. The servant woman said to Sarah, "You husband killer! Look at you! You've already had seven husbands, but not one of them lived long enough to give you a son.