Many prominent figures in the Bible had multiple wives, including Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon, with Solomon having the most (700 wives, 300 concubines). Other biblical polygamists were Esau, Elkanah, Gideon, Saul, Rehoboam, and Lamech, the first person mentioned with two wives, though the Bible records problems and negative consequences stemming from these unions, even in righteous figures.
Despite these nuances to the biblical perspective on polygamy, many important figures had more than one wife, such as Esau (Gen 26:34; 28:6-9), Jacob (Gen 29:15-28), Elkanah (1 Samuel 1:1-8), David (1 Samuel 25:39-44; 2 Samuel 3:2-5; 5:13-16), and Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-3).
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.
Abijah married fourteen wives, and had 22 sons and 16 daughters. No attempted harmonization has found acceptance with scholars.
The first polygamist was Lamech. He “married two women” (Genesis 4:19). Abraham had three wives—Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah. Jacob, David, and Solomon all had multiple wives as well.
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.
MEET LILITH – ADAM'S FIRST WIFE
Lilith's name is not included in the creation story of the Torah but she appears in several midrashic texts. There are multiple origin stories for Lilith, but the most popular story depicts Lilith as the first wife of Adam.
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). His wives were to have included the daughter of Pharaoh, as well as women of Moabite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite origins (1 Kgs 7:8; 11:1).
Even if the Old Testament supports polygamy (as we've just shown, it doesn't), the New Testament is what matters most for if its still allowable for us Christians. And plainly, the New Testament doesn't allow it. Jesus says a man should be joined to his wife, and they will become one flesh (Matt. 19:3-6).
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.
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).
More companionship, higher income, and ongoing sexual variety are often cited as advantages of polygamous or polyamorous relationships. The definitions of polygamy can vary and include polyandry and polygyny. Polyandry is a common option for women who are open to polygamy, just as polygyny is for men.
Zipporah, the wife of Moses took there upon a sharp stone and circumcised her son, and in so doing reproved her husband. As a result of the circumcision the Lord let Moses go, and Zipporah said to Moses, "A bloody husband thou art.”
10 If a man takes a second wife, he must continue to give his first wife the same amount of food and clothing and the same rights that she had before. 10 If that son marries another woman, he must not deprive the first wife of food, clothes, or sex.
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.
God allowed polygamy then for the same reason that He allows fornication now. Although our sin has consequences, He doesn't prevent us from committing it. Even though David was "a man after God's own heart", he was still a sinner. Just like his son Solomon, who was the wisest man who ever lived but still went astray.
God allowed Abraham, David, and other faithful Old Testament men to have several wives. Why was it okay in those days but not today? We have to distinguish between what God permits and what he prescribes in his word. Polygamy was not part of God's design for the world.
Yet already by the fourth or fifth century of the common era, the practice was discouraged or banned, and none of the rabbis named in the Talmud had polygamous relationships. Furthermore, a ruling by 10th century Rabbi Gershom ben Yehuda banned the practice completely for Ashkenazi Jews.
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.
Both the Deuteronomist and the Chronicler repeatedly testify that Solomon married an African woman who was the daughter of Pharaoh. The fact that Pharaoh‟s daughter was singled out in this manner is significant as similar treatment was not given to his many other wives and concubines.
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.
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.
According to midrashic literature, Adam's first wife was not Eve but a woman named Lilith, who was created in the first Genesis account. Only when Lilith rebelled and abandoned Adam did God create Eve, in the second account, as a replacement.
Lucifer's first wife, in many mythological, religious (especially Jewish folklore), and modern pop culture interpretations (like Hazbin Hotel or Lucifer series), is Lilith, often portrayed as Adam's first wife who refused to be subservient, left Eden, and later became a powerful demonic figure, sometimes associated with or even married to Lucifer/Satan as the Queen of Hell.
Also, in the biblical account Lillith is punished for not being sexually subservient to her husband because this is a sin, technically the original sin, considering Lilith came before Eve. Because Lilith came before Eve, Lilith was the bold, independent, strong, woman who committed the "orignal sin".