Wife: Michal (Saul’s daughter)
Children: She was childless
What Happened: David gave her five nephews to the Gibeonites to be killed because of Saul’s sins
Wife: Ahinoam (from Jezreel)
Children: Amnon, David’s firstborn
What Happened: He raped Tamar, his half sister, and was later murdered by Absalom in revenge
Wife: Maacah (daughter of King Talmai of Geshur)
Children: Absalom, third son Tamar, the only daughter mentioned by name
What Happened: Absalom killed Amnon for raping Tamar and then fled to Geshur. Later he returned, only to rebel against David. He set up a tent on the roof and slept with 10 of his father’s concubines there. His pride led to his death.
Wife: Haggith
Children: Adonijah, fourth son. He was very handsome, but it is recorded that he was never disciplined
What Happened: He set himself up as king before David’s death. His plot was exposed, and David spared his life, but his half brother Solomon later had him executed
Wife: Bathsheba
Children: Unnamed son
What Happened: Died in fulfillment of God’s punishment for David and Bathsheba’s adultery
Wife: Bathsheba
Children: Solomon
What Happened: Became the next king of Israel. Ironically Solomon’s many wives caused his downfall
David’s many wives caused him much grief. And as a result of David’s sin with Bathsheba, God said that murder would be a constant threat in his family, his family would rebel, and someone else would sleep with his wives. All this happened as the prophet Nathan had predicted. The consequences of sin affect not only us but those we know and love. Remember that the next time you are tempted to sin.