1 Chronicles 14:3

And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.

And David {H1732} took {H3947} more wives {H802} at Jerusalem {H3389}: and David {H1732} begat {H3205} more sons {H1121} and daughters {H1323}.

David took more concubines and wives in Yerushalayim, and David became father of more sons and daughters.

And David took more wives in Jerusalem and became the father of more sons and daughters.

And David took more wives at Jerusalem; and David begat more sons and daughters.

Commentary

Context

First Chronicles 14:3 is situated within the narrative of King David's reign, specifically after his establishment in Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This verse immediately follows the account of Hiram, King of Tyre, sending materials and craftsmen to build David's palace, signifying the recognition of David's consolidated power and the stability of his kingdom. It also precedes the significant event of David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, a pivotal moment in Israelite history. The mention of David taking more wives and begetting more children highlights the expansion and strengthening of his royal household, which was often seen as a reflection of a king's prosperity and influence in the ancient Near East.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Expansion of David's Household and Kingdom: This verse directly illustrates the growth of David's personal family, which symbolically parallels the growth and consolidation of his kingdom. As David's power increased, so did his lineage, fulfilling in part the promise of a dynasty.
  • Polygamy in Ancient Israel: The practice of kings taking multiple wives was common in the ancient world, often for political alliances or to secure a large line of succession. While prevalent, the Bible presents polygamy as deviating from God's original design for marriage (Genesis 2:24) and often led to significant internal strife and moral compromise within royal families, as seen in David's own life and particularly with King Solomon's many wives (1 Kings 11:3). The Law of Moses warned against kings multiplying wives excessively (Deuteronomy 17:17).
  • Divine Providence Amidst Human Choices: Despite David's human choices, including polygamy, God continued to work through him to establish the Davidic lineage and fulfill His covenant promises regarding the eternal throne (2 Samuel 7:12). This verse, like its parallel in 2 Samuel 5:13, is a factual statement of events, not an endorsement of the practice.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb for "took" is laqach (ΧœΦΈΧ§Φ·Χ—), a common word meaning "to take, seize, or acquire." In this context, it refers to the act of marriage. The word for "begat" is yalad (Χ™ΦΈΧœΦ·Χ“), which simply means "to bear, bring forth, or beget." These terms are straightforward descriptions of David's expanding family without hidden nuances, emphasizing the simple fact of his increased progeny.

Practical Application

While polygamy is not a practice endorsed by Christian faith today, this verse still offers valuable lessons. It reminds us that:

  • God often works through imperfect people and circumstances to achieve His perfect will. David, though a man after God's own heart, had flaws and made choices that did not align with God's ideal.
  • The Bible records historical events as they happened, even those that portray human failings, providing a realistic view of biblical figures. This allows for honest reflection on the consequences of choices.
  • The importance of lineage and family in God's plan is a recurring theme, ultimately pointing to the lineage of Christ.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 19:8

    He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

  • Deuteronomy 17:17

    Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

  • 2 Samuel 5:13

    And David took [him] more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.

  • Proverbs 5:18

    Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

  • Proverbs 5:19

    [Let her be as] the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

  • 1 Kings 11:3

    And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

  • Malachi 2:14

    Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet [is] she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
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