1 Chronicles 14:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 14:3 succinctly records King David's expansion of his royal household in Jerusalem through additional marriages and the subsequent birth of more sons and daughters. This brief statement, positioned within the narrative of David's established reign, serves as a factual account of his increasing power and the consolidation of his monarchy. It reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding that a king's prosperity and stability were often symbolized by the size and fruitfulness of his family and lineage, implicitly highlighting the growth of the Davidic line chosen by God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the Chronicler's account of David's reign in Jerusalem. It immediately follows the narrative of Hiram, King of Tyre, sending materials and craftsmen to build David's palace ([1 Chronicles 14:1-2](/1-chronicles/14-1 "1 Chronicles 14:1-2 - Hiram Builds David's Palace")), signifying David's established rule and international recognition. The mention of David's expanding family serves as an internal consolidation of his power, complementing the external recognition. It precedes David's significant military victories over the Philistines ([1 Chronicles 14:8-17](/1-chronicles/14-8 "1 Chronicles 14:8-17 - David Defeats the Philistines")) and, more importantly, the pivotal event of bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem in [1 Chronicles 15](/1-chronicles/15 "1 Chronicles 15 - David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem"). This verse is a parallel to [2 Samuel 5:13](/2-samuel/5-13 "2 Samuel 5:13 - David's Wives and Concubines in Jerusalem"), indicating its importance as a factual record of David's domestic life during his early reign in the new capital.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the practice of kings taking multiple wives was common. This was often driven by political motivations, such as forming alliances with other kingdoms, or by the desire to ensure a large and secure line of succession. A king's numerous wives and children were widely perceived as indicators of his wealth, power, and the overall stability of his kingdom. David, having just established Jerusalem as his capital, was in the process of consolidating his rule and asserting his authority. While polygamy was culturally prevalent, the Mosaic Law, as seen in [Deuteronomy 17:17](/deuteronomy/17-17 "Deuteronomy 17:17 - Restrictions on Kings"), warned against kings multiplying wives excessively, recognizing the potential for their hearts to turn away from God. This cultural norm, though widespread, stood in contrast to God's original design for marriage as a monogamous union, established in [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - God's Design for Marriage").
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Chronicles. Primarily, it underscores the **expansion and consolidation of the Davidic kingdom**. As David's personal household grows, it symbolically mirrors the increasing strength and stability of his reign in Jerusalem. It also implicitly touches upon the theme of **divine providence amidst human choices**. Despite David's choices, including polygamy, which deviated from God's ideal, God continued to work through him to establish the promised Davidic dynasty ([2 Samuel 7:12](/2-samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12 - The Davidic Covenant")). The Chronicler's inclusion of this detail, therefore, serves not as an endorsement of polygamy, but as a factual statement affirming the growth and legitimacy of the Davidic line, which was central to God's covenant promises and the future hope of the Messiah. Furthermore, it highlights the Chronicler's emphasis on **lineage and succession**, crucial for understanding the continuity of God's redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Took (Hebrew, _laqach'_):** This verb, a very common one in Hebrew, means "to take, seize, or acquire." In the context of marriage, as used here, it specifically refers to the act of taking a wife. The use of "took" rather than "married" emphasizes David's active role and agency in expanding his marital household. It signifies a deliberate act of acquiring additional wives, which was a common practice for monarchs in the ancient world to solidify power, form alliances, and ensure a large progeny for succession.
* **Begat (Hebrew, _yalad'_):** This verb means "to bear, bring forth, or beget." It is a fundamental term for procreation and the establishment of lineage. Its inclusion here directly links the taking of additional wives to the resultant increase in David's offspring. The emphasis on "more sons and daughters" highlights the fruitfulness of these unions and underscores the growth of David's family, which was vital for the continuation of the royal line and was seen as a sign of divine blessing and prosperity in ancient Near Eastern culture.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David took more wives at Jerusalem:"** This clause details David's actions in expanding his marital household after establishing Jerusalem as the capital of his unified kingdom. The phrase "more wives" indicates that these were additional unions beyond those he had already formed (e.g., in Hebron). These marriages were likely undertaken for a combination of reasons, including political consolidation, securing alliances, and simply increasing his progeny as was customary for kings. The specific mention of "at Jerusalem" grounds this expansion in the new political and religious center of Israel, signifying a new phase of his reign.
* **"and David begat more sons and daughters."** This second clause describes the direct outcome of David's expanded family. The emphasis on "more sons and daughters" highlights the successful procreation and the growth of his lineage. For the Chronicler, this multiplication of offspring is significant because it underscores the flourishing of David's kingdom and the divine blessing on his reign, even if the means (polygamy) were not in line with God's original ideal for marriage. This increase in progeny was crucial for ensuring dynastic stability and the continuation of the royal line, which held immense theological importance for the future of God's covenant promises.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Factual Reporting**, presenting a straightforward and unadorned account of David's actions without explicit moral commentary or judgment. This directness is characteristic of the Chronicler's style, which often focuses on the establishment and legitimacy of the Davidic monarchy. The **Repetition** of "David" at the beginning of both clauses ("And David took... and David begat...") emphasizes his central role as the active subject, underscoring his agency in the expansion of his household and lineage. There is also a subtle **Juxtaposition** between the preceding verses, which describe Hiram's aid in building David's physical palace, and this verse. The building of David's external, political power (the palace) is immediately followed by the building of his internal, familial power (his household), suggesting a holistic picture of his kingdom's growth and stability.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while a simple historical record, contributes significantly to the broader biblical narrative concerning kingship, covenant, and divine faithfulness. It illustrates the human reality of a king operating within cultural norms (polygamy) that diverged from God's original design for marriage. Yet, it simultaneously highlights God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with David. Despite David's imperfect choices and the potential for internal strife that polygamy often brought, God continued to work through his lineage to establish the royal dynasty from which the Messiah would eventually come. The Chronicler's inclusion of this detail, mirroring [2 Samuel 5:13](/2-samuel/5-13 "2 Samuel 5:13 - David's Wives and Concubines in Jerusalem"), is less about endorsing the practice of polygamy and more about affirming the growth and legitimacy of David's royal line—a line chosen by God for a specific redemptive purpose.

* [Deuteronomy 17:17](/deuteronomy/17-17 "Royal Restrictions on Wives")
* [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2-samuel/7-12 "The Davidic Covenant")
* [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "God's Original Design for Marriage")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 14:3 invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between divine sovereignty and human choices, even those that fall short of God's ideal. David, though described as "a man after God's own heart," was a flawed human being, and his actions, such as taking multiple wives, brought significant challenges and moral compromises into his family life, as evidenced elsewhere in his story. Yet, God's overarching plan for the Davidic dynasty and the coming Messiah was not thwarted by human imperfection. This reminds us that God often works through flawed individuals and circumstances to accomplish His perfect will, demonstrating His grace, patience, and unwavering faithfulness. For believers today, this verse encourages a realistic view of biblical figures, acknowledging their humanity and failings, while simultaneously affirming God's ability to redeem and use even imperfect situations for His glory. It also underscores the enduring importance of God's original design for marriage as a monogamous union, even when the historical narrative records deviations from that ideal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's faithfulness to His covenant with David, despite David's imperfections, encourage you in your own walk of faith and understanding of God's grace?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the Bible's realistic portrayal of its heroes, and why is that important for our understanding of God's work in the world?**
* **In what ways can we apply the principle of God working through imperfect people to our own lives and the church today, fostering both grace and a pursuit of God's ideal?**

### FAQ

**Was polygamy endorsed by God in the Old Testament?**

Answer: While polygamy was practiced by many prominent figures in the Old Testament, including David, it was never God's ideal design for marriage. From the beginning, [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - God's Design for Marriage") establishes a monogamous union: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." The Mosaic Law, in [Deuteronomy 17:17](/deuteronomy/17-17 "Deuteronomy 17:17 - Royal Restrictions on Wives"), specifically warned kings against multiplying wives excessively, recognizing the dangers it posed to their hearts and their leadership. Throughout the biblical narrative, polygamy is often associated with strife, jealousy, and moral compromise within families (e.g., the stories of Abraham, Jacob, and Solomon). The Bible records the practice as a historical reality but does not endorse it as God's will or ideal for humanity.

**Why does the Chronicler include this detail about David taking more wives and having more children?**

Answer: The Chronicler's primary purpose in writing was to affirm the legitimacy of the Davidic dynasty and the centrality of the Jerusalem temple, especially for the post-exilic community. By stating that "David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters," the Chronicler emphasizes the **expansion and consolidation of David's kingdom** and the **establishment of a secure lineage**. In the ancient Near East, a king's large family and numerous offspring were seen as signs of divine blessing, prosperity, and dynastic stability. This detail, therefore, serves to underscore the strength and flourishing of David's reign, laying the groundwork for the promise of an enduring dynasty through which the Messiah would come, as detailed in [2 Samuel 7](/2-samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"). It's a factual statement highlighting the growth of the royal house and the fulfillment of God's promise to build David a lasting house.

**How does this verse relate to the parallel account in 2 Samuel?**

Answer: 1 Chronicles 14:3 is a direct parallel to [2 Samuel 5:13](/2-samuel/5-13 "2 Samuel 5:13 - David's Wives and Concubines in Jerusalem"), which states, "And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David." The Chronicler's account is slightly condensed but conveys the same essential information: David's expansion of his household in Jerusalem. The Chronicler often reinterprets or emphasizes certain aspects of the Deuteronomistic History (Samuel-Kings) to suit his theological agenda, which focuses on the positive aspects of David's reign and the legitimacy of the Davidic line. The inclusion of this detail in both accounts underscores its importance as a factual record of David's established kingship and the growth of his royal family, which was crucial for the continuity of the Davidic covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 14:3 describes the expansion of David's physical lineage through multiple wives and children, its ultimate significance points forward to Jesus Christ, the true and eternal Son of David. The multiplication of David's sons and daughters was crucial for the continuation of the Davidic line, from which God promised a king whose throne would be established forever ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2-samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant")). Jesus, born of the virgin Mary, is explicitly identified as a descendant of David, fulfilling these ancient prophecies ([Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Prophecy of Jesus' Kingship")). Unlike David, whose kingdom expanded through physical procreation and earthly power, Christ's kingdom expands through spiritual birth and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, as people are born again into His eternal family ([John 3:3-8](/john/3-3 "John 3:3-8 - You Must Be Born Again")). Furthermore, while David took "more wives," Christ has one glorious Bride, the Church, whom He loves and for whom He gave Himself up, presenting her as holy and blameless ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church")). His "progeny" are not biological descendants but all who believe in Him, making Him the head of a vast spiritual family that transcends earthly lineage and endures for eternity, fulfilling God's promises in a far grander and more perfect way than any earthly king could.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.