1 Samuel 25:43
David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִֽיִּזְרְעֶ֑אל
of Jezreel
H3157
מִֽיִּזְרְעֶ֑אל
of Jezreel
Strong's:
H3157
Word #:
5 of 10
jizreel, the name of two places in palestine and of two israelites
וַתִּֽהְיֶ֛יןָ
H1961
וַתִּֽהְיֶ֛יןָ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 10
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
גַּֽם
H1571
גַּֽם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
7 of 10
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
Cross References
Joshua 15:56And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah,1 Samuel 27:3And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife.1 Samuel 30:5And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.2 Samuel 3:2And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
Historical Context
Multiple wives indicated status and provided political alliances in ancient Near Eastern culture. The Mosaic law regulated but did not prohibit polygamy (Deuteronomy 21:15-17). David eventually had at least eight wives, contributing to family dysfunction.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Scripture's honest recording of David's polygamy differ from endorsement?
- What complications did multiple marriages create for David's household and succession?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives.
The narrative notes David's polygamy without explicit moral comment. Ahinoam of Jezreel (a town in Judah, not the northern valley) became David's wife apparently during this same period. The phrase 'both of them his wives' acknowledges the reality that ancient Near Eastern rulers commonly had multiple wives. This practice, while tolerated in the Old Testament, consistently produced family conflict—David's household would later suffer severely from the complications of polygamy. The narrative records without endorsing, demonstrating Scripture's honest portrayal of figures it otherwise commends. David's acquisition of multiple wives foreshadows troubles his household would endure.