king david David's Third Wife

[Juna]

I am reading the Book of David and I've come across something that's confuddled me. He marries Abigail before Ahinoam, but Ahinoam is called David's second wife and Abigail his third. I really like the story of how David met Abigail, and basically just the story of David in general, but I am always a little confused whenever I think too hard on it.

[In the Clouds]

I love the story of Abigail and her role in God's plan to support David and his men.  She became David's second wife upon the death of her husband Nabal.  But, as you say she is "ranked" as David's third wife because Ahinoam had David's eldest son.  It was a matter of familial priority.

[Coruscating]

Edit: I misunderstood your question! Sorry.

Edited May 28, 2024 by Coruscating

[farouk]

On 5/28/2024 at 6:50 AM, Juna said:

I am reading the Book of David and I've come across something that's confuddled me. He marries Abigail before Ahinoam, but Ahinoam is called David's second wife and Abigail his third. I really like the story of how David met Abigail, and basically just the story of David in general, but I am always a little confused whenever I think too hard on it.

Hi @Juna Some of the genealogies in the Old Testament particularly are quite complex.........

It's a blessing that for the NT believer in Christ that spiritual life does not come via earthly ties.

[Truswell]

You may already know, but the family tree goes through the female line. 

[Jayne]

On 5/28/2024 at 5:50 AM, Juna said:

I am reading the Book of David and I've come across something that's confuddled me. He marries Abigail before Ahinoam, but Ahinoam is called David's second wife and Abigail his third. I really like the story of how David met Abigail, and basically just the story of David in general, but I am always a little confused whenever I think too hard on it.

Anihoam's son was David's first born son - so that makes her status ahead of the other women.

It just breaks my heart that David had multiple wives as Deuteronomy 17:17 gives the command for kings NOT to have multiple wives.  And his son, Solomon followed his lead and had 1000 wives and concubines and it ruined him spiritually.

[In the Clouds]

Some men must have had some spare ribs to have so many help mates.  

[Neighbor]

A little summary from Got Questions: "David had eight named wives, others unnamed, and an unknown number of concubines. From these unions, the Bible names nineteen sons and one daughter, Tamar (1 Chronicles 3:1–9). If we count the son who died in infancy after having been conceived through David’s adulterous relationship with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:16–23), David had at least twenty-one children by his wives, plus an unknown number by his many concubines."

[Neighbor]

On 7/21/2024 at 6:15 AM, Truswell said:

You may already know, but the family tree goes through the female line. 

And yet - Matthew 1

[Truswell]

29 minutes ago, Neighbor said:

And yet - Matthew 1

I know. Matthew gives Joseph's line. Luke gives Mary's line, and to be recognised as fully Jewish, a person needs to be born of a Jewish mother.