Did David have wives before or after his partnership with Jonathan?

by Bonita
(St Clair, MO)


Rick Brentlinger Answers -

Excellent question Bonita! The Bible shows David and Jonathan meeting when David was a teenager, approximately 15 years to 20 years old, 1 Samuel 17:33,56.

The Hebrew words King Saul uses to describe David are, na`ar, נער, from 1 Samuel 17:33 and `elem, עלם from 1 Samuel 17:56.

Depending on context, na`ar can describe a baby boy up to a young adult male. Because David was a teenager old enough to care for his father's sheep and to fight and kill a lion and a bear, the Hebrew word, na`ar, in this usage, means a teenage young man.

`elem describes a teenager who has reached puberty, 1 Samuel 17:56. David was old enough to travel by himself, taking food to his brothers who served in Saul's army. And he was considered old enough to fight Goliath. This makes him between 15 to 20 years old in 1 Samuel 17.

There is nothing in the Bible which indicates that Jonathan or David was married at the time they met, 1 Samuel 18:1-3. Both were young men, with Crown Prince Jonathan being perhaps a few years older than David.

David's Many Wives,
2 Samuel 3:3ff.

"And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron."
- 2 Samuel 3:2-5.

King David's wives also included Princess Michal, King Saul's daughter, 2 Samuel 3:13-14,

Bath-Sheba, 2 Samuel 11:27,

plus King Saul's wives, who were given to David by God to be his wives, 2 Samuel 12:7-8,

plus David's concubines, 2 Samuel 19:5.


Read more about David's romantic partnership with Jonathan.

God put the focus on the Jonathan and David story.

There is additional information about David and Jonathan's partnership in my book, Gay Christian 101.

Comments for Did David have wives before or after his partnership with Jonathan?

Click here to add your own comments

Mar 14, 2016
The word used for David and Jonathan
by: AlJay

Just a question. I was searching for the word use to describe the love between David and Jonathan because of your site about them,

the most common story between them is friendship; but you said that they are not just friend because Jonathan was naked(as we assumed because of what he did in front of David); and it doesn't have any meaning of like a gesture that Jonathan did like he is acknowledging that David was anointed by God to be the next king, which is Jonathan should be the next one because he's Saul son, but Jonathan's act was like giving him his throne to David something like that.

then Saul didn't let him go back to their house. Is it not because that "knit soul" scene was like an adopting David. That knitting out soul is like a family being knitted together.

and my last question is, it was said that the word used for their love was "phileo/philia", for brotherly love, or like best friends in out time.

And knowing this, it's kind of it's also a good point right. I'm sorry if I can't discuss it properly but I search for such things and this is what I found out that's contrary to your explanation for David and Jonathan.

Rick's comment: Hi AlJay - Thanks for the good questions. I don't have a lot on my website that answers your questions about David and Jonathan. I do have about 80 pages in my book, about David and Jonathan.

If you'll use the Contact Us button on my NavBar and provide an email address, I'll be happy to email my David and Jonathan chapter to you so you can read it - please let me know it is you when you email - I get so much email so please use AlJay in the email and let me know you want the David and Jonathan chapter. I don't have room here in the Comments section, to post that much information.

Hope this is helpful.

What must I DO to be saved?

Mar 21, 2016
Book
by: AlJay

Hello brother Rick thank you for responding, I thought I didn't successfully sent my comment because it's been a week. I actually bought the book but unfortunately I still haven't receive it and I'm much more excited now hahaha. I hope that question will be answers in the book when I read it :) Thank you very much for all the efforts you put for everyone and the truth is, this page made me know God more and give me really the push to know the truth in God's words and things that I haven't know :) May God Bless and guide you brother Rick :)

Rick's comment: Hi AlJay - Sometimes it takes me a while to work through the comments and emails I receive.

What name did you use to buy my ebook? I don't have any record of AlJay buying my ebook.

Mar 22, 2016
Buying the book
by: AlJay

Hello again Brother Rick - It's okay :)

I didn't know how to order online actually and I ask my sister to buy me a paperback (because I like flipping pages and save it physically) of the book through online.

Books like this are not available in our country so that's what I did. I didn't know what account or something she did/do or use, she's not here in our country and shipping is available where she is. So that's why you didn't found my name on it :) though I'm still not sure if they have it or already buy it because we're still unable to talk to each other :)

Sorry if you look for my name and didn't found it.

Rick's comment: Hi AlJay - Thanks for letting me know. I think the only place my book is available now is on Amazon and the people selling it are asking outrageous prices. I have no connection to any of those sellers.

Mar 24, 2016
book
by: AlJay

Ohh :( I hope they still haven't bought it. When do you think your book will be available?

Rick's comment: Hi AlJay - I don't know but probably it will be a year or more. I've put the book on the back burner while I try to earn some income.

I will email you a free copy of my eBook if you want it, if it is safe for you to receive it there.

Mar 24, 2016
BOOK! :D
by: AlJay

Ohh yes please brother Rick! I've really want to read it!

Rick's comment: I'll need an email address to send it to - I won't publish your email address here.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Ask A Question.

Enjoy this page? Get the html to share it with others.

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.
Site Build It! Site Build It!